NEWS

Jazwares acquires Wicked Cool Toys

Published on: 2nd October 2019

Headquartered in Bristol, Pennsylvania, Wicked Cool Toys is a rapidly growing company that designs, develops and produces licensed and owned properties, including plush, action figures, fashion accessories and games.

Alleghany Capital Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation, today announced that its subsidiary, Jazwares has acquired Wicked Cool Toys.

Judd Zebersky, chief executive officer and president of Jazwares, commented: “Led by Michael Rinzler, Jeremy Padawer, and Thomas Poon, Wicked Cool Toys has built an impressive reputation in the industry for spotting on-trend licences, reinvigorating nostalgic brands, and collaborating with inventors to develop new products. We are thrilled to partner with Wicked Cool Toys and its talented employees, leveraging the company’s offices in Pennsylvania, California and Hong Kong. Wicked Cool Toys will operate as a division of Jazwares and day-to-day operations will not be impacted by this transaction.”

Michael Rinzler, co-president and founding partner of Wicked Cool Toys, stated: “We are excited to join Jazwares and the Alleghany Capital family of companies. Jazwares is a perfect strategic and cultural fit for Wicked Cool Toys, driven by the vision and leadership of Judd and Laura Zebersky. In addition, we believe that Alleghany Capital’s long-term investment horizon and strategy of supporting entrepreneurial companies such as Jazwares and Wicked Cool Toys will accelerate our combined growth potential.”

Jeremy Padawer, co-president and partner of Wicked Cool Toys, added: “Jazwares’ product development expertise, global reach, and extreme passion for play will allow us to break new ground together in the toy industry and beyond.”

David Van Geyzel, president and chief executive officer of Alleghany Capital, added: “The Wicked Cool Toys transaction is the fourth acquisition by Jazwares since Alleghany Capital’s original investment in the company in 2013, and is consistent with Jazwares’ strategy of supplementing organic growth with strategic acquisitions. We look forward to supporting Jazwares and Wicked Cool Toys as they pursue numerous opportunities within the global toy market.”

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