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Katy Sue is the new home of Kanban Crafts

Katy Sue is the new home of Kanban Crafts

Katy Sue, one of the UK’s fastest growing craft businesses, has today acquired one of their largest competitors in a significant UK and international expansion. The fast-growing craft business, which is implementing a buy and build strategy to consolidate the highly fragmented craft market has completed the acquisition of the trading assets of Kanban Crafts, a well-loved papercraft brand made popular on shopping TV in the UK and Germany.

Having grown rapidly by acquisition over the past four years, Katy Sue headed by founder Sue Balfour and experienced entrepreneur Neil Stephenson, has completed five bolt-on acquisitions in recent times but this more significant acquisition moves the business to a platform of size and scale in the papercrafts segment. The acquisition of Kanban is one of a number of deals the business is currently looking at as it continues to build a family of well-loved craft brands.

Yorkshire based Kanban brings complimentary papercraft manufacturing capability along with more than 20 years of designs and creative content. Popular with card making fans, the brand is known both in the UK and Germany where it will continue to trade. Sue Balfour explains,

“I have been a Kanban fan for a long time, appreciating their constant innovation and incredible foiling detail. We are delighted to bring yet another quality UK manufactured product range to Katy Sue HQ. Our plan is to quickly relocate the business to our factory in South Shields and bring the brand back to TV and online during March. We can assure all Kanban fans that we will shortly return to the airwaves on Create and Craft and QVC Germany.”

Commenting on the deal, Paul Wright, Chairman of Hochanda Global Ltd, owners of Create and Craft TV added,

“We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with Katy Sue and of course Kanban at this very exciting time for the channel. Kanban has been the premier supplier for card making kits to Create and Craft over many years and we and their army of fans look forward to seeing the new products arriving on our screens soon”.

Katy Sue has grown to over 30 staff during the pandemic and is investing heavily in its TV presence and ecommerce capability, specifically its own websites and marketplaces such as Amazon. This expansion is part of the company’s plans to grow revenues to £10m, employing over 100 staff by the end of 2025.

 

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Comments

Patricia Lawson - April 19, 2023

Great that Kanban will be available at Katy sue. Love their card.

Beryl Burroughs - October 14, 2022

Hello oh I have been so pleased to read that your company has purchased Kanban. I have always loved almost everything that they made. I have almost run out of kits that I purchase when I heard the company was closing down. I think you will appreciate why I am feeling so pleased. Good Luck with getting Kanban back to where it belongs.

Peter Welch - April 19, 2023

Great News congratulations. Can’t wait for new designs Decoupage

Judy Decker - April 19, 2023

Really excited about your acquisition of Kanban. Love their products. Have watched them on Create and Craft for several years. Enjoy Mr. Smith, he is a hoot.

Debbie Doughty - April 19, 2023

Oh wow. Can’t wait to see what is coming next. As I’m a big fan of Katy Sue and Kanban for my card making looking to be buying more products soon

Sandra Buckley - April 19, 2023

What good news love Katy sue and kanban the two together are the best thing ever and to be based in South shields is brilliant. Look forward to hearing your news and updates soon xxxx 💖

Manjula Mahanama - April 19, 2023

Best wishes. Really love your productions.

Jayne Sheldon - April 19, 2023

This is brilliant news for many crafters out there,thanks to Katy Sue designs. X

yvonne parker - April 19, 2023

good luck

Susan Fereday - April 19, 2023

I use to buy a lot of Kanban crafts the Decoupage sheets were lovely especially the die cuts
So I’m glad it’s back. Many thanks

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