Consumer Products Acquisitions in 2022

StairSlide acquired outdoor-play products maker b4Adventure (deal finalized December 30, 2022) to expand its product offering with nearly 200 outdoor items including ziplines, slacklines and swings. The acquisition moves StairSlide beyond indoor slide products into the backyard/outdoor active-play market and broadens its portfolio aimed at children and families.

Mentha has acquired Jollein, the Dutch specialist in baby and toddler products, to support the brand's next phase of international expansion and strengthen Mentha's position in the baby products market. Jollein, founded and led by owners Wim and Marrit Smits, is market leader in the Netherlands and currently active in 41 countries; Mentha will support further professionalization and market share growth.

Salt Creek Capital has formed Regal Products, LLC and, through the new platform, acquired Regal Industrial Sales, Inc. and Firearm Safety Devices Corp. The combined businesses supply sporting-goods accessories and firearm safety devices to OEMs, retailers and government customers; the deal is intended to expand Regal's product sourcing, on‑shore inventory management and distribution capabilities under PE backing.

CC Wellness, a Catalus Capital portfolio company and FDA‑licensed manufacturer based in Santa Clarita, California, has acquired the liquid product line of the Shibari personal lubricant brand. The add‑on deal (terms undisclosed) expands CC Wellness’s consumer intimate‑wellness portfolio and aims to grow Shibari’s e‑commerce and specialty‑retail presence while bringing manufacturing in‑house.

Designer Brands Inc. has acquired Topo Athletic, a performance athletic and outdoor footwear brand headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts. The deal brings Topo into Designer Brands' Owned Brands portfolio to expand its presence in the performance athletic, outdoor and athleisure categories; terms were not disclosed and Topo's founder Tony Post will remain as CEO of Topo reporting to Designer Brands' president.

Los Angeles-based Corbel Capital Partners acquired a minority equity stake in IcyBreeze (Sweetwater, Texas), a maker of portable air-conditioning and cooler products. The investment, which closed December 12, 2022, is intended to professionalize the business and support continued growth in unit sales, revenue, and profitability.

Dallas-based Arcis Golf has acquired TPC River's Bend, a private golf club near Cincinnati, Ohio. The acquisition expands Arcis’s portfolio of premium clubs in Ohio and will keep TPC River's Bend operating as a licensed TPC property while Arcis invests in food, beverage, programming, and clubhouse enhancements.

Prima has acquired Prospect Farms, a vertically integrated USDA Certified Organic hemp farm and manufacturing complex in Prospect, Maine, and together the businesses will operate as Uplifter Brands, PBC. The deal gives Prima in-house cultivation, formulation and fulfillment capabilities to accelerate growth across personal care, supplements, spa/hospitality and pet wellness and is backed by strategic investors including Maximalist, Greycroft, Lerer Hippeau, Global Founders Capital, Ropart Asset Management and Platform Ventures.

UK-based pet supplements company Lintbells (home of YuMOVE) has acquired Walkin' Pets, a US leader in pet mobility aids headquartered in Amherst, New Hampshire. The acquisition is intended to expand Lintbells' US footprint, add mobility aid capability to its product portfolio, and open new international distribution channels for YuMOVE.

NRG Energy has agreed to acquire Vivint Smart Home in an all-cash transaction valued at $12 per share (approximately $2.8 billion in cash plus assumed debt, $5.2 billion total enterprise value). The acquisition expands NRG's consumer-focused strategy by adding Vivint's smart-home platform, subscription-based monitoring, and approximately 1.9–2.0 million customers to NRG's portfolio, delivering recurring revenue and cross-sell opportunities.

Linden Capital Partners has acquired LifeStyles Healthcare, a global sexual health and wellness platform, from a consortium of investors including Trustar Capital and Humanwell Healthcare. The deal excludes LifeStyles' Chinese operations (including the Jissbon brand), which will be retained by the selling shareholders; Linden has named Laurent Faracci as incoming CEO and Ron Fugate as Chairman to drive commercial, brand, and innovation-led growth.

Circle Graphics, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, has acquired JONDO, Ltd., a Yorba Linda, California-based provider of personalized photo products. JONDO will join Circle's Sensaria division, expanding its consumer-facing personalized products portfolio and regional fulfillment capacity; the deal represents Circle's sixth add-on since being acquired by H.I.G.

