Blue Moon acquires ad specialty firm

Having completed an acquisition that doubled its size, Reno's Blue Moon Promotions is looking to extend its reach into new markets.

The company, which markets promotional products, corporate apparel and graphic design services, acquired Advertising Specialty Company of Sparks from Rick and Joleen Heckman.

Both companies are privately held, and terms weren't disclosed.

Klaus Grimm, who owns Blue Moon with his wife, Kristin, said the two companies had substantial overlap in their product lines, and the combination will provide economies of scale.

"We can negotiate better pricing with our suppliers," Grimm said.

Advertising Specialty Company had been in business more than 60 years and brings longstanding customer relationships into the newly merged company, Grimm said.

Blue Moon, which has been in business about 13 years, had stronger in-house graphics and production services, he said.

Promotional products and corporate apparel account for about 80 percent of Blue Moon's sales after the acquisition. Graphic design services account for the remainder.

With the acquisition, Blue Moon grows to 14 employees from seven and it's headquartering them all in a 3,000-square-foot facility at 8545 Double R Blvd. That works, Grimm said, because sales people are based in home offices.

Grimm said the acquisition creates an advertising specialties companies that's among the largest in Nevada and northern California.

The company, which already has handled work in Las Vegas, will be looking for expansion possibilities in southern Nevada, northern California and Utah. Grimm said the company will look either for further acquisitions or organic growth to tap those markets.