NEW YORK–The Zrike Company is expanding its business internationally through a joint venture with a Dutch supermarket specialist.
The tabletop company has signed an agreement with the Merison Group of the Netherlands, a company that specializes in selling non-food items to high-volume supermarket chains. The deal, which is expected to close on or prior to January 1, 2009, creates Merison USA, to be run by Zrike President David Zrike.
Merison USA will design tabletop and housewares products in many of its licensed brands including Kellogg’s, Campbell’s, Coca Cola (a new licensing partner) and Disney, and sell them throughout the world.
“To be successful, you need to have an international audience,” David Zrike said. He also plans to use Merison’s experience and expertise with supermarkets to improve Zrike’s penetration in supermarkets in the United States.
The partnership with Zrike gives Merison access to the American market. “This joint venture ... gives us entry into the biggest market in the world for our products through combining with a leader in the industry, including access to a great brand portfolio,” said Michael Moore, chief executive officer of Merison, in a statement.