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA) acquired two emerging health and wellness companies: Rise Bar, a protein bar manufacturer, and Oola, a direct-selling personal development company. The acquisitions are intended to expand USANA’s product portfolio, channels, and growth capabilities by leveraging the targets’ products, networks, and technology.

Spin Master Corp. has agreed to acquire Canadian puzzle maker 4D Brands International Inc., adding the company's premium 3D puzzle and model construction kits and licensed collectibles to Spin Master's puzzles and games portfolio. The deal — expected to close January 2023 — will see 4D founder Shaun Sakdinan join Spin Master as Senior Director of Design in Toronto, Ontario.

Lakeshirts/Blue84 acquired California-based Coastal Classics to expand its art and product offerings and incorporate the Coastal Classics line into its Yesterdays division. The deal brings a resort-apparel line known for California coastal imagery under Lakeshirts' portfolio to broaden its resort and beach-life product assortment.

Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired L2 Brands, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom apparel and headwear serving the collegiate, destination/leisure and corporate markets. The purchase expands Sentinel’s branded consumer products platform and supports growth of L2’s integrated design-to-shipment manufacturing capabilities, which include facilities in Hanover, Pennsylvania and San Salvador, El Salvador. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Estée Lauder Companies has acquired the TOM FORD brand and all related intellectual property in a transaction valuing the enterprise at $2.8 billion. ELC paid approximately $2.25 billion at closing (offset by $250 million from Marcolin) and will license TOM FORD fashion to Ermenegildo Zegna Group and eyewear to Marcolin under long-term agreements.

Gauge Capital has partnered with the founders and management team of RIP-IT in a recapitalization to support the athletic equipment and footwear brand's next phase of growth. The investment will help RIP-IT expand marketing reach and continue developing female-focused sports products across its RIP-IT, Ringor, and Defender brands.

Philip Morris Holland Holdings B.V. (an affiliate of Philip Morris International) declared its public offer for Swedish Match unconditional after receiving tenders representing ~82.6% of the share capital and subsequently purchased additional shares to reach ~85.9%. The offer priced shares at SEK 116 (reduced to SEK 115.07 for tenders in the extended period due to a dividend), with PMHH aiming to exceed 90% ownership to delist Swedish Match and integrate its oral nicotine portfolio with PMI’s IQOS business.

Heyday, a San Francisco-based consumer-products platform, has acquired ZitSticka, a digitally-native acne-treatment skincare brand. The acquisition expands Heyday’s personal care portfolio and leverages its omnichannel capabilities to scale ZitSticka’s award-winning acne-patch products and growing retail distribution (Target, Ulta) for future growth.

An investor group led by North Castle Partners will purchase a majority ownership position in NEST New York from Eurazeo in a transaction that values NEST at approximately $200 million. Eurazeo and founder Laura Slatkin will retain minority stakes; the deal is expected to close at the end of November. North Castle plans to partner with management to scale the fragrance lifestyle brand across categories and geographies.

5th Century Partners has made a $20 million growth investment in Peace Out Skincare, the DTC beauty brand known for its OTC-approved Acne Dot and other skincare products. The capital will fund Peace Out's domestic and international expansion, new product launches, increased marketing, and hiring to scale operations.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Regent L.P. has acquired HanesBrands' European innerwear business, Hanes Europe Innerwear (HEI), in a transaction announced in November 2021 and completed in early 2022. The deal (reported at a symbolic €1) transfers ownership of HEI — which operates brands including Dim, Playtex, Shock Absorber, Abanderado, Nur Die, Lovable and others across France, Spain, Germany and Italy — to Regent, which plans to provide financial support and operational expertise to reposition the brands for growth.

Boosted Commerce, a Los Angeles-based eCommerce platform that acquires and grows DTC brands, has acquired Happy Healthy Hippie, a plant-based nutritional supplement brand founded in Ocean Beach, California. The deal expands Boosted's presence in the better-for-you supplements category and adds Happy Healthy Hippie's subscription customer base to Boosted's portfolio.

