Guardian Capital Partners has acquired Carson-Dellosa Publishing, a provider of K-8 supplemental educational products. Guardian partnered with the senior management team of the company who will continue operating the company.
Carson-Dellosa products include digital and print workbooks, test-prep, hands-on learning materials and classroom décor and resources. The company’s products are sold under the Spectrum, Summer Bridge, and Carson-Dellosa Education brands. Carson-Dellosa’s products are used in over 1,000 schools and can be purchased at over 10,000 retail locations in addition to its direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. The company was founded in 1976 by Stephen Carson, Patti Carson and Janet Dellosa. Carson-Dellosa, led by CEO Al Greco, is headquartered in Greensboro, NC (www.carsondellosa.com).
“Carson-Dellosa has a backbone of extraordinary content and distribution,” said Scott Evans, a Managing Partner of Guardian. “Whether in print or digital format, and whether to complement teacher curriculum or solve for student needs for reinforcement or enrichment, Carson-Dellosa is a leading product of choice.”
Guardian Capital Partners makes control investments in lower middle market private companies located primarily in the United States that have annual revenues between $20 million and $100 million. Sectors of interest include consumer products, niche manufacturing and specialty business services. The firm is based in Wayne, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia (www.Guardiancp.com).
“The management team of Carson-Dellosa has a great vision for growth,” said Adrian Ironside, a Principal of Guardian. “We are excited to further develop and accelerate these strategies and build upon the company’s strong legacy of success.”
Wells Fargo provided senior financing and Patriot Capital provided mezzanine financing in support of the transaction.
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