Consumer Products Acquisitions in Minnesota

Cricket Hill Inc., doing business as Archway Pet Food, has acquired Bright Planet Pet, a Minnesota-based maker of 100% plant-based dog treats. Bright Planet will continue operating under its brand while joining Archway's operational platform and distribution network; founder Katherine Ellison will join Archway's advisory board.

An affiliate of Gemspring Capital Management has acquired Creative Labs and United Hair Care in partnership with CEO Brett Simmons. Creative Labs is a vertically integrated manufacturer and developer of branded and contract-manufactured haircare and skincare products headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota; financial terms were not disclosed.

Strategic Value Partners (SVP) completed an all-cash acquisition of Revelyst for an enterprise value of $1.125 billion. Under the deal Revelyst stockholders received $20.12 per share and Revelyst common stock ceased trading on the NYSE; SVP said it will invest in the company's transformation and growth of its outdoor recreation brands.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands, backed by EBSCO Capital, has acquired Ani-Logics Outdoors, a Worthington, Minnesota-based maker of scientifically formulated deer nutrition products. The acquisition is an add-on to PRADCO's hunting and outdoor portfolio and will keep Ani-Logics' research, warehouse and manufacturing operations in Worthington, MN.

HALO Dream Inc., a Transom Capital-backed portfolio company, has acquired BreathableBaby LLC, a designer and manufacturer of patented breathable mesh juvenile sleep products. BreathableBaby will be integrated into HALO’s juvenile sleep portfolio to expand product offerings, safety innovation and e-commerce reach; the deal was financed with a senior secured facility from MidCap.

Hillman Solutions Corp. acquired Koch Industries, Inc., a Minneapolis-based provider and merchandiser of rope, twine, chain, wire rope and related hardware products. The bolt-on acquisition expands Hillman's product portfolio into the rope and chain category and enables cross-selling and sourcing/shipping efficiencies with Hillman's existing distribution network.

Minneapolis-based clean hair care brand Odele has received a minority growth investment from Stride Consumer Partners to fund marketing, talent and product innovation. The founders remain majority shareholders as Odele continues rapid retail and DTC expansion (available at Target, CVS and Ulta) following strong year-over-year growth.

In October 2023, Vexilar and AWC Distributing (d/b/a K-Drill) — two Bloomington, Minnesota-based companies that develop and sell ice-fishing products — were sold 100% to investor Rob Jablonski and financial buyer Valiant Wealth. Cherry Tree advised the companies and their shareholders on the sale, which transfers ownership while aiming to preserve the businesses’ product lines, customer service and employee environment.

Blue Point Capital Partners acquired eyebobs, the omnichannel designer of premium reading glasses, in a deal that closed on April 6, 2023. The acquisition adds eyebobs to Blue Point’s growing eyewear platform alongside its recent platform investment in Europa Eyewear and is intended to drive B2B and B2C growth through complementary brands and capabilities.

Crown Crafts, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRWS) has acquired Manhattan Toy, a Minneapolis-based maker of developmental toys and early-childhood products. D.A. Davidson served as exclusive financial advisor to Manhattan Toy and its parent H Enterprises International in the sale to Crown Crafts, which expands Crown Crafts' juvenile product portfolio.

Ultra PRO International LLC, a California-based manufacturer of gaming and collectibles accessories, has acquired Legion Supplies, Inc., a Burnsville, Minnesota–based tabletop gaming accessories maker and operator of MTGproshop.com. The acquisition brings Legion’s product lines and Minnesota manufacturing capabilities into Ultra PRO’s distribution network to expand product assortment, manufacturing capacity, and cross-selling opportunities.

Win Brands Group raised $40 million in a financing led by Orangewood Partners to expand its omnichannel retail platform and to fund the acquisition of mission-driven outdoor and lifestyle brand Love Your Melon. The deal adds Love Your Melon to Win's portfolio, enabling the brand to access Win's shared services and scale across channels while Orangewood supports Win's growth.