Francisco Partners has made a strategic growth investment in Glorious, a Dallas-based lifestyle PC gaming hardware brand. The transaction (closed October 2022) will fund product innovation, expansion into adjacent categories and new geographies; Pat Wachendorf was named CEO while founder Shazim Mohammad remains a significant equity holder.

Kids2, LLC acquired the assets of Baby Dream Company Inc., adding the Baby Dream Machine to its Ingenuity brand portfolio. The acquisition brings the DTC-born sleep device into Kids2's global distribution network to broaden product offerings in infant sleep and soothing solutions.

Stride Consumer Partners, a Boston-based growth-equity firm, made a minority investment in Patrick Ta Beauty to support the luxury cosmetics brand's next phase of growth. The funding will be used to drive brand awareness, expand the product portfolio and distribution at Sephora in the U.S., and build out the team.

Tenth Avenue Holdings, LLC has acquired Oughton, an equestrian‑inspired handcrafted luxury leather goods and accessories brand headquartered in Bingen, Washington. Melissa Hubbard was named CEO to lead a relaunch; Oughton products are manufactured in Argentina and sold direct‑to‑consumer at oughton.com and through tack shops across the United States.

B. Riley Principal Investments, an affiliate of B. Riley Financial, has acquired Targus (Targus Cayman HoldCo Limited), a global designer and maker of laptop/tablet cases, backpacks, docking stations and computer accessories, in a transaction valued at approximately $250 million enterprise value. The deal, which includes bank financing and seller financing, positions Targus as a portfolio company of B. Riley Principal Investments while Targus CEO Mikel Williams continues to lead the business from its Anaheim, California headquarters.

Mubadala Capital, in partnership with TruFood management, has acquired AOG, LLC d/b/a TruFood Manufacturing from funds affiliated with AUA Private Equity Partners. TruFood, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a contract manufacturer of nutrition and snack products; the acquisition is intended to accelerate growth, expand market reach, and advance product development while TruFood remains a stand-alone business.

Ironbridge Equity Partners, together with Kore's management team, has acquired a controlling interest in Kore Outdoor Inc. from Fulcrum Capital Partners. Kore Outdoor, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, is a global manufacturer and distributor of paintballs and paintball-related products; Ironbridge says the investment will support the company's growth and product innovation.

National Tree Company, a portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, has acquired Scentsicles, an Atlanta-based market leader in scented seasonal ornaments. The acquisition adds a branded scented-ornament offering to National Tree’s holiday décor portfolio; Woodbridge International advised Scentsicles on the sale.

EagleTree Capital, via its EagleTree Partners V fund, has acquired artisan home-decor brand MacKenzie-Childs from Castanea Partners; terms were not disclosed. Stellus Capital Management provided senior debt financing and an equity co-invest to support the transaction, and MacKenzie-Childs will operate as a new platform within EagleTree's portfolio with management and operations remaining in place.

Brand Velocity Group (BVG) has acquired SCORE Sports, a U.S.-based designer, manufacturer, and seller of youth team sports uniforms and equipment. BVG mobilized institutional and athlete investors (including abrdn and Ocean Avenue Capital Partners) to support the acquisition and plans to accelerate SCORE’s growth using its marketing resources, athlete networks, and employee-focused Share the Gains program.

Quilvest Capital Partners has signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Les Secrets de Loly, a premium French natural haircare brand founded by Kelly Massol. Massol will retain a majority stake, and Quilvest will support the company's growth plans focused on product innovation and international distribution expansion.

Vision Healthcare has acquired 100% of AixSwiss BV, the Dutch owner of the fast-growing probiotic nutraceutical brand Nupure, which generated approximately €20m in sales in 2022. The deal strengthens Vision Healthcare’s pan‑European digital omni‑channel VMS and nutraceutical platform and adds probiotic product capability and DACH e‑commerce reach to its portfolio.

L'Oréal has signed an agreement to acquire Skinbetter Science, a physician-dispensed U.S. skincare brand known for dermatology-backed, clinical formulations. Skinbetter Science—headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and reporting nearly $95 million in trailing‑12‑month sales to August 31, 2022—will be integrated into L'Oréal USA's Active Cosmetics Division while its leadership team remains in place.

