Consumer Products Acquisitions in New Jersey

Bansk Group closed a continuation fund to extend its partnership with Arcadia Consumer Healthcare, with the transaction co-led by Coller Capital and Ares Secondaries Funds and supported by investment funds managed by BlackRock, Churchill, Dextra Partners, and Future Standard. The continuation structure provided liquidity to existing investors and supplies capital to accelerate Arcadia's organic and inorganic growth across its portfolio of OTC medicines, vitamins, and personal care brands.

Kimberly-Clark agreed to acquire Kenvue, the Johnson & Johnson spin-off that owns Tylenol, Neutrogena, BAND-AID and other consumer health brands, in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at about $48.7 billion. The deal will combine major consumer-health and personal-care portfolios under Kimberly-Clark and is expected to generate pro forma 2025 net revenues of roughly $32 billion.

Argand Partners, a New York-based middle-market private equity firm, has acquired Ballet Makers Inc. (the Capezio brand) from the Terlizzi and Giacoio families; terms were not disclosed. Backcast Partners provided senior secured debt and preferred equity to support the transaction, and several family members — including CEO Michael Terlizzi — will remain invested and in management as Argand pursues product innovation and international growth.

Fitness Holdings North America, a large Crunch Fitness franchisee, acquired five gym locations from Jersey Strong Gym in Tinton Falls, Ocean Township, Wall Township, Freehold, and Marlboro, New Jersey. The deal increases Fitness Holdings' New Jersey footprint by 190,000 square feet (bringing its total to 14 facilities in the state) and includes over $20 million in planned renovations and upgrades to the acquired locations.

Digital Artistry, a New Jersey-based marketing and e-commerce agency, has acquired Croton Watches, a legacy timepiece brand founded in 1878. The deal brings Croton's e-commerce-first retail operation (over $40 million in annual revenue) under Digital Artistry's ownership with founder David Mermelstein remaining as Chairman to guide product design.

Crown Crafts, Inc. acquired substantially all of the assets of Baby Boom Consumer Products, Inc., expanding Crown Crafts' presence in the toddler bedding category and adding diaper bags and licensed-product offerings. The transaction was financed via an $8 million term loan and additional borrowings under Crown Crafts' revolving credit facility; Crown Crafts paid $18 million subject to customary working capital adjustments.

Sendayco LLC, a Dayton, Ohio–based natural consumer products company, has acquired Reviva Labs, a 51-year-old natural skincare brand. The deal brings Reviva’s product portfolio and heritage brand under Sendayco’s operations, with manufacturing and distribution consolidated into Sendayco’s Dayton facilities while Reviva will continue to operate under its brand name.

Certified Collectibles Group (CCG), a Blackstone-backed collectibles grading and authentication platform, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire James Spence Authentication (JSA), the leading autograph authentication firm. The deal will combine JSA's autograph expertise and database with CCG's grading and encapsulation services to offer collectors a seamless authentication-and-grading experience, with the JSA leadership team remaining in place after closing.

Clinical Skin has acquired cosmeceutical skincare brand Glytone from Pierre Fabre Laboratories in a strategic move to expand its science-backed product portfolio. Glytone, known for dermatologist-trusted formulations targeting aging, hyperpigmentation and acne, will be integrated into Clinical Skin's offering to further scale its presence in the skincare market.

Two Roads Advisors represented WeCool Toys (maker of Compound Kings slime and compounds) in its sale to Paladone, a portfolio company of private equity firm IVEST Consumer Partners, announced in November 2023. The acquisition brings WeCool's slime, compounds and related toy product lines into Paladone's global gift and novelty portfolio.

NFI, LLC, the owner of the Blue-Emu brand, has acquired the Bikini Zone skincare brand from CCA Industries. The deal adds Bikini Zone's bikini-area grooming product line to NFI's portfolio and is intended to expand NFI's personal care offerings and distribution reach.

BMI Merchandise, backed by KLH Capital, has acquired Peek-a-Boo Toys of Cinnaminson, New Jersey. The acquisition adds Peek-a-Boo's plush toy designs to BMI's catalog, expanding BMI's product offering and enabling entry into new end markets within the family entertainment and amusement sectors.

Sanofi has completed the acquisition of Qunol, a U.S.-based vitamins and supplements brand, to strengthen its Consumer Healthcare (CHC) portfolio in the Vitamin, Mineral and Supplements (VMS) category. The deal adds Qunol's CoQ10 and Turmeric offerings—targeting heart and joint health—to Sanofi's U.S. consumer health lineup and supports expansion into the healthy-aging segment.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. has agreed to acquire all shares of Dermaceutical Laboratories, LLC (D-LAB), a Bergen County, New Jersey-based cosmetics ODM and contract manufacturer. Mitsui will position D-LAB as the core beauty & personal care (BPC) business in the Americas, leveraging Japanese technologies and Mitsui's procurement and global network to expand capabilities and scale in the U.S. market.

Arcadia Consumer Healthcare, a Bansk Group-backed consumer healthcare platform, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Avrio Health L.P., adding brands including Betadine, Colace, Senokot and SlowMag to its portfolio. The transaction is intended to expand Arcadia's product offerings and leverage its omni-channel distribution and retail relationships to drive growth.

