The Wicks Group Acquires Gladson

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gladson Holdings, LLC ("Gladson" or the "Company"), announced that The Wicks Group of Companies, LLC ("Wicks"), a New York-based private investment firm, has completed the acquisition of the Company. The terms of the transaction, which closed on January 25, 2017, were not disclosed.

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Lisle, IL, Gladson is a leading provider of digital content and retail omni-channel optimization solutions for the consumer-packaged goods ("CPG") and fast-moving consumer goods ("FMCG") industries. Gladson delivers product data to support omni-channel initiatives that improve shopper engagement and that maximize efficiency within retail, online and logistics operations. The Company owns the largest proprietary product content library in the industry, containing more than 1 million individual products and 8 million product images. Its blue-chip client base includes some of the biggest household names in the CPG, FMCG, and retail industries.

"We are excited to partner with The Wicks Group as we build upon our past growth. Their deep domain expertise in technology-enabled business services and content will provide us with invaluable resources as we continue to expand our offerings to support  our customers, as they engage with today's mobile, omnichannel shopper," stated Sue Sentell, Gladson CEO and President.

"Gladson has established itself as a mission-critical partner to national and regional retailers, global manufacturers, and leading e-tailers by offering the largest content library in the CPG and FMCG industries. We are excited to work with the Company to continue to develop new product capabilities organically or through acquisitions in order to provide more value to Gladson's customers," said Thomas Kearney, Principal at Wicks.

Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel to Wicks.

Contact: Thomas Kearney, Principal, The Wicks Group of Companies; +1 (212) 838-2100; www.wicksgroup.com

ABOUT THE WICKS GROUP OF COMPANIES

The Wicks Group of Companies is a private investment firm based in New York City that invests in lower-middle-market companies operating in selected segments of the information and education industries principally in the United States and Canada.  Since its founding in 1989, Wicks has invested over $1 billion of capital in more than 35 platform companies and approximately 100 add-on acquisitions. The firm has applied a consistent investment strategy since its founding, partnering with high-quality, experienced management teams to build businesses organically and through acquisitions.

SOURCE The Wicks Group