Amare Global has acquired Kyäni, Inc., a global health and wellness company known for its nutritional supplement portfolio and direct-selling distributor network. The deal brings Kyäni founders and certain family shareholders into Amare as shareholders and board representation, and is intended to accelerate Amare's global expansion and product offering.

Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) has completed the acquisition of Johnny Was, a Los Angeles–based affordable luxury, modern bohemian apparel brand, for $270 million. The purchase expands Oxford's portfolio of lifestyle brands and is expected to contribute materially to fiscal 2022 sales and EPS; the transaction was financed primarily with cash on hand and approximately $100 million of revolver borrowings.

Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB) acquired The AOS Group Inc., maker of the Art of Sport athlete-focused body and skincare brand, in an all-stock transaction that closed on September 12, 2022. The deal brings the Kobe Bryant–cofounded brand into Starco's consumer-products portfolio to leverage Starco's manufacturing, distribution and marketing capabilities and expand AOS into adjacent categories.

Antelope, the consumer pet platform backed by Alpine Investors, has acquired Ark Naturals, a U.S.-based natural pet health and wellness brand. Ark Naturals will continue to operate under its brand with Michael Stoeckle remaining CEO; the deal was an add-on to Antelope's portfolio (Antelope is Alpine's pet platform) and Azalea Capital was the seller.

Purple Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL) has acquired Intellibed, a sleep health and wellness company known for its Gel Matrix mattress technology. The deal consolidates related gel/IP under Purple, expands Purple’s premium-to-luxury product range, and aims to accelerate product development and market reach while retaining Intellibed employees.

Amorepacific Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tata's Natural Alchemy, LLC (Tata Harper), a Vermont-based luxury clean beauty skincare brand. The deal, expected to close in early Q4 2022, will keep co-founder Tata Harper in a leadership role and aims to expand the brand's footprint in North America, Europe and Asia while leveraging Amorepacific's R&D and distribution capabilities.

Audax Private Equity completed a strategic growth investment in Salon Lofts, a Columbus, Ohio-based operator of salon suites, in a transaction that closed on August 31, 2022. The deal (which included a rollover of a portion of Friend Skoler & Co.'s equity) will support Salon Lofts' expansion through acquisitions, new unit openings and enhanced service offerings.

Society Brands, an e-commerce aggregator, has acquired Power Theory, a consumer electronics brand specializing in screen protectors and mobile accessories. The deal accompanies strategic hiring of former mophie team members — including Charlie Quong as Chief Product Officer — and positions Power Theory's founder Matt Dreier as Brand President to help scale the brand within Society Brands' portfolio.

Avista Capital Partners completed the acquisition of WellSpring Consumer Healthcare from Audax Private Equity. WellSpring, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, is a developer and marketer of over-the-counter and personal care brands (including Bactine, Bonine, Emetrol and Glaxal Base); Avista plans to support growth through product innovation, distribution expansion and strategic acquisitions.

Cadman Capital Group has acquired The Waiter's Friend Company, a UK-based supplier of wine accessories serving fine dining, hospitality and events. The acquisition is an add-on to Cadman’s recently launched Cadman Wine business and is intended to broaden the group’s wine portfolio, expand its product offering and customer base.

Japonesque, in partnership with Topspin Consumer Partners, has acquired the Barefoot Scientist brand from founder Dana Ward. The acquisition adds a female-founded premium foot care brand to Japonesque's beauty portfolio and aims to accelerate retail and online distribution using Japonesque's channel expertise and Topspin's support.

Fernandez Holdings, Inc. (FHI), a Los Angeles–based long-term investment firm, acquired Kash-LAX — a combined ammunition development, manufacturing and retail business comprised of Kash CA LLC, L.A.X. Firing Range LLC and Xtreme Bullets Mfg LLC. The transaction (terms undisclosed) is intended to support expansion of the company's manufacturing capabilities, facilities and vertically integrated DTC and retail operations.

GOLFTEC has entered a definitive agreement to acquire SkyTrak, the leading consumer golf launch monitor and simulator. The acquisition will combine GOLFTEC’s coaching network and digital capabilities with SkyTrak’s hardware and simulation products to expand GOLFTEC’s digital-first improvement offerings; Jeff Foster will be appointed CEO of SkyTrak.