Colorbok Buys ANW/Creativity Works, Making Memories

Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Colorbök, LLC has announced that it has acquired ANW / Creativity Works, which is the parent company of the Making Memories, The Paper Company, Westrim, Crop In Style, Autumn Leaves and Hip in a Hurry brands.

ANW / Creativity Works is a new company that was just formed in November 2011 from the combination of ANW/Crestwood and Making Memories. In May 2010, ANW/Crestwood had closed a deal for the purchase of the brands Westrim Crafts, Autumn Leaves, DMD, Crop in Style, Hip in a Hurry, Room Relish and Paper Bliss from the struggling Creativity, Inc.

Colorbök has been around since 1984. They have a large presence in Wal-Mart's much-reduced scrapbooking section.

“We are tremendously excited to be able to work with Making Memories and ANW / Creativity Works.  We feel that we will be able to drive newness into the marketplace using all of the great brands which include Making Memories, The Paper Company, Westrim, Crop In Style, Autumn Leaves and Hip in a Hurry.  They are a great compliment to our memory and kids crafting business,” stated Colorbök Vice President Todd Spang

“We believe with this consolidation we will be better able to service our consumer with exciting new products,” stated Chuck McGonigle, Colorbök’s President and CEO.

So what does ANW / Creativity Works have that Colorbök wants? There's several benefits to Colorbök of the deal, which include a Michaels footprint, technology (the Slice), an organizing line, and an extensive back catalog of classic designs by Making Memories and Autumn Leaves. Making Memories has also had some success with bead products, which may appeal to Colorbök.