Mason Wells has acquired Buffalo Games, a manufacturer, and marketer of jigsaw puzzles and board games, from the company’s founders Paul and Eden Dedrick. Mason Wells partnered with CEO Nagendra Raina and other members of the company’s management team on this transaction.
According to Mason Wells, Buffalo Games is the largest manufacturer of jigsaw puzzles in the US – the company designs and manufactures millions of puzzles each year – and is also a leading provider of party and board games for adults, children and families. The company’s portfolio of board, table and party games includes such titles as Watch Ya Mouth, Brain Games, The Voting Game, Skee-Ball, Silly Street, and Plingpong.
Buffalo Games sells its products through the mass retail, e-commerce, specialty, bookstore, grocery and craft/hobby channels. Buffalo Games was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Buffalo, NY (www.buffalogames.com).
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a world-class management team at the helm of Buffalo Games,” said Ben Holbrook, Managing Director at Mason Wells. “Nagendra and his team have built a powerful innovation platform that was founded over 30 years ago by Paul and Eden Dedrick. The company’s dynamic culture and the strong relationships it has forged with licensors, retailers and suppliers, are key aspects of the company’s success and future growth opportunities. We look forward to supporting the team as they continue to drive innovation and growth in the expanding puzzle and games categories.”
Mason Wells makes investments in Midwest-based companies with revenues of $25 million to $300 million and EBITDAs of $5 million to $30 million. Sectors of interest include consumer packaged goods; packaging materials and converting; outsourced business services; and engineered products and services. In February 2016, Mason Wells held a final closing of Mason Wells Buyout Fund IV and its related Executive Buyout Fund IV with total commitments of $615 million. The firm was founded in 1998 and is based in Milwaukee (www.masonwells.com).
“The last few years have seen Buffalo Games achieve rapid success in both the board game and jigsaw puzzle categories across the retail landscape and, in particular, with mass market and online retailers,” said Mr. Raina. “Buffalo Games’ biggest asset is our team and innovative culture that nurtures creativity and consumer engagement in a fast-paced and fun environment. This partnership with Mason Wells will continue to accelerate growth and open up new opportunities for us. Importantly, it will allow us to extend our strong innovation and growth platform, and further strengthen our deep relationships with our retailers, licensors & inventors. This is an exciting time to be a Buffalo Gamer.”
The buy of Buffalo Games is the second gaming related transaction closed by Mason Wells recently. Earlier this month, the firm acquired EastPoint Sports, a supplier of indoor and outdoor recreational sporting goods. The company’s products are sold through both traditional retail and e-commerce channels and include bean bag toss, table tennis, volleyball and badminton nets, and indoor basketball hoops. EastPoint is headquartered in Succasunna, NJ with an additional office in Shanghai, China (www.eastpointsports.com).
© 2018 Private Equity Professional | September 20, 2018
