SwimWays acquires CoopSport International

-- Casual Living, 4/13/2009 11:28:00 AM

SwimWays, a leading manufacturer of pool and outdoor recreational products, has acquired the company name and product line of CoopSport International, a fashion forward active lifestyle company. The combined entity will operate under ownership of SwimWays, based in Virginia Beach, Va. Under terms of the transaction, Coop will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SwimWays with both the SwimWays and Coop names retained. 

 "SwimWays’ goal is to continue to provide the most entertaining and fun products that feature only the very best value and quality," said David Arias, president, SwimWays. "The addition of the Coop brand provides us with an opportunity to offer consumers an extended range of exciting innovative products and expand our presence in the marketplace."

 "Coop and SwimWays are both recognized for their innovation and the quality of their products,” said Scott Cooper, president, Coop. "It is that commitment to ingenuity and creativity that makes this a great fit and an exciting opportunity to expand the reach of the product line under the global SwimWays brand." 

 The Coop line includes action-packed toys, games and sporting equipment for the pool and beach. Scott Cooper will continue in product development of the Coop Division of SwimWays.  

 With distribution in more than 35,000 storefronts, the acquisition joins CoopSport International with two brands currently held by SwimWays Corporation:  SwimWays and Kelsyus. With offices in Hong Kong, Europe and the United States, the company’s diverse staff is passionate about developing fun and engaging products for children. They are equally passionate about making sure kids are safe in and around the water and believe learning to swim is an important life skill. 

In January 2007, SwimWays began donating 2% of wholesale sales of its Swim Steps product line to Operation Smile. To date, the program has provided facial reconstructive surgeries to more than 1,600 kids around the world. For more information about SwimWays, visit www.swimways.com.