The apparel industry continues to see a rising number of mergers and acquisitions. In the wee hours of 2023, L2 Brands announced it acquired Ouray Sportswear and Locale Outdoor from S&S Activewear. This week, Next Level Apparel joins the party.

Backed by Blue Point Capital Partners, Next Level announces the acquisition of Stedman, a Germany-based designer, supplier, and manufacturer of casual and sportwear blank apparel.

As Next Level looks to expand its international footprint, Stedman’s distribution center in Ghent, Belgium, will play a role in its European presence. Stedman also has a market presence in over 40 countries that will serve Next Level’s growth, according to a press release.

“The team at Stedman is excited to join ranks with Next Level Apparel, a strong partner and the perfect match, thanks to numerous synergistic qualities and values across both companies,” said Marcel Schweigert, Stedman general manager, in the release. “This partnership opens up new growth opportunities for everyone involved, and I am personally thrilled to be part of it, not only as a stakeholder but also as a shareholder.”

“The Stedman team has built a strong brand and a culture of excellence, and we’re excited to have them join Next Level Apparel,” added Next Level CEO Randy Hales. “This partnership presents a great opportunity to expand and diversify both organizations’ footprints across Europe and the U.S.”