Westbrook-based company buys Tee's Plus

Groton — Red Rocket Merchandising Corp. has purchased Tee’s Plus, the screen printing company that announced its closing in March.

“Tee’s Plus is open for business,” Ed Cook, CEO of the Westbrook-based custom printing company, said in a press release Friday. “We will continue to serve regional and national clients with premium branded merchandise and promotional products.”

Red Rocket closed a deal last week to acquire the business, but not the property at 1425 Gold Star Highway. Cook said Tee’s Plus will become the company’s custom printing division, and the work will be done at the company’s Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Essex facilities.

Allen Graham, former president and CEO of Tee’s Plus, said at the time of its closing the company was a victim of the economic downturn, poor sales and a lack of working capital.

Cook said Tee’s Plus did some screen printing for his company in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He said the company is looking for a facility in southeastern Connecticut.

“The purchase enhances Red Rocket’s custom printing division and saves jobs for former Tee’s Plus employees,” Cook said. “Folding our existing operations into Tee’s Plus will be seamless. We have the ability to continue providing the exceptional design and print services clients have come to expect from Tee’s Plus.”

Red Rocket has hired some Tee’s Plus employees and is interviewing others. The company anticipates significant growth by the end of the year.

“The number of employees will likely double by the end of 2012,” Cook said. “We certainly can’t hire everyone from Tee’s Plus, but we’re looking to get everyone we can from that great staff.”

Tee’s Plus employed about 50 people at the end of last year.

Red Rocket is a privately held company with clients in the music, sports and entertainment apparel and merchandise. They include Rolling Stone, Disney, Premier Guitar, Live Nation and Marvel among others.

The company is on line at www.redrocketcorp.com and www.teesplus.com.