Zeon Acquires Wesco Limited

U.K. watch company Zeon has acquired Wesco Limited, U.K. supplier of licensed gifts, including watches and clocks to the U.K. and international markets.

Zeon acquired Wesco from Robert Hughes, who founded the company in 1987. Hughes will continue to head operations as managing director of Wesco Limited, supported by key members of the Wesco's design and sales teams.

Wesco has a portfolio of more than 20 licensed brands, including Star Wars, Doctor Who, Top Gear, Transformers, Bob the Builder, The Simpsons and Disney. It is the world's longest-running Simpsons licensee. Wesco is complementary to Zeon's existing licensee business, which comprises brands such as Bench, Braun and Fiorucci, as well as the Ingersoll brand owned by Zeon, and in the children's segment Ben 10, Barbie and Hello Kitty.

"Having been a long-time admirer of Zeon and its directors, I am genuinely delighted about the sale," says Hughes. "We have enjoyed an excellent relationship for more than 20 years and the prospects of what we can achieve as a combined entity are truly mouth-watering. Selling a business you founded is not a step taken easily; I am confident that Wesco will be in very good hands going forward."