ECRM, known for bringing buyers and manufacturers together in sequenced and timed meetings, has been acquired by BV Investment Partners. 

The move comes about two years after ECRM’s founder Charlie Bowlus passed away and his son, Mitch Bowlus, took the reigns.

As part of the acquisition, Mitch Bowlus will be stepping down as president, and Greg Farrar will be the company’s new ceo. Farrar most recently was the ceo of Trade Only Design Library (TODL), an online product research and specification library for interior designers, architects, and other trade professionals.

Bowlus says that he will continue to be a significant shareholder and will be involved in the future strategic growth of the business, but will be transitioning out of the day-to-day operations.

“The executive team is very excited that we have found a seasoned senior leader who will undoubtedly help us propel the future growth of the company,” Bowlus adds.

In a media release, ECRM says Farrar is an “innovative business-to-business media executive with a track record of successfully transforming and growing businesses. Under Farrar’s leadership, TODL’s professional membership grew by 50 percent while its manufacturer library increased by over 60 percent.”

Before he was at TODL, Farrar was president of Nielsen Business Media from 2007-2010. ECRM says he successfully led the $310-million business-to-business media company, which has 760 employees, through unusually severe economic conditions and re-positioned it for future growth. Prior to that, in 2006 Greg was appointed chief operating officer of Nielsen Business Media, where he spearheaded the market-focused reorganization of the company’s operations.

“This is about growing and serving our customers better,” says Farrar. “It’s about taking the opportunity to enter into markets we don’t currently serve yet.”

The next confectionery ECRM event is the Candy Planning: Everyday & Non-Seasonal at the Marriott New Orleans, New Orleans, Sept. 15-18.