Lighthouse for Blind-Saint Louis Acquires Assets of Badge Magic

Photo caption: LHB President John Thompson

September 26, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri… Effective September 21, 2018, Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis (LHB), a not-for-profit manufacturing and packaging organization with a dedicated social service mission (http://www.lhbindustries.com), acquired all assets of Badge Magic®, a company based in Bellevue, Washington (https://www.badgemagic.com). Badge Magic is a developer and supplier of “peel & stick” fabric adhesives for securing badges and other fabrics to clothing and uniforms, eliminating the need for sewing or ironing-on the fabric additions. Badge Magic is used by the Boy Scouts of America, Awana association of international evangelical Christian nonprofit organizations; and other major organizations in the U.S. and Canada as an approved alternative to sewing badges to uniforms.

The acquisition of Badge Magic assets closed September 21st and is the fourth acquisition by LHB Industries since 2014. It is expected to increase LHB revenues and employment by expanding operations, providing more employment for people who are blind or legally blind and increasing income to support Lighthouse “See the Future” programs for children and young adults who are legally blind in Missouri and southern Illinois.

Terms of the acquisition of privately-owned Badge Magic assets are not disclosed.

John Thompson, president of Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis, also known as LHB Industries., Inc., said, “Acquisition and integration of Badge Magic assets is an organic expansion of Lighthouse operations because product assembly and distribution are among our core competencies. This acquisition provides the Lighthouse with a line of popular branded products giving us entry to new retail markets in addition to our current business in consumer, government and military sales.”

“Badge Magic operations in Bellevue, Washington, will be closed and all existing inventory and customer service activities will be absorbed by our plant, warehouse and shipping operations in St. Louis County,” Thompson said.

Dave Herbig created Badge Magic in 2004 after searching for a better way to secure badges to Boy Scout uniforms. Dave and his wife, Danita, have been involved with the Boy Scouts for many years, and their product is available from numerous vendors inside and outside the Boy Scout world. He will be a Badge Magic consultant for LHB Industries.

Brian Houser, LHB director of sales and marketing, said, “Badge Magic markets include special interest groups such as the Boy Scouts and Awana, but also consumers, campers, outdoor enthusiasts and travelers. In addition, we expect to enter increasingly popular specialty markets for Comic-Cons and Cosplay fashion performers. We are very excited about this acquisition.”

LHB currently employs 48 people who are legally blind, and expects to hire at least two new legally blind employees because of this acquisition.

The Badge Magic acquisition is the fourth acquisition by LHB Industries since 2014. That year LHB acquired the popular Quake Kare/Emergency Ready brand of emergency survival kit products for consumers, business and other organizations (https://www.quakekare.com).

In 2015 LHB acquired the assets of Tear Mender all-natural, non-toxic adhesives and sealants for use by consumers. Tear Mender products are used to repair clothing, synthetic fabrics and other materials (https://www.tearmender.com).

In 2017 LHB acquired the RapidFix brand of adhesives. RapidFix offers a premium line of industrial and consumer bonding products that repair broken or damaged items that include rubber, glass, copper, aluminum, steel and most plastics (http://www.rapidfix.com).

Founded in 1933, Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to assist individuals who are legally blind maintain dignity and independence through gainful employment, education and support services.

All sales revenues directly support Lighthouse programs including Professional Career Development; Special Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students (STARS); Summer Jobs for Students; Continuing Education; Arts & Entertainment Accessibility; Low Vision Aid; and Low Vision Clinics throughout Missouri available for individuals who are legally blind and visually impaired in Missouri and Southern Illinois.

In addition to Badge Magic, Quake Kare, RapidFix and Tear Mender products, LHB’s two manufacturing, assembly, warehousing and distribution plants produce medical kits; catheters; aerosol and liquid paints; aerosol and liquid cleaners; adhesives; eco-friendly products; and others for business, consumer and government customers nationwide.

For information, contact Brittney Bettonville, Marketing Manager, at 800.542.3697 or 314.423.4333, or see the website http://www.lhbindustries.com. Media relations contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314 409 5203.

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