ABC and JPMA Hold Press Conference on Proposed Merger

Jane Kitchen -- Gifts and Dec, 9/27/2011 4:44:37 PM

Dwyer, Mariotti, SchurLouisville -- A press conference held at the ABC Expo on Saturday was used to officially announce plans to bring together a unified ABC and JPMA, with Kelly Mariotti, who is leading the task group to merge the two groups, giving a statement to the industry. ABC chairman Jeff Seymour and JPMA executive director Mike Dwyer also spoke.
"JPMA and ABC have had a collaborative relationship for many years and work hand-in-hand in a number of different industry matters," said Mariotti. "The current discussions are a natural evolution of that working relationship."
Dwyer said that the JPMA board strongly believes in a unified industry.
"ABC runs a great juvenile products trade show and does much to enhance the specialty class of trade within our industry," said Dwyer. "Combined, we can accomplish all our goals and objectives more efficiently and with a greater sense of mission for the benefit of all."
Seymour said the discussions with JPMA create an opportunity to build on each of the two group's successes while creating a new operational structure.
"Our goal is not to create a short-term fix for something we perceive needs fixing, but rather an historic opportunity to restructure the industry's leadership to create the best possible model to address today's challenges and lead our industry into the future," he said.
Mariotti again emphasized that the discussions are in their beginning stages, and that industry input is essential.
"I have an open-door policy for discussion," she said. "I am at your disposal - please communicate with me."
In addition to Mariotti, Dwyer and Seymour, other Task Group members include JPMA Chairman Jason Macari of Summer Infant Products; JPMA Treasurer Dave Taylor of Dorel; JPMA Immediate Past Chairman Brenda Berg of Scandinavian Child; JPMA Board members Andy Newmark of Kolcraft and Keith Schneider of PEM America; ABC Secretary Ken Kaiser of Kidco; ABC Treasurer Beth Jarabek of Baby Furniture Plus Association; ABC Past Chairman Ken Goore of Goore's; and ABC President Larry Schur.
The task group will be hosting two post-show conference calls as vehicles for open dialogue: for manufacturers on October 18 at 2 p.m. and for retailers on October 19 at 2 p.m.