Consumer Products Acquisitions in North Carolina

FoodScience, LLC has acquired Natural Dog Company, a North Carolina–based maker of dog care products and supplements. The deal—terms not disclosed—is FoodScience's first acquisition since becoming a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners and expands FoodScience's presence in pet wellness and supplements.

American Exchange Group (AXNY Group) has acquired Urban Skin Rx, a clinical skincare brand focused on treatments for diverse skin tones. The acquisition expands AXNY's beauty and personal care portfolio and aims to grow Urban Skin Rx's direct-to-consumer business, product range, and global retail presence.

Authentic Brands Group has completed the acquisition of the Champion brand and certain operating assets from HanesBrands. As part of the deal, Authentic granted a license for Champion's U.S. collegiate apparel and teamwear business to GearCo, which will be managed by Ames Watson (with Fanatics as an investor), to drive growth in the collegiate and teamwear markets.

Renfro Brands has acquired MJ Soffe (Soffe), the iconic athletic and lifestyle apparel brand, as part of a strategic effort to broaden its product portfolio and deepen its presence in the retail activewear market. The deal transfers the Soffe brand from Delta Apparel to Renfro and will allow Renfro to expand into apparel categories beyond its core socks and legwear business.

Topspin Consumer Partners has made a minority growth investment in Carpe, a Durham, North Carolina–based digitally-native sweat control and personal care brand; financial terms were not disclosed. Carpe founders David Spratte and Kasper Kubica will remain in leadership as Topspin provides strategic support to scale the business and expand into retail channels.

Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. (OTCPK: KGKG), a Florida-based holding company focused on better-for-you and functional beverages, has acquired Covert LLC, a consumer packaged goods maker of hemp-derived cannabinoid and kratom products. The acquisition makes Covert a wholly owned subsidiary and is intended to expand Kona Gold's product portfolio, geographic footprint (Covert operates facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida) and revenue channels.

Nexus Capital Management will acquire a 65% majority stake in Dollar Shave Club from Unilever, with Unilever retaining a 35% minority holding. Financial terms were not disclosed; the transaction is expected to close this year subject to customary conditions. Nexus said it will invest in marketing, product innovation and use Dollar Shave Club as a platform for additional brands.

Indian Trail, North Carolina-based 2 Hounds Design has acquired Greensboro-based Yellow Dog Design, combining two pet-accessory businesses and consolidating manufacturing operations in North Carolina. The deal preserves local manufacturing and brings Yellow Dog's pattern and production-art capabilities under 2 Hounds' product portfolio; Aramar Capital Group served as financial advisor to the transaction.

David Peyser Sportswear, a family-owned apparel company based in Bay Shore, New York, has purchased MagnaReady, the adaptive apparel brand founded by Maura Horton known for its patented magnetic-closure clothing. The acquisition gives David Peyser access to MagnaReady's patented technology and branded product line to expand into the adaptive/aging-consumer apparel market.

Tyson 2.0 has acquired a majority stake in Ric Flair Drip, Inc., giving the Mike Tyson-led cannabis company control of Ric Flair’s trademarks and IP to launch cannabis flower and edible products under the Ric Flair brand. The deal expands Tyson 2.0’s celebrity-led “house of brands” strategy and positions the company to roll out Ric Flair–branded products through its existing retail and multi-state operator partnerships.

MacNeill Pride Group (MPG), a portfolio company of Centre Partners, has acquired Rightline Gear, an Asheville, North Carolina-based designer and manufacturer of automotive and outdoor gear. The acquisition is an add-on to MPG's outdoor platform and will expand its camping and automotive product offerings; Rightline's founder and CEO Loran Evans will remain with the company.

Perch, a Boston-based technology-driven commerce company, has acquired Web Deals Direct, one of the largest Amazon FBA sellers, which generated over $80 million in revenue. The deal includes a 230,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Corona, California, and expands Perch's portfolio and fulfillment capabilities for its growing D2C and Amazon brand platform.

American Industrial Partners (AIP) completed the acquisition of Domtar Personal Care, the personal hygiene products division of Domtar Corporation, in a transaction valued at $920 million. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Domtar Personal Care (approximately 2,000 employees) manufactures adult incontinence, infant and related personal hygiene products across multiple North American and European facilities; AIP will provide operational resources to drive improvement and future growth.

Circle Graphics, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, has acquired Graphik Dimensions, a High Point, North Carolina-based provider of customized framed wall décor products. The add-on expands Circle's online wall décor and personalized products offering and aims to scale mass-customization capabilities across consumer and commercial channels.

Ceva Santé Animale, a France-based animal health company, has acquired ThunderWorks (Thundershirt), a Durham, North Carolina maker of pet calming products, from private equity owner Encore Consumer Capital. Encore partnered with ThunderWorks for seven years to grow the brand and e‑commerce presence; Ceva said the brand is well positioned for continued growth as part of its companion‑animal portfolio.

Spinrite, a Listowel, Ontario-based craft company, will acquire the North American Crafts business of Coats Group plc, including the Red Heart, Coats & Clark, Aunt Lydia and Susan Bates brands (with Anchor, Dual Duty XP and J&P Coats licensed for varying terms). The deal, announced January 2019, expands Spinrite’s product assortment into sewing thread, embroidery thread and zippers; Spinrite is backed by Comvest Partners, which provided financial sponsorship for the transaction.