News:


Top of the World, J. America Announce Merger

January 18, 2017

Licensed collegiate headwear supplier Top of the World LLC, Norman, Okla., and licensed and blank apparel distributor J. America Inc., Fowlerville, Mich., recently announced a merger agreement that will create a new company: Top of the World Holdings LLC.

The planned merger is scheduled to close by the end of January. The combined business will include four distribution facilities across Oklahoma and Michigan; a design center in Columbus, Ohio; a sales office in North Carolina; and a Hong Kong-based sourcing office.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the merger,” says Jeff Fenech, co-founder, J. America. “It will allow us to offer even more innovative products and designs to the market.”

Fenech will lead the new company’s wholesale blanks division, which supplies product under the J. America label to wholesale distributors and decorators across the country.


Scott Shuler, current president, of Top of the World LLC, will lead the new company’s licensed apparel and headwear operations as president of the licensed division. The new structure will enhance the entire end-to-end value chain by providing clients, retailers, licensing partners and consumers with a one-stop solution for industry leading headwear and apparel, according to the company.

“This merger allows a single company to better leverage our brand, secure additional product offerings and deepen our supplier relationships,” Shuler says.

The new company will have in its arsenal Top of the World’s more than 500 collegiate headwear and apparel licenses; an exclusive license with The Ohio State University for all headwear and apparel; headwear exclusives for the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma; more than 65 mass-market and mid-tier headwear exclusive agreements; and exclusive United States wholesale rights for all adult John Deere headwear and apparel, among other licensed consumer and athletic brands.

J. America also has established programs with The Ohio State University and John Deere, meaning Top of the World Holdings will be one of the largest and most diversified suppliers in the collegiate licensing and broader headwear and apparel industry.

Jeff Radway, J. America co-founder, will have a significant investment in the combined company, but plans to relinquish control of day-to-day operations, instead joining the board of directors and as a strategic advisor. Pete Ruhala, another J. America co-founder, will continue to lead the company’s local sportswear business. — J.L.