Consumer Products Acquisitions in Ohio

Buffalo Games announced the acquisition of Boogie Board, the reusable writing and drawing tablet brand originally commercialized by Kent Displays. The purchase expands Buffalo Games' consumer enrichment product portfolio — bringing Boogie Board's creative-play and learning-focused electronics into Buffalo Games' retail and e-commerce channels while maintaining existing distribution.

Elliott Investment Management acquired a majority ownership stake in American Greetings, with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) and the Weiss family retaining significant minority positions. The transaction, financed with committed financing from Barclays, UBS and BofA Securities, positions American Greetings to accelerate growth across product categories, digital offerings and geographies.

Mace Security International, Inc. completed a going-private merger effective December 6, 2024, under which Merger Sub merged into the company and the company became wholly owned by W Electric Intermediate Holdings, LLC. Each outstanding share (other than excluded or dissenting shares) was cancelled in exchange for $0.015777 in cash per share, with potential additional contingent consideration; Charles A. Gaddis was appointed Stockholders' Representative.

Prosourcefit, a Pilot Wave Holdings portfolio company, has acquired Hyggelight, a small premium candle brand known for its sustainable "Growing Candle" product. The add-on expands Prosourcefit's lifestyle and wellness product offering and will leverage Prosourcefit's and Pilot Wave's capabilities to scale Hyggelight.

Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, LLC has acquired Midwest Equipment Sales, LLC. WhiteHorse Capital provided a new first-lien credit facility to support the acquisition, refinance existing debt, and pay related transaction expenses; Westinghouse says the deal will help restore its manufacturing and product-innovation capabilities and leverage MWE's retail relationships.

Creative Brands, a Phoenix-based distribution and manufacturing firm, has acquired P. Graham Dunn Company of Dalton, Ohio. The deal transfers ownership from the company’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to Creative Brands, which plans to expand P. Graham Dunn’s production and distribution capabilities and strengthen its marketing across retail channels.

Bansk Group, a New York-based consumer-focused private investment firm, has acquired Foundation Wellness, a Wadsworth, Ohio-based consumer health & wellness platform that manages specialty orthotics brands including PowerStep and Currex. The company was purchased from Gridiron Capital; financial terms were not disclosed and Foundation Wellness' existing management team will remain in place.

Marubeni Growth Capital US (MGCU), the U.S. growth equity platform of Marubeni Corporation, completed its inaugural investment by acquiring RG Barry Brands (RGB) on June 4, 2024, with Blackstone exiting and Mill Road Capital retaining a minority stake. MGCU will use RGB as the cornerstone of a next-generation multi-brand consumer platform to drive organic and inorganic growth across RGB’s Dearfoams, Baggallini, Columbus Product Group and Planet A brands.

Imperial, a Missouri-based headwear manufacturer owned by investment vehicle CPC, has acquired Pukka Inc., a Findlay, Ohio designer and manufacturer of custom headwear serving golf, action sports and team sporting goods markets. Financial terms were not disclosed; Pukka's management and operations will remain in place and the brands will be run separately as Imperial (a CPC portfolio company) looks to expand its product and channel footprint.

Society Brands, a tech-enabled consumer products platform, has acquired Akron, Ohio–based Primal Life Organics to expand its portfolio of direct-to-consumer and retail personal care brands. The founders will remain involved (Trina Felber as brand president), and Primal Life's more than 20 employees will stay in place as Society works to scale the brand's DTC business and expand retail distribution.

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.

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.

Cincy Brands, a Cincinnati-based, technology-driven consumer products acquirer, has acquired Vitabox, an online seller of vitamins, personal care and pet supplies. The deal gives Cincy Brands marketplace selling, loyalty and fulfillment capabilities to scale its portfolio and accelerate go-to-market for acquired brands.

Homewerks Worldwide, LLC has acquired the Shower and Specialty Plumbing business from Waxman Consumer Products Group, adding showerheads, faucets, valves and packaged plumbing repair lines along with associated IP and transitioning employees. The deal expands Homewerks' product portfolio and builds on its growth strategy following a 2021 growth investment from H.I.G. Capital.

