Tervis signs on Harley, NASCAR

VENICE -- Tervis Tumbler recently secured the licensing rights required to manufacture products for Harley Davidson, LucasFilm, NASCAR and Hello Kitty.

The Venice-based company manufactures drinkware had already been growing prior to these newest deals. Since 2006, revenues are up more than 200%, to more than $75 million in 2010.

Tervis can begin to use the logos and designs of its four newest partners in 2012, says Tervis President and CEO Barry Wolfson. The foursome adds to a loaded licensing library, which already includes the NFL, Disney and Major League Baseball.

“We will have a big year on licensing products,” Wolfson says. “Harley Davidson will be a monster for us.”

Landing the licensing rights, says Wolfson, was a long process. Tervis had to prove it had the depth and breadth, in everything from manufacturing capacity to marketing, to make the partnerships successful. Says Wolfson: “We've been working on this for a while.”

The licensing victory caps off a big year for Tervis, which makes insulated cups and accessories in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. The firm completed a major expansion of its facility in 2011, and sales are set to surpass $100 million. The company was also recently featured on a Made in America news special on ABC's World News Tonight.