Partridge Peartree Joins the Wild Thang Family

Same first-class service, same local NI team, bigger global creative family.

At Wild Thang, we are incredibly proud to officially welcome Partridge Peartree Promotions Company into the Wild Thang family, marking a major milestone in our continued growth across the UK & Ireland. This is far more than a business acquisition; it brings together two respected family-run businesses built on creativity, trust, strong relationships and a shared ambition to deliver world-class branded clothing, merchandise and print solutions. Together, we now bring a combined 68 years of trading heritage, experience and industry knowledge.

Established in 1988, the Partridge Peartree team remains essential, delivering the same trusted service and expertise that made the company so respected in Northern Ireland and beyond. For Wild Thang, this means investing in Northern Ireland people, building on legacy, and growing stronger together.

Partridge Peartree’s reputation for branded merchandise and creative solutions makes this a natural fit for Wild Thang’s long-term growth plans to reach £20 million T/O within the next 3 years. Together, this strategic partnership creates one of the most exciting independent forces in the sector across the UK and Ireland, with a mission to deliver “one world-class solution that elevates creative branded clothing, merchandise and print through more sustainable practices and ethical production, ‘The Wild Thang & Partridge Peartree Way’”.

Founded in Liverpool in 1996, Wild Thang has grown into one of the UK and Ireland’s leading independent creative branded merchandise, clothing, and print businesses, with operations spanning Liverpool, Dublin, New Jersey, and, most recently, Northern Ireland. As a B Corp-certified business, Wild Thang has become one of the most sustainable and certified in its sector. It remains deeply committed to responsible growth, innovation, sustainability, and community impact, values that strongly align with Partridge Peartree’s own approach.

The partnership also creates exciting opportunities to share best practices across world-class branding production facilities, ESG leadership, B Corp commitments, more sustainable procurement, service operational excellence, on-demand technology and digital innovation. Demonstrating Wild Thang’s long-term commitment to Northern Ireland, John Howarth and Sarah Howarth have relocated to the region, creating a direct leadership presence and reinforcing the group’s dedication to local growth, customer relationships, and community engagement.

Wild Thang is also excited to begin building strong relationships across the Northwest business community, including the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, as part of its long-term commitment to regional economic growth and collaboration.

John Howarth, Group Global Supply & Contract Director at Wild Thang, commented: “Completing the acquisition of Partridge Peartree Promotions marks a very proud moment for everyone involved. Our conversations began almost two years ago, and it quickly became clear that the alignment in values, ethics, and vision made this a genuinely strong fit, something we see as fundamental in any successful partnership. Carl and Marc have built a highly respected business with an outstanding reputation among clients and suppliers alike, and we are delighted they will continue to support the integration journey. I would also like to recognise Clare Higgins for her impressive leadership, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the team throughout this process. This acquisition is an exciting step forward for the Wild Thang Group, strengthening our continued growth across the UK & Ireland, Europe, and international markets, and we are incredibly excited to build on Partridge Peartree’s success together.”

Andrew Dwerryhouse, Managing Director at Wild Thang, said:

“This is yet another special milestone moment for Wild Thang & the rest of the team, highlighting our continued growth ambition even after 30 years in business, to create a world-class, industry-leading company focused on being a force for good business. We could not be more excited to welcome the wider Partridge Peartree team into our own family business and help build on their exceptional industry reputation, which Carl, Marc & Clare have all built over the last 38 years. Huge thanks to our financial and legal advisers, DSG and Glenville Walker, who both supported the business acquisition process. When two family businesses and teams with shared values, ethics and 68 years of knowledge come together, we know we will create something exceptional together in the future. For all those clients, rest assured, it will be the same first-class service, same local NI team, and a bigger global creative family. We now have considerable growth aspirations and projections to push through the £10 Million T/O barrier this year and aim for £20 million over the next 3 years.”

Clare Higgins, Director at Partridge Peartree Promotions, said:

“Like us, our new partners, Wild Thang, are a family-owned business with a passion for excellence in promotional merchandise. Having followed similar journeys in business, we quickly recognised a natural fit in our company cultures. This is more than an acquisition. It is a coming together of minds, shared values, and a common ambition for the future. While our name and the trusted team our customers know in Northern Ireland remain the same, we are now strengthened by a larger Wild Thang family, bringing exciting new opportunities, greater capacity, and enhanced innovation. We would also like to thank the fantastic Wild Thang team for their hard work, dedication, and commitment in helping make this acquisition and transition happen so smoothly. Most importantly, thank you to our loyal customers and incredible team for being part of our journey over the last 38 years. The best is truly yet to come.

Wild Thang also extends sincere thanks to Glenville Walker and the team at DSG, whose support, professionalism, and expert guidance were instrumental throughout the acquisition journey and in helping bring this exciting partnership to life. As Wild Thang continues its exciting growth journey, this latest milestone reinforces the business’s commitment to combining creativity, innovation, responsible business, and world-class customer solutions on a truly international scale. Two family businesses coming together. One shared vision. One seriously exciting branding future.