Centric Brands Expands Cold-Weather Reach with Key Fownes Brothers Acquisition

Centric Brands has announced the acquisition of select assets from Fownes Brothers & Co., a move designed to bolster its brand portfolio and solidify its position within the cold-weather accessories market. The acquisition signifies a strategic expansion for Centric Brands, a U.S.-based management firm, as it seeks to scale its operations and enhance its market reach.

A key component of the deal involves the transfer of crucial licenses to Centric Brands, including those for prominent brands like Ugg, Timberland, and Cole Haan. In addition to these licenses, Centric Brands will also assume existing private label manufacturing agreements with leading athletic and lifestyle brands, The North Face and Lululemon. This expansion of manufacturing partnerships demonstrates Centric Brands’ commitment to serving a diverse customer base and catering to evolving market demands.

To lead the newly acquired division, Andrew Gluckman will be joining Centric Brands as Senior Vice President and Division Head of Cold Weather. Gluckman’s expertise will be instrumental in overseeing the integrated licenses and driving the continued growth of Centric Brands’ broader cold-weather accessories division. His appointment underscores the company’s focus on leveraging industry knowledge to maximize the potential of the acquired assets.

Jason Rabin, CEO of Centric Brands, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating that welcoming Andrew Gluckman and the Fownes Brothers legacy aligns with the company’s growth strategy. Rabin emphasized the importance of developing scalable brands across key categories and highlighted how this acquisition accelerates that approach, expanding capabilities and positioning the business for long-term, profitable growth. Centric Brands’ existing portfolio includes well-known names such as Avirex, Fiorelli, Hudson, Robert Graham, and Taste Beauty.

Fownes Brothers & Co. boasts a rich history, having been established in 1777 by Tom Gluckman and the Gluckman Family as a leather glove manufacturer in Worcester, England. Over the centuries, the company evolved into a respected importer and distributor of both licensed and private label cold-weather accessories, building a strong reputation for quality and reliability.