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ToCAD AMERICA ACQUIRES HAKUBA USA IN AN AGREEMENT THAT INCREASES PHOTO INDUSTRY PRESENCE FOR BOTH COMPANIES
Parsippany, NJ and Los Alamitos, CA, USA – February 3, 2003: Two of the leading distributors/marketers of professional-quality photographic products and accessories announced that they have reached an agreement whereby ToCAD America has purchased the assets of Hakuba USA.
Based in New Jersey, ToCAD America is the North American provider of Sunpak&Mac226; brand photographic products, including flash systems, tripods, Memory-Free&Mac226; batteries, Picture-Plus‘ Filters, Prograin‘ in-camera filters, Zero Halliburton Cases, GE/Sanyo Lithium and Alkaline Batteries, plus SurroundPhoto and the VR Showcase System.
California-based Hakuba, USA (www.hakubausa.com) distributes Hakuba and Velbon tripods, aluminum and fabric camera cases and bags, digital and film camera accessories, and loupes.
According to ToCAD America President, Richard Darrow, “The synergy possible between Hakuba USA and ToCAD America is almost too great to imagine. Our plan is to continue sales autonomy between the two companies, to maintain operations on both the East and West Coasts, and to support our respective customers even more effectively than before. I look forward to working closely with Hakuba's Sam Shinoda, to increase the scope, brand image and sales of all Hakuba and Velbon products.”
Prior to the purchase of Hakuba USA’s assets by ToCAD America, the company was a subsidiary of Hakuba Photo Industry Co., Ltd, a premier OEM supplier to Japan’s photo industry.
“We are very pleased to now have ToCAD America as our marketing partner for Hakuba and Velbon products in the U.S.," said Hideyuki Minami, Senior Managing Director of
Hakuba Photo Industry Co., Ltd. "By strengthening Hakuba brand recognition in the United States, ToCAD will help us increase our global marketing position."
Mr. Shinoda commented, “The transition of Hakuba USA to a division of ToCAD America is a welcome journey. In the coming months I expect to see our brands reach new heights, as Richard and I explore ways to develop innovative products, enhance existing products and increase Hakuba’s US market share.”
ToCAD America Inc., a subsidiary of Japan’s ToCAD Co. Ltd., markets its products nationwide through photo and video specialty dealers, catalogs and national chains. In addition to photographic products, they are a world-class leader in the manufacture of rechargeable NiCad, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion batteries for camcorders, cellular telephones and private label applications.
For more information contact ToCAD America, 300 Webro Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054-2882 USA, 973 428-9800; www.tocad.com.
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