Society Brands, an ecommerce aggregator, has acquired Wolf Tactical, a Fort Lee, New Jersey–based tactical gear brand. Founder Tim Wu will remain as Brand President as Wolf Tactical joins Society Brands' portfolio to accelerate growth and expand the brand's product offering.

Yellow Wood Partners has completed the acquisition of the Suave beauty and personal care brand in North America from Unilever and formed a new stand‑alone Suave Brands Company to house the business. The deal, announced in February and completed in May 2023, names Daniel Alter as CEO and positions the platform to pursue additional beauty and personal care brand acquisitions.

Lenox Corporation has acquired Cambridge Silversmiths, Ltd., Inc., adding Cambridge-branded tabletop products (excluding the Thirstystone brand) to its portfolio. The acquisition expands Lenox's house of brands and distribution reach across retail channels in the U.S., Canada and internationally, while preserving Cambridge's relationships with major retailers.

Spectrum Brands Holdings completed the acquisition of the kitchen appliances and cookware categories of Tristar Products, Inc., integrating the business and employees into its Home and Personal Care segment. The deal is intended to combine complementary product portfolios and accelerate growth of a global home appliances and personal care business.

Givaudan has reached an agreement to acquire Custom Essence, a family-owned fragrance creation house based in Somerset, New Jersey. The acquisition expands Givaudan's natural-fragrance capabilities and local/regional customer reach as part of its 2025 fragrance strategy; Custom Essence employs roughly 70 people and would have represented about USD 40 million of incremental sales on a 2020 proforma basis.

Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) completed an investment in Thibaut, a long-established designer and supplier of premium wallcoverings, fabrics, and furnishings, on November 9, 2021. The PE investment will support Thibaut's growth plans across product offerings, market channels, and geographies; financial terms were not disclosed.

Goliath, the family-owned global toy and game company, has acquired Endless Games, a New Jersey-based board game and puzzle publisher. The acquisition expands Goliath's catalog and strengthens its position in the North American and global toys & games market; Endless Games will continue operating from its New Jersey office and integrate into Goliath's distribution network.

Bansk Group, a New York-based private investment firm focused on consumer brands, agreed to acquire Arcadia Consumer Healthcare, a U.S. consumer health platform known for OTC medicines and premium vitamins and supplements, from Avista Capital Partners. The transaction (announced Aug. 9, 2021 and completed Sept. 10, 2021) positions Bansk to expand its consumer health and wellness portfolio and accelerate brand-building and M&A-driven growth.

Rock Mountain Capital has purchased a majority stake in VCM Products, the Freehold, New Jersey–based owner of the BuggyBeds brand. The founders, Maria Curcio and Veronica Perlongo, remain significant minority owners and will stay active in the business; Rock Mountain plans to invest in growth, expand the product line and broaden distribution.

Lenox Corporation has acquired Hampton Forge, the 30-year-old designer, wholesaler and distributor of flatware and cutlery, adding the Hampton Forge portfolio (including Hampton Forge Signature, Tomodachi, Skandia and Argent Orfèvres) to its brand lineup. The acquisition is intended to expand Lenox's product offering and retail reach in the tabletop and home entertaining market.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. acquired Matrixx Initiatives, the maker of the Zicam over-the-counter cold remedy brand, from Gryphon Investors. The transaction, completed in December 2020, expands Church & Dwight’s consumer health portfolio and brings the Zicam brand and related product lines into its CPG portfolio (deal value reported at $530 million).

Arcadia Consumer Healthcare, a portfolio company of Avista Capital Partners, has acquired NATURELO, a premium vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) brand. The add-on expands Arcadia's product portfolio and online presence in the growing self-directed wellness market; financial terms were not disclosed.

Out There First has acquired Alex Brands and relaunched the business as Alex Global Products to house the Alex Toys, Scientific Explorer, Poof, Ideal, ZOOB and Backyard Safari brands. The buyer said it will leverage its buying power and operational efficiencies to drive revenue and profitable growth across the restructured company.

Colgate-Palmolive Company has agreed to acquire Hello Products LLC, a fast-growing premium U.S. oral care brand, from Tenth Avenue Holdings. The deal expands Colgate’s portfolio into a younger, lifestyle-oriented oral care segment and will be financed with cash and debt; Hello’s founder and CEO will remain in leadership roles.

An affiliate of Golden Touch Imports, Inc. (Jaclyn Holdings Parent LLC) completed the acquisition of Jaclyn, Inc. for $7.85 per share. The deal, announced February 2017, brings the apparel designer and manufacturer under Golden Touch’s ownership to expand product and distribution capabilities.

Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, acquired AEROSOLES, the Edison, New Jersey-based footwear brand, in a majority buyout announced June 9, 2014. Palladin will provide capital and operational support to expand AEROSOLES' retail, wholesale and e-commerce distribution (the company sells in ~30 countries, ~4,000 doors and operates ~120 retail/outlet locations); financing for the deal included debt from Wells Fargo and THL Credit.