Pete McCann and Kelly Loneman first crossed paths while working together at an Omaha, NE, sporting goods store in the mid-1980s. Forty years later, their companies are officially joining forces.

Pete McCann (left), founder of Ideal Images (asi/229530), and Kelly Loneman (right), founder of Image Market.

Ideal Images (asi/229530), the distributor of branded apparel, promotional products and company stores that McCann founded 28 years ago, has inked a deal to acquire Image Market, Loneman’s promotional apparel company that primarily serves school clubs, bands, choirs and activity groups. Image Market’s name, identity and focus will not change. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Image Market started in 1989 with a commitment to taking great care of our customers, and that has remained at the heart of our business for more than 35 years,” said Loneman. The firm has since grown into an operation that delivers screen printing and embroidery on T-shirts, hoodies and activewear in all 50 states.

McCann has witnessed that growth since the beginning.

“Watching [Kelly] build Image Market over the decades, I’ve only grown more impressed,” said McCann. “This acquisition isn’t just a business decision. It’s a recognition of everything he built.”

For Loneman’s part, choosing the right home for the company he spent more than three decades building was not an easy decision.

“As we looked to the future, it was important to find a company that shared our commitment to quality and remarkable customer service,” said Loneman. “We believe we found that in Ideal Images.”

Loneman will step down from his role as part of the transition, and plans to shift his focus to business ventures outside of the promo industry.

Ideal Images is now led by the second generation of family leadership. Morgan McCann-Ayers serves as chief operating officer, and Mitch McCann is vice president of sales. Existing Image Market employees were given the opportunity to apply for positions within the Ideal Images organization, and more than half of the staff accepted roles across various departments.

Pete McCann added that Image Market’s focus on nonathletic school activity groups is something Ideal Images will protect and build upon.

“One of the things Image Market does better than anyone is designing for groups that often get overlooked,” he said. “That focus and creativity are core to who they are. Our goal is to build on that foundation, making the ordering experience even easier while continuing to deliver reliably and on time.”