Veto Pro Pac, maker of premium multi-pocketed tool bags, pouches, and accessories, and now consumer travel bags, announced today that they will “join” the “Malco Group Portfolio of leading HVACR brands.”
Malco Tools was bought out by Aspen Pumps several months ago. (See Malco Tools is Under New Ownership)
Aspen Pumps is owned by Inflexion, a private equity firm.
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And now, the Veto Pro Pac tool bag brand has been folded into the mix.
Here’s what Inflexion says about Aspen Pumps:
In 2007 Inflexion led a buyout of Aspen Pumps and supported its growth, particularly in India and China. Inflexion generated a 22x return on its 2015 sale before re-investing in 2020.
So while officially Veto Pro Pac is being “brought into the Malco Group’s family of pro-favorite brands,” my understanding is that Veto Pro Pac was essentially sold to the same private equity firm as Malco.
According to the announcement:
This acquisition will allow Veto to expand the brand’s global reach while unlocking new opportunities in international markets.
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They also say:
We are excited to build upon Veto’s reputation in Europe and expand its presence across the region. This is a great step forward in aligning world-class brands with localized customer support.
The head of the Malco Group, within Aspen Pumps from within Inflexion’s investment portfolio, said:
This acquisition not only enhances the solutions we offer to our customers but also reinforces our leadership position in the industry.
Also:
Together, we can bring even more value to the professionals who rely on our products while creating new growth opportunities for our distribution partners worldwide.
Having seen what happened and being burned quite a bit by brands and companies that dropped quality and customer service after being sold to private equity and investment firms, I’m not optimistic about this news.
Maybe things will be different with Veto under private equity and investment firm ownership.
Veto is no longer the only option out there for highly organized tool bags. See: Milwaukee Packout Structured Tool Bag Expansion
S
Don’t worry lobsters! I’m here to protect you! As a sign of good faith, I even made a nice warm bath for you!
James
We’ve got about 20 veto bags. I’m very disappointed with this. There’s no way the level of service is maintained.
Josh
When PE buys a brand it’s only a matter of months before it’s gutted
Eric
Not always, Veto doesn’t seem to have a lot of hard assets to sell off. The value is in the companies reputation. So I expect they’ll spend the next few years cranking up the enshitification and make their money that way.
Josh
I bet you’re right.
Crow
Capitalism is on it’s way to destroying another awesome product. Shareholders demand endless growth and the consumers pay the price. Well, it was cool while it lasted at least.
Philip+Proctor
Capitalism created it
Josh
Exactly. The other option have us the yugo and ural lol
James
It’s the countdown to 10 corporations……..
Jerry
Veto had a great reputation will this company be able to maytain this
Spearhead91
Veto has not been the “only” option for quite some time. I’ve been carrying a Velocity Pro Gear Bag for years.
https://velocityprogear.us/
James
Thanks!!
Aaron Lipner
It could also be that their business has been slow or going downhill and had to either sell or close.
Hopefully they can grow without sacrificing what made them great.
Stuart
Or the owner wanted to retire with a lump sum. I didn’t see any quotes or messages from them in the announcement.
Eric
It was owned by one guy who seems to be near retirement age. Their history page said he was a carpenter for 25 years before he started the company 24 years ago. So he’s in his mid 60’s if not older. So it makes sense to cash out if he’s ready to retire and doesn’t want to leave the company to a relative.
Jeff
Get your American made Veto bags now, because by his time next year, it will most likely have a Made in ______________ (fill in the blank) tag on the bags.
Many of these “Private Equity Groups” are ruining many of the brands we grew up with. When your company’s motto goes from “make great products the customers will love” to “make a high return on our investments, quality be damned” that’s when you you have lost and should just close up shop.
Eric
According to their website: “The majority of Veto Pro Pac bags are made in either China or Myanmar at top notch factories.”
Looks like they only make 2 drill holsters and a small tool roll for multi-meter leads in the USA.
Jim Felt
I doubt the infrastructure let alone “reasonable” labor availability in NA is likely to ever return.
Even Intel itself is facing layoffs. Their most recent multibillion dollar upgrades haven’t spared them from the digital future of AI let alone Apple, Google and Meta.
Jim Felt
I remember first seeing a mention of Veto 20 some years ago in perhaps Fine Homebuilding. Instead of a letter I found their direct number and the guy that answered was both the inventor and the owner.
Great conversation and I’m pretty sure I had one of their first bags in the Pacific Northwest.
Called him back a few times too. (How quaint that seems).
I’ve others now, of course, but that original bag is still in use.
Scotty.
Always wanted a Veto bag but couldn’t justify the cost as I wasn’t an everyday tradie. Sad to see this quality brand sold to PE. My opinion, best case is probably a slow swirl down crapper. Worst case they will be loaded with debt and forced into bankruptcy in short order like Joann Fabrics. The brand will be sold to some foreign company and the products won’t be any different than any other bag sold in big box stores.
Get your Veto bags now, before the inevitable decline of quality.