Foundation Wellness, a Gridiron Capital-backed manufacturer of insoles and foot care products, has acquired Doctor Hoy's Natural Pain Relief, a U.S.-made topical analgesic brand. The add-on acquisition expands Foundation Wellness's product portfolio into natural topical pain relief and complements its existing brands such as PowerStep and Foot Petals.

Signature Brands, a Traub Capital Partners-backed consumer products platform, has acquired Brand Castle, a Bedford Heights, Ohio maker of baking and decorating kits, gingerbread houses and licensed baking mixes. The acquisition is an add-on to Signature Brands' portfolio intended to expand its product assortment, seasonal capabilities and retail presence across mass merchants.

Juggernaut Capital Partners has sold the Dapple Baby brand to Eleeo Brands. Dapple, a plant-based baby cleaning and personal care product brand (previously part of the Noble Holdings platform), will join Eleeo's family of family-focused health & wellness brands, including Boogie Wipes, to expand its retail and e-commerce presence.

Insight Equity Holdings LLC completed a majority recapitalization of Easy Way Leisure Corporation, a Cincinnati-based designer and manufacturer of premium outdoor cushions, pillows, umbrellas, covers and drapes. The transaction (closed January 15, 2021) pairs Easy Way with Insight Equity to support growth, operational improvements and expansion of the Company's manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

Lasko Products, LLC has acquired Guardian Technologies, LLC, the maker of GermGuardian and PureGuardian consumer air-purification products. The deal brings Guardian's air-purification capabilities and branded product lines into Lasko's home environment portfolio; Lasko is a portfolio company of Comvest Partners with support from executive partner JW Levin Management Partners.

Seawall Capital, a middle‑market private equity firm, acquired Kent Water Sports Holdings, LLC (Kent) for an undisclosed amount; the transaction closed on December 31, 2020. Seawall said it will partner with Kent’s management and the Archer family to provide capital and resources to accelerate organic growth and pursue future acquisitions across Kent’s portfolio of action‑sports brands.

Scott's Liquid Gold acquired the Biz and Dryel laundry brands from CR Brands, a portfolio company of Resilience Capital Partners. Business Capital arranged a $10 million acquisition credit facility with UMB Bank to finance the transaction and support working capital for the combined businesses.

Spectrum Brands Pet, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., acquired substantially all of the assets of Omega Sea LLC, the maker of the Omega One aquatics nutrition brand. The acquisition adds Omega Sea's aquatics nutrition and care products to Spectrum Brands Global Pet Care portfolio to expand its aquarium product offerings and retailer relationships while maintaining current operations.

Castle Harlan, Inc. and Branford Castle Partners have acquired Sunless, Inc., the global maker of spray tanning booths, solutions and handheld equipment (brands include MysticTan, VersaSpa and Norvell). The sellers included funds controlled by The Riverside Company and certain current and former management; the deal closed August 13, 2019 and terms were not disclosed. Sunless is headquartered in Macedonia, Ohio and is the industry leader in spray tanning booths and solutions installed across salons, fitness clubs and retail channels.

CapitalWorks, through its Fund IV vehicle, acquired Essco, a leading U.S. value-added distributor of floorcare products, from Cardinal Equity Partners. Terms were not disclosed; CapitalWorks said it will accelerate Essco's growth by enhancing product offerings and e-commerce capabilities (Dan Sustar to join the advisory board) with senior financing provided by First Commonwealth Bank.

Juggernaut Capital Partners has acquired Crystal, the natural mineral salt deodorant brand, from French Transit, Limited. Headwaters MB advised French Transit on the sale; financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition expands Juggernaut's consumer products portfolio in the natural personal care category.

Aterian Investment Partners, through an affiliate, has acquired Step2, a branded designer and manufacturer of large-format plastic toys headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio. The deal combines Step2 with Aterian's existing platform Backyard Discovery to create the largest outdoor toy company in North America and expand market share across playsets, playhouses, ride-ons and home & garden products.