Mason Wells has closed the sale of Paris Presents, a provider of branded personal care products, to Wasserstein & Co. Paris Presents was a portfolio company of Mason Wells Buyout Fund III, LP.
Paris Presents is a merchandiser, designer and developer of branded personal care products including cosmetic and bath accessories to domestic and international mass retailers, national and independent drug stores, specialty beauty stores, grocery stores and e-commerce retailers. The company’s brands include Real Techniques, Eco Tools and Body Benefits. Paris Presents was founded in 1947 and is based in the Chicago suburb of Gurnee, IL (www.parispresents.com).
“This sale concludes a highly successful partnership with the outstanding management team at Paris Presents, led by CEO Patrick O’Brien,” said Kevin Kenealey, Senior Managing Director at Mason Wells. “Under our ownership, Paris Presents has emerged as one of the fastest growing branded personal care companies. The management team established the company as a leader in its categories through world-class product innovation, consumer insights, leading edge marketing strategies, and operational excellence. The momentum behind the company’s flagship brands, Real Techniques, Eco-Tools and Body Benefits, has the business poised for continued exceptional growth both domestically and internationally under the new ownership of Wasserstein.”
Mason Wells makes investments in Midwest-based companies with revenues of $25 million to $300 million and EBITDAs of at least $5 million. Sectors of interest include consumer packaged goods, packaging materials & converting, outsourced business services, and engineered products & services. The firm is currently investing through Mason Wells Buyout Fund III, a $525 million fund. Mason Wells was founded in 1982 and is based in Milwaukee (www.masonwells.com).
“The teamwork and chemistry between my management team and Mason Wells was extraordinary,” said Patrick O’Brien, CEO of Paris Presents. “The support of Mason Wells on all levels helped us to further establish Paris Presents as a best-in-class company in its categories. We are very excited to continue to grow and expand the business under the ownership of Wasserstein.”
Wasserstein & Co. is focused primarily on leveraged buyout investments and related investment activities in the media, consumer products and water equipment and services industries. The firm has offices in New York and Los Angeles (www.wasserco.com).
© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 1-7-15
