Today, American Crafts announced the purchase of industry leader We R Memory Keepers. We’re excited to join forces with such a well-known, respected brand and look forward to continued use of their innovative tools and incredibly popular albums.

We know you will be interested in learning more about this exciting development and are including the press release issued today.

Related News Release 

OREM, UT – June 17, 2014 – American Crafts is pleased to announce its acquisition of We R Memory Keepers. The move brings together two industry leaders and provides retailers and crafters with the best variety of scrapbooking, papercrafting and DIY products.

We R is an innovator of crafting tools that simplify and enable the creative and memory keeping process. We R also offers premier albums, storage solutions and the Lifestyle Crafts-brand of die cutting and letterpress products.

Sarah DeVoll, president of American Crafts, says that the company intends the We R brand to operate long-term, expanding on its superb track record of product innovation. Many of We R’s outstanding employees will remain with the brand and will continue to develop and innovate under the We R brand.

“This is an exciting new chapter in the history of American Crafts and We R Memory Keepers,” says DeVoll. “We’re very happy to have We R join forces with AC – working together we will be able to provide a broader assortment of top-quality products, a stronger method for innovation, and more convenient one-stop shopping for our customers.”

Wayne Mitchell, CEO of American Crafts, says that previous owner Andrew Hiller ran an innovative company that is an important part of the scrapbooking and crafting industry.

“For more than 90 years, Andrew, his family and team did a great job of building We R into a company that makes unique and creative products,” says Mitchell. “We look forward to decades more of success with the We R brand.”

Mitchell adds that American Crafts is committed – just like it’s been with all of the companies it has acquired – to maintaining the distinctive look and quality of We R’s product offering.

For the foreseeable future, We R will continue to independently operate while thoughtful integration of the two companies takes place. Future announcements to retailers will explain any changes in ordering or processes. The continued use of We R’s quality suppliers for leather albums and quality crafting tools will mean that crafters and retailers should expect the same amazing products We R has always been known for.

Hiller says the sale of We R to American Crafts will benefit customers for years to come.

“We R wouldn’t join forces with anyone but American Crafts. Their character and quality standards are unmatched,” says Hiller. “We R can’t wait to be part of the team.”