Worldwise, an A&M Capital Partners-backed pet supplies platform, has acquired Kitty Sift, an eco‑sustainable cat litter and accessories brand headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The acquisition will integrate Kitty Sift into the Worldwise platform to expand its cat litter and accessories offering and broaden omni‑channel retail and eCommerce distribution.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) acquired D&D Commodities Ltd., a premium bird feed manufacturer headquartered in Stephen, Minnesota, adding the 3D, Wild Delight, Better Bird and L'Avian Plus brands to its portfolio. The deal (closed June 30) expands Central's bird feed category capabilities and strengthens its relationships with major retailers, farm & feed stores, garden centers and online channels.

Clearview Capital (Fund IV), in partnership with its holding company Vertikal Brands, recapitalized Revo Brand Group d/b/a Real Avid, a Plymouth, Minnesota-based designer and supplier of premium shooting and outdoor accessories. The transaction provides Real Avid with growth capital and pairs the company with Vertikal Brands' outdoor industry expertise to support organic and inorganic expansion.

Guy & O'Neill, Inc., a portfolio company of Centre Partners, has acquired Boomerang Laboratories, Inc., a Spring Park, Minnesota-based liquid-fill manufacturer of personal care and light-duty household cleaning products. The deal expands Guy & O'Neill's liquid-fill capacity and product breadth (Boomerang operates a 75,000 sq. ft. facility); financial terms were not disclosed.

Dan Dee International, a portfolio company of IVEST Consumer Partners, has acquired Animal Adventure, LLC, a plush and soft-goods manufacturer that was a portfolio company of Spell Capital Partners. The deal closed in Q1 2020; Animal Adventure will operate as a separate brand with founder Peter Gainsley serving as President. D.A. Davidson & Co. served as exclusive financial advisor to Animal Adventure on the transaction.

Carlson Private Capital Partners made a significant investment to take a long-term position in founder-owned Lakeshirts / Blue 84, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of customized apparel headquartered in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Yukon Partners provided mezzanine financing in support of the transaction to back Carlson's platform investment and the company's next phase of growth.

Wind Point Partners portfolio company Targeted PetCare has acquired sWheat Scoop, a manufacturer of 100% wheat-based biodegradable cat litter, from Farmers Union Industries. The add-on expands TPC's alternative cat litter offering and broadens its branded product portfolio to accelerate growth across retail and distribution channels.

Tender Corporation, a Victor Capital Partners-backed outdoor consumer products platform, has acquired RapidPure, a maker of portable water purification systems using UltraCeram technology. The deal adds virus- and bacteria-removing purification products to Tender’s portfolio and expands RapidPure’s distribution into Tender’s outdoor specialty, mass market, and online channels.

R2P Pet, a pet products manufacturer, has acquired Ultra Paws, a Minnesota-based maker of dog boots, apparel and outdoor accessories. The acquisition will provide Ultra Paws with greater resources to expand product lines, innovate into new categories and broaden domestic and international distribution channels.

Manna Pro Products, LLC has acquired PetzLife Products Inc., adding the all‑natural PetzLife oral care and companion pet products to Manna Pro's Pet Care/Companion Animal business. The acquisition brings PetzLife's veterinarian-recommended dental products and related grooming and care items into Manna Pro's broader manufacturing, sales and marketing platform to expand its pet care product portfolio.

aden + anais, a portfolio company of Swander Pace Capital, has acquired HALO Innovations, a maker of award‑winning wearable blankets and infant sleep products. The acquisition combines complementary juvenile soft‑goods brands to expand product offerings and distribution across major U.S. and international retailers.

Denver-based Classic Brands LLC has acquired Hiatt Mfg. Corporation of Winona, Minnesota, expanding Classic Brands' product portfolio and distribution reach. The deal adds the Stokes Select bird-feeder brand and broadens the combined company's presence across the lawn & garden, hardware and pet retail channels.