Following Clearwater, Florida-based Koozie Group‘s (PPAI 114187, Platinum) merger with fellow Sunshine State hard goods leader Garyline (PPAI 112004, Platinum) in April, both PPAI 100 suppliers will operate under the Koozie Group name beginning in January 2026, according to the combined firm.
As a result, the Garyline brand will continue to be offered through Koozie Group, which was acquired by private equity firm Mill Point Capital in the spring. Garyline was already a company in the Mill Point Capital portfolio.
- Koozie Group had previously been owned by H.I.G. Capital, which acquired it from BIC Group in 2017.
There is no immediate change to the day-to-day operations for either supplier. Koozie Group says it will have a single ordering process in place by January 2026, and both teams will communicate specific information regarding this change with customers and vendors as it becomes available.
Pierre Montaubin
CEO, Koozie Group
According to the new private equity ownership, the merger is intended to enhance customer service capabilities, broaden product offerings and improve operational scale. An announcement noted the companies’ complementary strengths in product manufacturing, branding and U.S.-based production.
- Koozie Group, which ranked No. 11 in the 2025 PPAI 100, reported $304 million in revenue for 2024, though its sales have slipped slightly since 2021, falling 1.3% over the three-year span.
- Garyline ranked No. 31 in PPAI’s 2025 measure of industry leading suppliers. It reported $57.4 million in promo revenue last year, with sales up 2.5% since 2021.
“We are excited about the growth opportunities created by Mill Point Capital’s ownership,” Koozie Group CEO Pierre Montaubin said in April. “This new financial support allows us to enhance our customer-centric focus through investments in our people, innovation and technology. We will continue delivering top brands, quick turnaround times and plenty of easy-to-use services that will help our customers grow.”
Changes To Expect In 2026
Beginning in January 2026, pricing will default to the current Koozie Group structure, including discount codes, according to the firm.
Garyline’s PPAI number will remain for an extended period so customers and industry search portals can utilize it for cross-referencing purposes. Garyline website functionality will remain unchanged until the cutover date, and all Garyline products will be live and orderable on the Koozie Group website.
“Koozie Group and Garyline teams have been working together since April to align and streamline our processes,” the firm said in its FAQ sheet. “We’re integrating to create one of the largest and most diversified suppliers of promotional products in North America. The combined company’s domestic manufacturing footprint will reflect a shared commitment to creating one of the best-positioned industry portfolios of high-quality products made or assembled in the USA with reliable lead times and a customer-focused approach.”
A Strategic Step
Mill Point Capital described the M&A move as a strategic step toward building a more competitive and comprehensive promo industry supplier, pointing to the combined company’s domestic manufacturing footprint.
“With this acquisition, we are creating one of the largest players in the promotional products space,” said Antony Besso, partner of operations at Mill Point and executive chairman of Garyline. “As the industry continues to evolve, we believe that scale and product breadth will be essential for serving customers efficiently and effectively.”
- In addition to its base in Florida, Koozie Group also decorates from facilities in Missouri and Minnesota. The company acquired IMAGEN Brands in 2020 and wrapped up consolidation of the brands early last year.
Similar Approaches
After more than six decades in New York City, Garyline began moving its operations to Florida in 2023, and announced the relocation’s completion last August at the same time it revealed Mill Point Capital’s investment. The firm employs more than 500 workers in the Tampa area.
“Our vision has always centered on customer performance, operational excellence and long-term investment in U.S. manufacturing,” Richard Hellinger, CEO of Garyline, said. “We are proud to build on that foundation and support our distributors with enhanced scale, expanded resources and unmatched product diversity.”
Richard Hellinger
CEO, Garyline
Koozie Group made real estate moves of its own recently, selling nearly $36 million worth of property in Florida last year, then leasing it back.
Both companies have taken significant steps toward corporate responsibility – Koozie Group with its Keep It. Give It. initiative, which has brought more than 75% of its products toward lessened environmental impact, and Garyline with its International Sustainability & Carbon Certified auditing and emphasis on post-consumer recycled content.
