Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation has acquired Bell Automotive Products, a leading supplier of Interior Protection, Tire Safety and Vehicle Accessory products marketed under the Bell®, Victor and Monkey-Grip brands.
The combination of the Bell product offering, including Steering Wheel Covers, Seat Covers, Interior Organizers, License Plate Frames, Tire Safety and Emergency Kits, with the related Hopkins’ vehicle organization products creates the most comprehensive assortment of vehicle accessories available in North America, the company said.
“We are pleased to add Bell, one of the most recognized consumer brands in the industry, to Hopkins’ portfolio of consumer brands. The Bell brand draws on the rich heritage for protection and safety from its pioneering designs in auto racing, motorcycle and bicycle helmets, and will be a powerful asset for Hopkins,” said Bradley T. Kraft, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hopkins. “Bringing the array of vehicle accessories together under one supplier will be a win for our customers,” added Mr. Kraft.
“We’re very excited that Hopkins will build on the heritage of the Bell brand in automotive and continue its reputation for creativity long into the future,” said Kwai Kong, President and CEO of Bell. “Hopkins has an outstanding reputation in the industry and we could not think of a better partner to ensure the future for our company.”
As part of the acquisition, Hopkins will add distribution facilities in Urbandale, Iowa and offices in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Scottsdale office will become the home of the new vehicle accessory business. This will leverage the creative and design capabilities across the full range of Hopkins organization products and the Bell Protection, Tire Safety and Vehicle Accessory product lines.
Recent acquisitions by Hopkins include Mallory®, the market leader in Canada for snow tools and in North America for gas station squeegees; the fluid management drain pans and ramps of F3 Brands; Mr. Funnel®, a simple but effective line of portable fuel filters that remove water, dirt and debris from all types of fuels; and TowDaddy® line of towed vehicle wire harness kits.
Headquartered in Emporia, Kan., Hopkins is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of quality, innovative specialized towing products and functional accessories for the automotive and recreational vehicle aftermarkets.
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