hunting accessories

Huron Starts Building Up Hunting Platform

by

Good Sportsman Marketing (GSM), the hunting accessories platform company of Huron Capital Partners, has acquired HME Products. This is the first add-on acquisition for GSM since being acquired by Huron Capital in June 2016.

HME designs and distributes a variety of tools that assist hunters in the field. The company’s products include accessory hooks, deer gambrels and drags, tree-stand accessories, and gloves. HME customers include sporting goods, farm & fleet, e-commerce and specialty retailers across the US. The company was founded in 2000 and is based north of Minneapolis in Isanti, MN (www.hmeproducts.com).

GSM’s products include scouting, surveillance and action cameras; hearing amplification and protection devices; portable LED lighting; game calls and deer feeders. The company’s products are sold through specialty retailers, mass merchants and online. Brand names include StealthCam, Walker’s, Cyclops, and American Hunter. GSM is led by CEO Eddie Castro and is headquartered near Dallas in Grand Prairie, TX (www.gsmoutdoors.com).

The acquisition of HME will add a number of hunting accessory products that are highly complementary to GSM’s existing product lineup. “We believe HME is a great fit for GSM, and we are pleased to complete this add-on acquisition so soon after our initial investment in GSM. We are excited to work with the GSM team to pursue additional acquisitions and other growth initiatives as we seek to build out the GSM platform,” said Sean Roberts, a Principal at Huron Capital.

Huron Capital Partners invests up to $70 million per transaction in middle market companies that have revenues up to $200 million and EBITDAs of $5 million or more. Sectors of interest include specialty manufacturing, business services, consumer goods & services, and healthcare. Huron was founded in 1999 and currently manages over $1.1 billion in committed equity through four private equity funds. The firm has offices in Detroit and Toronto (www.huroncapital.com).

© 2016 Private Equity Professional • 10-20-16

Bregal Forms Hunting Platform, Buys Dead Down Wind

by

Bregal Partners has formed Arcus Hunting as a new platform in the bowhunting and archery accessories category and has completed its first investment through the acquisition of Dead Down Wind, a scent control brand that mitigate a hunter’s scent while in the field.

“Consistent with our broader focus on enthusiast consumer brands, we have been developing for the better part of a year a targeted micro-theme to build a leading branded player in the fragmented and growing bowhunting and archery consumables and accessories industry.  We are thrilled to announce the formation of Arcus Hunting and to take the first step in our aggressive growth plan through the acquisition of Dead Down Wind,” said Scott Perekslis, Managing Partner and co-founder of Bregal Partners.  “We believe the enthusiast nature of the category, the strong brand loyalty, and the growth of bowhunting and archery make this industry especially attractive.”

Dead Down Wind’s products are specifically formulated to reduce a hunter’s odor signature to the lowest possible level. The company utilizes a science-based broad spectrum approach that offers a wide range of scent control protection. Products include deodorizing laundry detergent that breaks down biofilms and blood stains, scent-eliminating personal care products, and field sprays that further eliminate telltale odors.  DDW is based in the Kansas City suburb of Pleasant Valley (www.deaddownwind.com).

“Through our investment in Dead Down Wind, we gain a compelling entry point into a fragmented, enthusiast space.  Scent elimination is used by more than 70% of bowhunters and is a key element of a successful hunt,” said Mr. Perekslis.  “DDW offers the most effective products in the category and exemplifies the product leadership, innovation, and compelling consumer value proposition that we are seeking in Arcus Hunting.

Bregal Partners invests from $25 million to $75 million of equity in companies operating in the consumer, food & retail, energy services and healthcare industries. Target investments generate $15 million to $75 million or more of EBITDA. The firm has $500 million of committed capital funded by a sixth-generation family foundation with roots to 1841.  Bregal is the private equity investment business of COFRA Holding AG, a European holding company for a privately-owned group of companies which also include C&A, a clothing retail organization, and Redevco, a real estate company owning a portfolio of over €7 billion across 700 properties in Europe.  Bregal Partners is based in New York (www.bregalpartners.com).

“This is an extremely exciting time for Dead Down Wind.  We had our choice of partners and it was important for me to find someone who was knowledgeable, had a passion for the industry, and a reputation for shooting straight and doing what they said they would do,” said Gary Reed, President of Dead Down Wind. “My team and I look forward to the partnership with Bregal and to building on DDW’s heritage as Arcus executes its strategy of assembling a portfolio of complementary leading brands that enhance a hunter’s experience in the field.”

Through the Arcus Hunting platform, Bregal Partners is actively engaged in the pursuit of additional investment opportunities, with particular focus on complementary brands in scents and lures, food attractants, targets, decoys, and related categories.

Harris Williams acted as financial advisor to Bregal Partners and Arcus Hunting in the transaction, and Sidley Austin served as their legal advisor.

2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 11-17-14

Peak Rock Capital Acquires Hunter’s Specialties

by

Peak Rock Capital has acquired Hunter’s Specialties, a manufacturer and supplier of hunting accessories.

“Hunter’s Specialties has a strong competitive position with a unique product portfolio, leading brands and long-standing customer relationships.  We believe Hunter’s Specialties is an excellent platform for expansion through new product development and strategic add-on acquisitions,” said Peter Leibman, Managing Director of Peak Rock Capital.  “We are excited to work with the company’s visionary founders and outstanding management team in pursuing these opportunities.”

Hunter’s Specialties is a manufacturer and supplier of branded hunting products for mass merchant and sporting goods retailers.  The company’s portfolio includes, scent control products, game calls, attractants, wildlife management products, and general hunting accessories. Brand names include Hunter’s Specialties, Scent-A-Way, HS Strut, Johnny Stewart, Vita-Rack, and Wayne Carlton’s Calls.  The company’s customers include mass merchant and sporting goods retailers and distributors.  Hunter’s Specialties was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA (www.hunterspec.com).

Peak Rock Capital makes debt and equity investments of $20 million to $150 million in middle market companies with revenues from $50 million to $1 billion and enterprise values from $25 million to $500 million. Sectors of interest include business and commercial services; consumer; distribution and logistics; energy and related services; healthcare; industrials; manufacturing, metals, and media. The firm is based in Austin (www.peakrockcapital.com).

“As demonstrated by a number of our recent acquisitions, we are actively seeking to expand our portfolio of leading consumer products companies.  We are excited to apply our resources and expertise to assist Hunter’s Specialties in enhancing its growth and strategic position,” said Anthony DiSimone, CEO of Peak Rock Capital.

© 2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-4-14