Gladson Acquires Data Management Firm, Cloud-Based Publisher

Gladson, a portfolio company of The Wicks Group, has acquired both FSEnet , a product data management and syndication provider, and Webcollage, a cloud-based platform for manufacturers to manage and publish product information across a global network of retailer sites. Together the companies offer an end-to-end product content management experience where brands and retailers can collaborate.

Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The acquisitions will enable brands and retailers to drive efficiency in their supply chain, space management and e-commerce operations to increase conversions and optimize digital and in-store experiences.

“Our clients are struggling working with multiple providers of product information and digital assets due to inconsistent formats, and ever-changing product labeling and packaging,” Gladson CEO Paul Salay said in a statement. “Retailers and other data recipients need complete and consistent data to power their e-commerce websites and to optimize their shelf management process. We have listened to our clients and made great strides in bringing best-in-class solutions together to help solve this challenge in the industry.”

By combining the FSEnet product data management engine with Webcollage’s platform, Content Publisher, Gladson has taken significant steps to enable a more efficient transfer of information between supply and demand, Salay said.

“We are thrilled to welcome FSEnet and Webcollage to the Gladson family,” Thomas Kearney, principal at Wicks, said in a statement. “The addition of these two great companies to the Gladson platform helps achieve our objective of building a leading information business for brands and retailers in our target markets.”

Gladson is now uniquely positioned in the industry to deliver a seamless shopper content experience, with a large brand and retailer network and data across multiple industries, including consumer product goods and food and beverage.

“With FSEnet joining Gladson, it underscores an important opportunity at this critical time to accelerate product management services across in the industries and markets that we serve,” FSEnet President and CEO Kirby McBride said in a statement. “We’ve found the right partner to not only execute our global vision, but to broaden the solution set for all customers bringing obvious and incremental value.”

Wicks and Gladson were advised by Winston & Strawn LLP on the transactions.