dog supplies

Hall-Capital Acquires 4Knines

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Hall-Capital Partners has acquired 4Knines, a maker of fabric-based protective liners and seat covers for autos, trucks and other motor vehicles.

4Knines (“for canines”) sells 36 different products including front seat covers, back seat covers, SUV cargo covers, waterproof dog bed liners and related products. With the closing of the transaction, Hall-Capital Partners is planning to expand the company’s products into the commercial automobile market, specialty pet stores and online e-tailers. 4Knines is based in Phoenix (www.4knines.com).

Hall-Capital Partners (HCP) is the private equity affiliate of Hall Capital, a private investment company owned by the Hall family. HCP makes control or non-control investments of $2 million to $25 million in manufacturing, distribution, or service companies with revenues of $10 million to $100 million and operating profit of at least $1 million. The firm has raised three private equity funds with a total of $250 million of committed capital from the Hall family and outside partners, both individual and institutional. HCP has offices in Oklahoma City, Chicago (Lake Forest), Nashville, and New York (www.hall-capital.com).

© 2016 Private Equity Professional • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 5-19-16

Benford Capital Acquires J&J Dog Supplies

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Ray Allen Manufacturing, a portfolio company of Benford Capital, has acquired J&J Dog Supplies, a direct marketer of dog training supplies.  The acquisition by Ray Allen allowed J&J’s founding family to exit the business at closing.

J&J Dog Supplies is a catalog and on-line marketer of dog training supplies for the AKC sport and dog show enthusiast markets. Customers include dog-training clubs, schools & kennels and individual trainers across the US and abroad.  Post-closing, Ray Allen integrated J&J into its existing operations and plans to invest in the continued growth of the J&J brand.  The company was founded in 1965 and is based in Galesburg, IL (www.jjdog.com).

Ray Allen Manufacturing is a manufacturer and catalog marketer of professional canine training products sold to the law enforcement, military and working dog markets.  Customers include canine professionals in law enforcement, military, homeland security, correctional, professional security and drug enforcement fields. The company was founded in 1948 and is based in Colorado Springs, CO (www.rayallen.com).

The acquisition of J&J Dog Supplies is the second add-on acquisition completed Ray Allen Manufacturing since being acquired by Benford Capital in 2007.  The first add-on was the purchase of Signature K-9 in 2009.

Benford Capital Partners invests in lower middle market companies that have revenues of at least $3 million and EBITDA of at least $1 million. Company types include niche manufacturers of consumer and industrial products, unique service companies, and value-added distributors.  The firm was founded in 2004 by Edward Benford and is based in Chicago (www.benfordcapital.com).

2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 9-17-14