Beate Uhse Buys Playhouse Group

FLENSBERG, Germany — Euro retailer Beate Uhse AG has announced that it has taken over Holland-based wholesaler Playhouse Group, according to European trade journal Erotic Trade Only. Beate Uhse’s customer base will be increased by Playhouse’s 2,400 trade accounts in 42 countries.

"This acquisition is of especially great strategic significance for our group," Beate Uhse COO Serge van der Hooft said. "It will open up entirely new opportunities for marketing products, especially via new media channels. We believe the future is clearly to be found in the digitalization of erotica."

Playhouse is one of Europe’s leading wholesalers of films, sex toys, lingerie and wellness products, with its own line of sex toys, including around 600 products, and ownership of 8,000 film titles. The company had a turnover of around $16.32 million in 2008. Playhouse sells its products through the traditional retail supply chain and Internet platforms as well as new media channels such as IPTV, VOD and mobile value-added services.

Playhouse has been co-operating with Scala, the wholesale arm of Beate Uhse, for the last six months.

Playhouse shareholders Walter Kroes and Bert Ruzette will be integrated into Beate Uhse management, with Kroes joining the wholesale business as second managing director, and Ruzette responsible for the new media division and for Beate Uhse Licensing BV, the recently founded film rights marketing subsidiary.

Kroes and Ruzette will receive an undisclosed cash payment and 7 million shares in Beate Uhse AG, which are to be issued at a nominal value of $1.25 per share within the framework of a capital increase undertaken to the exclusion of public subscription rights. They have agreed not to dispose of these shares for at least five years.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Penthouse Names Krystal Harper Its November 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Krystal Harper as Pet of the Month for November.

Williams Trading Unveils 'Christmas Giftables' Catalog

Williams Trading Co. has released this year's edition of its "Christmas Giftables" digital catalog.

Magic Silk Debuts 'Leather + Lace' Collection

Magic Silk has introduced its new Leather + Lace lingerie collection.

Sinatra Monroe Toplines New Digital Playground Comedy 'Single Minded'

Sinatra Monroe headlines the new comedy feature from Digital Playground, titled "Single Minded."

Adult Time Launches New Series 'Preggo World'

Adult Time has released the first episode of its new series “Preggo World,” titled “18 & Pregnant.”

Alexis James Makes Her Tushy Raw Debut

Alexis James has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Tushy Raw, alongside Victor Ray.

Lucy Hart Stars in Mainstream Slasher Flick 'Director's Cut'

Long-time performer Lucy Hart has stepped outside the world of adult, starring in a new mainstream slasher movie, "Director's Cut," that premiered this weekend in theaters across the U.S.

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eremote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eremote.

Rae Lil Black, Rikako Katayama Star in Latest From Vored

Rae Lil Black and Rikako Katayama star in the latest release from Hentaied.pro studio brand Vored, titled "Sinful Taste."

Sage Hunter Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Sage Hunter has made her Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) debut alongside studio honcho Bryan Gozzling.

Show More