Mara-Mi Parent Purchased by Investors

Minneapolis—The recent purchaser of stationery vendor Mara-Mi, Diversified Graphics Inc. (DGI), was acquired by a group of financial investors and its senior management team. DGI's team, led by president Scott Morrow, and an investor group led by Iowa-based AAVN, purchased the $55 million company. DGI's two business sectors are printing services and social stationery products. In addition to Mara-Mi, DGI owns Paper Prince; the two divisions represent a $26 million social stationery products business. In 2004, DGI purchased Phoenix Direct, a mail, distribution, and fulfillment company. DGI was founded by the Gacek family in 1949, as a small print shop. “DGI is a strong and well-positioned company in today's print and stationery markets,” said Scott Morrow. “We have two businesses that are leaders in their industries.”Enesco to Give Up Precious MomentsItasca, IL — Enesco Group Inc. and Precious Moments Inc. (PMI), Elgin IL, agreed to transfer product development, sales, and distribution of the Precious Moments Collection from Enesco to PMI, the family-owned licensor of the Precious Moments name. The transfer will take place between July 1 and December 31, 2005. “Enesco and PMI will partner closely in this transition, whereby PMI will utilize Enesco's sales force for the remainder of the year, and will work closely with Enesco to transfer marketing efforts,” said PMI president Michael T. Gillen. Enesco chief executive Cynthia Passmore-McLaughlin said, “This is an important positive step for Enesco because it allows us to focus on our future growth in our gift and home and garden decor business.” Former Enesco chairman Eugene Freedman will serve as a goodwill ambassador for Precious Moments and PMI.