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History

A success story of continued growth and development, starting out as an import pioneer to become a global leader in promotional products

70’s & 80’s

Start-up and early development as a lighter and gift importer

1973: creation of Polyflame (importer of lighters) as part of Borsumij (Dutch listed
trading company)

1979: diversification into writing instruments and gifts

1984: first Polyflame promotional products catalogue (launch of PF Concept)

1985: creation of Polyflame R&D studio and Hong-Kong sourcing office

1986: creation of Leed's in the US (supplier of retail bags), a family owned business

90’s

Development of the promotional products business

1992: creation of ADM

1992: introduction of promotional wearables

1992: Leed's enters the promotional products market

1995: Polyflame merges with Edelman (Home & garden decoration products)
and becomes Polyconcept

1995: Borsumij is acquired by Hagemeyer –an other trading company- on the
Dutch stock exchange

1999: Polyconcept acquired Clipper, a prominent promotional wearables supplier in Scandinavia

00's

Polyconcept becomes the worldwide leader of the promotional products industry

2000: first Polyconcept LMBO with BC Partners

2000: first Leed's LMBO with BancBoston Capital

2002-2005: divestment or cessation of Polyconcept's non-core activities:
Home/Garden decoration (Edelman, Eurodecor) and licensed retail gifts
(Tropico, Polyconcept USA)

2002-2004: selective strategic acquisitions (Greenland, Areka, Intermed)

2005: secondary LMBO with Investcorp; merger with Global Promo Group (Leed's, Marlow)
2006: acquisition of US promotional products supplier Bullet Line

2007: acquisition of US promotional stationery supplier Journalbooks