Plano Molding Co. has acquired fishing gear maker Frabill Inc. in a deal the acquirer said will help it expand its sales of tackle boxes and other storage gear for outdoor sportsmen.
The deal unites two iconic and complimentary Midwest fishing tackle brands whose products already sell side-by-side in many stores.
Frabill of Jackson, WI has been making a wide selection of landing nets, portable aeration systems, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, apparel and other fishing accessories for both fresh and salt water markets since 1938. Its ice fishing product mix consists of portable ice fishing shelters, ice fishing rods and combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, apparel and other ice fishing accessories.
Plano Molding Co. of Plano, IL is a leading provider of fishing tackle boxes and storage systems, archery cases and other fall sports products. It also makes Plano toolboxes, Tenzing hunting packs, Golf Guard golf club cases, Creative Options craft storage cases and Caboodles cosmetic cases.
“To accomplish the future growth objectives of the company, we sought a partner that could provide the necessary resources while maintaining the core values of service and quality our customers have come to expect,” said Frabill CEO Jeff Marble, whose family has owned Frabill for 29 years. “Plano’s excellent reputation with both fishermen and our retail partners made the decision an easy one.”
Frabill’s shareholders were advised by Joe Froehlich of Corporate Financial Advisers and William Soderstrom of Fox, O’Neill & Shannon. Michael Lusk of McGuireWoods LLP acted as legal counsel to Plano.
