Gemspring Capital has acquired Creative Labs and United Hair Care (together, Creative Labs) in partnership with the company’s senior management team.
Creative Labs develops and manufactures branded and contract haircare and skincare products, including shampoos and conditioners, hairsprays and mousses, cleansers and exfoliators, moisturizers and serums, as well as masks and overnight skincare treatments. The company’s capabilities include research and development, product testing, large-scale manufacturing, branding, and marketing.
Creative Labs markets products under the United Hair Care brand through several channels, including retail, e-commerce, and hair salons. The company was founded in 1987 by brothers Gary and Dale Simmons and is headquartered near Minneapolis, in Eagan, Minnesota.
“This partnership marks a pivotal moment for our business,” said Brett Simmons, CEO of Creative Labs. “We sought a strategic partner to help us realize our long-term vision and support accelerated growth of our brands, and Gemspring’s deep expertise, industry insight, and experience in scaling family and founder-led businesses make them an ideal fit. Together, we plan to drive innovation, deepen customer relationships, and expand our presence across all channels.”
“Creative Labs has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in the hair and personal care industry,” said Kristin Steen, a managing director at Gemspring. “We are thrilled to partner with Brett and his talented team to build upon the company’s foundation and drive its next phase of growth and success.”
Gemspring Capital invests in companies with revenues of up to $500 million and focuses on sectors including business services, consumer services, financial and insurance services, healthcare services, industrial services, software, and tech-enabled services.
In January 2023, Gemspring closed two funds: Gemspring Capital Fund III LP, its third buyout fund, at $1.7 billion, and Gemspring Growth Solutions Fund I LP, its first non-control investment fund, at an oversubscribed $400 million. With these closings, Gemspring, based in Westport, Connecticut, now manages $3.4 billion in capital.
© 2025 Private Equity Professional | February 11, 2025
