Imperial Headwear, Inc. has acquired Bellingham, Washington-based Watership Trading Companie, marketer and distributor of technically advanced weather and sun protection hats.  Watership founders Greg and Carol Frechette, who launched the company in 1989, will remain with the company and continue to lead the business in the areas of sales and product development, respectively. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.


“We are very pleased to add a company of the premium Watership caliber and reputation to the Imperial family,” said Rick White, president and CEO.  “With its expertise in sun protection technology, Watership is the perfect complement to the Imperial product line.  Our existing sourcing relationship with Watership made the transaction a logical fit with our concentration on the headwear business.  The demand for purposeful product is driving the headwear market and we are extremely pleased to be able to leverage the most advanced sun and weather technology developed to date.” 


Greg Frechette commented “We are extremely excited about the opportunity Watership now has to reach the next level in product development, service and sales.  We look forward to continuing our focus on design, quality and workmanship that has made our products successful for over 19 years.”