Monotype acquires Hoefler&Co

Archer is now part of Monotype's type library
Archer is now part of Monotype's type library

Monotype has added a raft of globally popular typefaces to its type library after acquiring type foundry Hoefler&Co.

The deal, which was completed on Wednesday (15 September), adds typefaces including Gotham, Knockout, Mercury, Sentinel, Chronicle, Decimal, and Archer to Monotype’s portfolio. Its library of type IP now includes more than 100 font families, with 1,135 individual fonts representing 2,291 unique styles.

Hoefler&Co designs will continue to be available through typography.com, and Monotype also plans to distribute the typefaces through its Monotype Fonts on-demand font service.

“In the world of type design, there are few names as well regarded as Hoefler&Co,” said Monotype CEO Ninan Chacko.

“By adding the team’s premier library and design expertise, we can better serve the creative community through Monotype Fonts, while expanding on our mission to elevate the value of typography in driving commerce and culture.”

Hoefler&Co was founded in 1989 by Jonathan Hoefler, who along with CEO Carleen Borsella will now step aside to pursue other creative projects.

“Monotype is unquestionably the right partner to help our work continue to grow, and meet the expanding needs of creative professionals in the years ahead,” said Hoefler.

“For us, it was critical to partner with an organisation that fundamentally believes in the value of type. Monotype is the most experienced foundry in the world, who today cares for many of the world’s most important typefaces, making them the natural home for the work we’ve created at Hoefler&Co.”

The type foundry was the subject of an Emmy-nominated episode of the Netflix original documentary series Abstract: The Art of Design.

Its typefaces have also been used in the presidential campaigns of both Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as by brands including Delta Air Lines and Tiffany & Co, and publications such as Wired and The New York Times.

Early last year Monotype acquired London-based boutique type foundry Fontsmith.