The Riverside Company has acquired Bionic Pet Products, a maker of dog toys, as an add-on to its Outward Hound platform company. This is the first add-on acquisition for Outward Hound since being acquired by Riverside in August 2013.
Bionic dog toys are designed and guaranteed to be indestructible and are made from “Bionic Rubber”, a proprietary company formulation that uses only FDA food-grade materials and floats, is dishwasher safe and is 100% recyclable. Bionic Pet Products is headquartered south of Los Angeles in Ladera Ranch, CA (www.bionicplay.com).
Outward Hound, formerly known as Kyjen Company, is a designer and distributor of branded dog toys based in Centennial, CO (www.outwardhound.com) (www.kyjen.com).
“Bionic has built a strong reputation for having some of the most durable toys available, which complements Outward Hound’s broad portfolio of dog toy and accessory offerings,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet.
“The Bionic brand is synonymous with indestructible dog products that can withstand even the most aggressive chewers. Bionic is an ideal, synergistic partner for Outward Hound that strengthens our position as a leading pet company creating innovative products that engage and excite both dogs and their owners,” said Kyle Hansen of Outward Hound.
The Riverside Company acquires businesses that have valuations of up to $250 million. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 370 transactions and the firm’s international portfolio includes more than 75 companies. Riverside is headquartered in New York with additional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London (www.riversidecompany.com).
“We’re excited about bringing Bionic’s fantastic products to millions of new consumers,” said Riverside Vice President Steve Rice. “Bionic offers some of the most durable and fun dog toys in the market today and will add an exciting new dimension to the Outward Hound portfolio.”
Partner Joe Lee, Senior Associate Kevin Kumar, and Operating Partner Bill White worked with Messrs. Schlachet and Rice on the transaction for Riverside and Origination Principal Scott Gilbertson sourced the transaction.
© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 1-13-15
