HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000), the second-largest distributor by revenue in the promotional products industry, has acquired Star Promotions (asi/334909), a distributorship based in Jackson, WI. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Star principals Dave Wolter and Mark Hesselman, along with staff, are joining HALO. They’ll go to market under the name Star Promotions Powered by HALO.

“We are thrilled to join HALO and leverage the expanded resources available to us,” said Wolter and Hesselman in a statement. “The comprehensive range of solutions, including marketing and creative capabilities, technology resources and fulfillment expertise, is unparalleled. We are confident that this partnership will enable us to significantly enhance the value we offer our clients and accelerate our growth.”

HALO executives said the creativity and innovation the Star team has exhibited during its more than 25 years in business are just two reasons the Top 40 firm is excited to bring the distributorship aboard.

“Star Promotions has established and built its success by delivering top-notch service to an impressive array of clients and brands,” said Jim Stutz, HALO’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development. “We are delighted to welcome them to the HALO family.”

While mergers and acquisitions in the promotional products industry slowed considerably in the latter half of 2023 amid inflation concerns, high interest rates and economic doom-soothing, M&A activity has begun accelerating again.

For sure, HALO is no stranger to acquisitions. The firm has executed one of the most high-profile M&A strategies in promo for over a decade – an effort that’s included acquiring multiple Top 40 distributorships, including BrandVia in 2022. Currently, HALO has more than 1,800 employees in 42 global offices, and counts among its clients approximately 115 of the Fortune 500.

Based on reported 2022 North American promotional product revenue of just over $1 billion, HALO ranked second on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.