1. Solarpop Distribution (Pty) Ltd
Registration Number: 2016/108874/07
VAT Number: 4650273073
Web: www.solarpop.co.za
Email: info@solarpop.co.za
Johannesburg office
Commerce Corner Office Park
Cnr Bond, Yorke & Burke St
Randburg, 2194
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 700 0407
Cape Town office
Unit 4 Cnr Shiraz & Muscat Rd
Saxenburg Park 1
Blackheath, 7580
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 905 0311
Postal Address
PostNet Suite 265
Private Bag 10039
Randburg, 2194
V1.0 Directors: E. Vermeulen | F. Salvador | P.S.P. Hijlkema | B.J.W.A. Bender
SOLARPOP PRESS RELEASE - 24 MAY 2016
It is with great pleasure that Blowfish Entertainment, Boardgames SA and Skycastle Games wish to
announce the merger of the three companies into one single wholesale distribution company, named
Solarpop Distribution, effective 1 June 2016.
Solarpop Distribution allows for a bigger and more influential footprint, both locally and
internationally, which will mean stronger partnerships and relations with international suppliers and
an infrastructure that will allow for better service delivery to its combined retail partners.
The merger, which has been on the cards for some time now, gained serious traction in early 2016.
After a number of in-depth discussions all three companies felt that this was the right move, not only
for the three entities, but also for the South African geek, gaming and toy market as a whole.
"Over the past few years the three companies have seen a level of co-operation in our marketing of
table top gaming that has been unprecedented," says Skycastle Director Eugene Vermeulen. "Instead
of competing with each other we decided to rather work together to grow our unique market, which
has clearly been the right move and has seen growth that we probably would not have achieved
individually. In the end, the merger seemed almost just a formality. The team was already in place,
the chemistry was there and we all had the vision to take the market to a place unimagined thus far.
We are very excited for the future!"
Building on the overwhelming success of its predecessors Solarpop will be positioning itself as the
leading specialist geek/ pop culture, game and toy distributor in South Africa, with a reach of a vast
combined client base, ranging from small independent stores to specialist chain stores, online stores
and even some mass market stores. Products will range from its existing supply of table top gaming,
collectibles and trading card games titles to exciting new ventures in the pop culture, specialist
children's toys and puzzle markets. Of definite note is its commitment to S.T.E.M. (Science,
Technology, Engineering & Maths), a newly evolving category of educational toys that the directors
believe will be the next phenomenon in the world toy market, including South Africa.
According to Blowfish Director Patrick Hijlkema, "Solarpop is all about products that are out of this
world, items and brands that simply 'pop' out from among the rest. We believe our range will be the
best of what's available in its respective categories. The Solarpop brand will mean a dedication to
quality, uniqueness and fun. We want a certain level of expectation from anything Solarpop
distributes. Stores and the public must have that confidence that the Solarpop brand is a
recommendation in and of itself."

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Solarpop will be adding a number of high profile suppliers to its stable, all of which will be announced
over the next few months. One such an exciting addition to the new company is a distribution deal
with Spin Master, one of the leading toy companies in the world. Solarpop will be distributing some
great new ranges from Spin Master, including Perplexus, Bellz and Boom Boom Balloon. Bart Bender,
fellow executive for Blowfish believes that "Adding the Spin Master brand to Solarpop’s list is a
significant feather in its cap, along with other mainstays like Asmodee. We are geared for big things.
Our range is top-notch and we are excited to reveal some great product shortly. Watch this space!"
An emphasis for Solarpop will be greatly improved logistics and customer service and a commitment
to help its retail partners achieve new heights in their respective businesses.
"The convenience for retailers to do all their gaming orders under one roof with a single account is a
major advantage," says Fabio Salvador, Director of Boardgames SA. "We are introducing a new system
that, once fully realised, will revolutionise the way we do business as a combined company. It will
greatly improve our retailer's ability to place orders, manage their accounts and keep track of their
orders and back orders. We are rolling out a complete B2B service later this year that will be a first for
the gaming industry and, we believe, will help stores maximise their sales potential."
Solarpop's next step is to merge the individual companies’ client base and systems into one new
company, something that has been in the works over the past few months "Our immediate point of
business will be to contact all our existing clients to guide them through the merger and how it will
affect them," adds Bart Bender. "We do not expect any disruption of business and foresee a smooth
transition from the individual companies to Solarpop."
Solarpop’s predecessors have also been known for their combined marketing campaign, Unplug
Yourself, which has allowed for dedicated table top gaming space at such premiere conventions and
expos like rAge, Hobby X, Icon & EGE. With the new company this campaign will continue as Solarpop
intensifies its drive to see unplugged gaming become a cultural phenomenon in South Africa. "We
believe Table Top is the third console, so to speak," says Fabio Salvador, "and what it has to offer is
even better than its electronic counterparts."
"Expect more dedication to marketing and awareness of our product," adds Eugene Vermeulen.
"Solarpop has a big vision and an ambitious goal. We hope to make a difference in our market, and
get our nation spending even more face-to-face time in mutual enjoyment of the product we offer.”
With renewed energy, vision and a commitment to excellence Solarpop is bound to become a force
to be reckoned with in the South African market and we invite you to watch this space closely...
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