Waukesha-based Kalmbach Publishing Co. has acquired Richmond, Ky.-based board game creator Rather Dashing Games LLC. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Kalmbach publishes a variety of hobbyist magazines such as “Discover,” “Model Railroader” and “Trains.” It also publishes books, offers subscription video services and hosts niche events. Board games are a new product category for Kalmbach.
Milwaukee-based mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Bridgewood Advisors Inc. advised Kalmbach on the acquisition.
“Rather Dashing Games provides Kalmbach with an exciting opportunity to serve the passionate audience that surrounds the rapidly growing board game market,” said Chuck Croft, president of Kalmbach. “We have more than 80 years of history of delivering quality products to enthusiast audiences, and we see a lot of similarities between what we do and the tabletop game business. We look forward to entering into a new, growth area in publishing.”
Rather Dashing makes board games for all ages, and its inventions include Red Hot Silly Peppers, Graveyards, Ghosts & Haunted Houses and Dwarven Miner. It was founded in 2011 by Mike Richie and Grant Wilson. They will remain on staff and based in Kentucky, and Kalmbach will provide additional capital and support in areas such as marketing and distribution to grow the business.
“Rather Dashing Games has always maintained its vision of bringing quality, fun and original games to the market that are accessible to both hard core gamers and family gamers alike. Teaming up with a time-honored, creative and value-based company such as Kalmbach allows for an amazing future,” Richie said.
