Lodis Accessories and The American Belt Company Merge

Kinderhook Industries announced the merger of its Lodis Accessories business with The American Belt Company; the combined companies will be known as American Accessories. Kinderhook did not disclose the terms of the deal.

Lodis CEO Adam Yuzuk will be the chief executive of the merged company and American Belt’s Michelle Ford will stay on.

“We are excited to welcome American Belt into the Lodis family,” commented Yuzuk. “The American Belt team has done an outstanding job becoming a leader in the men’s accessories market. American Belt and Lodis’ respective product mix complement one another as American Belt has a strong presence in men’s accessories and Lodis has a stronger presence in women’s accessories. The combination of Lodis and American Belt will strengthen the company’s position in the accessories market and position the company for continued success.”

Added Ford, “American Belt is entering into a new chapter and we are thrilled to be joining forces with the team at Lodis. The cultures of these two companies are a great fit. Both companies have entrenched industry relationships and we are looking forward to continuing to provide exceptional products.”

Lake Forest, Calif.-based Lodis is a leather goods maker with a strong presence in the women’s market. Harvey Mallis was brought on in August last year to build its men’s business. Kinderhook became a majority shareholder in 2006.

American Belt, founded by the Ford family in 1969, is based in Bensalem, Penn. The company makes men’s accessories under the Carhartt brand and for private label customers.