O2C Brands, a portfolio company of Middleton Partners, has acquired Green Sprouts, a seller of baby products.
Green Sprouts’ products – used by newborns, infants, and toddlers – include swimwear and swim diapers; sun protection hats, shirts, and shorts; blankets and towels; dishes, utensils, bottles and cups; bibs and burp cloths; toys and books; and oral, hair and nail care. The company was founded in 1982 by President Becky Cannon and is based in Asheville, North Carolina.
“After 41 years of growing goodness with Green Sprouts, I am pleased to hand over my ‘baby’ to O2C Brands to nurture it through its next stage of development,” said Ms. Cannon. “O2C Brands is the best steward to lead Green Sprouts in further optimizing its potential.”
O2C Brands is designer and manufacturer of consumer products that are used in hydration, specialty beverage, portable cooling and humidifiers, food storage, pool, patio and beach applications.
O2C’s brands include O2COOL, portable cooling, hydration, and pool/patio/beach products; TREVA, fans and humidifiers; LunchBots, school lunch containers; Bobble, filtered water bottles and on-the-go coffee vessels; U-Konserve, reusable food containers; and EcoVessel, stainless steel water bottles and mugs.
The company’s products are sold through a range of channels including e-commerce, national chains, mass merchants, specialty stores, sporting goods, home centers, grocery chains, drug stores, and healthcare wholesalers.
“Green Sprouts exemplifies the very essence of O2C Brands core values – a fusion of innovation, sustainable materials, unwavering quality, distinctive design, and an emphasis on family. We are focused on strengthening Green Sprouts dedicated and loyal customer base, while building awareness through multiple market channels,” said Eric Lockwood, the CEO of O2C Brands.
Green Sprouts was advised by Big Path Capital on this transaction. “We believe strongly in the growth potential for Green Spouts under O2C Brands’ direction,” said Michael Whelchel, the CEO of Big Path Capital.
Middleton Partners invests in private equity, real estate and venture capital. Within private equity, the firm invests in US-based middle market companies that have from $1 million to $20 million in EBITDA and are active across a wide range of sectors. Middleton is headquartered just north of Chicago in Northbrook, Illinois.
© 2023 Private Equity Professional | August 30, 2023
