October 14, 2013 - Plano Molding Company (Plano) and Synergy Outdoors are pleased to announce a newly formed strategic merger called Plano Synergy Holdings. Plano is a leading brand in the fishing accessories market, and is the premier supplier of outdoor sports storage systems. Synergy Outdoors is a market leader in hunting-related products, and is home to a portfolio of market leading brands, including Wildgame Innovations, Barnett Outdoors, Ameristep Hunting Products, Flextone Game Calls, Halo Optics and Evolved Harvest & Habitats. Together, the companies will form one of the leading platforms in the outdoor products industry and will be ideally positioned to accelerate growth both organically and via acquisition.

Plano Synergy Holdings will be the market leader across multiple hunting and fishing product categories. 

Based in Plano, Illinois, and founded in 1932, Plano is recognized as the leading brand in fishing and fall sports markets where it proudly supplies tackle boxes, bait storage, gun cases, archery cases, and Frabill branded ice fishing, landing nets and live bait storage products. It also produces cases for cosmetics, tools and crafts, as well as storage containers and shelving for home and office. Plano is currently owned by management and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

Synergy Outdoors, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and founded in 2002 by Ryan Busbice, has grown rapidly since inception by developing industry leading brands, focusing on product innovation, and reliably delivering for its retail customers. Ryan, along with his brother Matt and father Bill, star in the hit television show "Wildgame Nation" which airs on the Outdoor Channel. Ryan and Matt will assume senior management positions with the combined company, and will join as significant shareholders in Plano Synergy Holdings.

"The Plano management team and I are extremely excited to be partnering with Ryan and Matt Busbice along with the wide range of talented personnel across Plano Synergy Holdings" stated Tom Hurt, the Company's President and CEO. Hurt added, "We look forward to working together to grow both the exciting Synergy portfolio of brands and Plano's heritage brands to their full potential. We plan to continue our dedication to exceeding our customer expectations in product innovation, market leadership and world-class customer service. An exciting new journey has just begun for our companies, our valued associates and the many market leading brands under the Plano Synergy umbrella."

Ryan Busbice said "Over the last decade we have sought to bring our passion for hunting to the marketplace by developing innovative products that make hunters more successful in the field. This combination will allow us to move towards our long-term vision of becoming a true year-round leader in the broader outdoor industry. Plano Synergy Holdings will be well positioned with leading brands across both hunting and fishing product categories. I am thankful for the true dedication of the Synergy team over the years, and I now look forward to also working with Tom Hurt and the rest of the Plano team to continue to serve our dedicated consumers and valued retail partners."