Industry supplier Dard Products is under new ownership. The Evanston, Illinois, company has been acquired by athletic apparel manufacturer Official Issue, which will do business in the promotional products market under the Dard Products name.
Dard was founded by Jack Shevin in 1947. The legacy was carried on by his son, Cary Shevin, who chaired the company’s board until his passing in January of this year. Cary’s daughter, Bonni Shevin-Sandy, has served as CEO and president of Dard Products for several years.
Speaking to PPB Newslink, Shevin-Sandy said the company had been approached by several potential suitors since her father’s passing, although they had not been seeking a buyer. She says, “Scott [Palmberg, owner of Official Issue] has been a friend for 10 years and we’ve worked together before. We decided to sell to Scott because of what he brings to the table. That includes a product line that doesn’t overlap with what Dard offers.”
Shevin-Sandy will consult with Palmberg and Official Issue, although she has taken a position with National Pen as global design director. She brought several of her patents with her to the San Diego, California, supplier and will work with the company on its designs and intellectual property.
Official Issue will manufacture Dard Products’ goods at a new facility in Missouri and at its Tyler, Texas, location. Along with Shevin-Sandy, several key Dard staff members and salespeople will also continue with Official Issue.
Shevin-Sandy says, “Distributors can expect to see a vast array of new items available through Dard Products. Official Issue produces more than a thousand different products and is bringing them to the promotional market. Scott’s expertise in sporting goods and private label work—he makes products for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and others—will also be of value to the distributor community.”