RPI acquires Paro Group

“Over the past 30 years, we have pioneered the mass customization industry by leveraging our consumer insight, creative product development expertise and developing the technology to manufacturer the highest quality personalized products for our customers,” said Rick Bellamy, CEO of RPI. “As mass customization continues to grow at an exponential rate, it requires state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and processes to remain agile as customers seek innovative, customizable and affordable products to meet consumer demand.”

The acquisition brings together two renowned innovators within the personalized consumer products industry. While both companies utilize lean manufacturing principles enabled by high-impact technologies, Paro Group brings a strong history in innovative manufacturing and process automation to RPI. Combining this expertise with RPI’s proven product design capabilities is expected to create a stronger distribution mass customization platform to customers around the world.

During the acquisition process, RPI will transition the Paro Group brand, including Paro Printing and Paro Books. Over the next few months, the company will evaluate when and how to retire the Paro Group brand and integrate it fully into the RPI corporate brand. Paro’s executive management team and more than 50 employees will join RPI to become RPI-Paro, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RPI. Frank Evers, the current Paro Chief Financial Officer, will take the role of general manager overseeing the day to day activities. Jan-Paul van den Hurk, owner and CEO of Paro Printing, will become the Senior Vice President of business development, while Paul Adriaans, Paro’s COO, will now serve as Senior Vice President of operations of RPI-Paro. Frank Evers will report to Rick Bellamy, RPI’s chief executive officer.