Zippo Manufacturing Company acquires Italian leather fashion brand
Zippo Manufacturing Company, the US-based producer of the internationally renowned Zippo windproof cigarette lighter, has acquired the Italian marketer of leather goods and fashion accessories, D.D.M, for an undisclosed sum.
The companies had been involved in a legal battle over Vicenza-based D.D.M’s use of the Zippo brand name for its collection of leather handbags, belts, wallets and shoes. D.D.M maintained that the Zippo name hadn’t been registered under the clothing and leather categories.
D.D.M Italia will become Zippo Fashion Italia SRL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zippo Manufacturing Company. Each organisation will operate as separate Zippo brands.
President and CEO of Zippo Manufacturing Company, Greg Booth, said: “This is a strategic venture aimed at protecting the integrity of each brand and strengthening our presence within
