Headwear Manufacturer Imperial Acquires Pukka

BOURBON, MISSOURI (May 21, 2024) – Imperial, a headwear manufacturer founded in 1916 and owned by Kansas City, Missouri-based investment firm CPC, announced it has completed the acquisition of Pukka, Inc., based in Findlay, Ohio. The Company reported the management team and operations at Pukka will remain in place.

“Imperial is a brand rich in heritage and traditional styling with a modern twist,” said Todd Johnson, CEO of Imperial. “Pukka is a very innovative brand with an energy that speaks to an audience distinct from Imperial. We believe both brands can co-exist by running them separately and keeping their personalities true to their DNA. I am thrilled to partner with the Pukka brand and management team, and look forward to a bright future ahead with both Imperial and Pukka continuing to service their loyal customers.”

“While the ownership of Pukka will change, our core values, vision, and dedication to ‘Be Original’ will remain deeply rooted in our culture,” said Shawn Rogers, Founder and CEO of Pukka. “Imperial, and its unbelievable ownership group at CPC, is going to be a great partner with vast resources that can help us accelerate a range of growth and operational initiatives for years to come.”

Imperial was CPC’s first acquisition in late 2021.

“As we embark on this exciting new chapter of our organization, it is essential to acknowledge and honor the foundation upon which both the Imperial and Pukka brands were built,” said David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales at Imperial. “I’ve long admired the culture and style that Pukka brings to headwear, and really could not be more excited to join forces with the great team they have built. On behalf of everyone at CPC and Imperial, I welcome everyone at Pukka to our family.”

Imperial was founded in 1916 and sells products to several markets, including Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), golf, corporate and supply chain channels. Imperial was voted the No. 1 headwear brand in golf for seven consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM). Pukka is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom headwear in the golf, action sports and team sporting goods markets.