Consumer Products Acquisitions in Tennessee

Creative Brands, a Phoenix-based distribution, importing and manufacturing subsidiary of CBC Group, has acquired C.R. Gibson, a Nashville-based maker of memory books, stationery and gifting products. The acquisition adds C.R. Gibson’s four brands and broad retail presence (products sold at over 10,000 gift retailers across the U.S., Canada and the U.K.) to Creative Brands’ portfolio.

Wellful, a Kainos Capital portfolio company, has acquired Ancient Nutrition from VMG Partners, Hillhouse Investment and other unit holders. The deal brings Ancient Nutrition's fast-growing VMS portfolio (protein, gut health, greens, and the largest collagen brand in the natural channel) onto Wellful's omnichannel platform to expand distribution into the natural retail channel and strengthen Wellful's supplement offerings; Ancient Nutrition CEO Colt Morton will remain in place.

Orlandi, Inc. has acquired the consumer products sampling and fragrance coatings business of Tennessee-based Aroma Release Technology, Inc. The deal transfers ART's sampling and fragrance coatings product line to Orlandi and includes a new Orlandi lease in Chattanooga to support ongoing manufacturing and laboratory operations.

Consortium Brand Partners (CBP), a consumer-focused investment manager, has acquired approximately a 70% majority ownership stake in Draper James, the fashion and lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon. Reese Witherspoon will remain a partner and board member and Draper James' existing management team will continue to lead operations as CBP supports expansion of product offerings, retail and wholesale distribution domestically and internationally.

Indianapolis-based private equity firm CID Capital announced the merger of its portfolio companies LumiSource and Grandview Gallery, combining Grandview into LumiSource’s operations. The deal is an add-on acquisition intended to expand LumiSource’s product assortment, e-commerce presence, and operational efficiencies in inventory management and fulfillment.

Griffon Corporation, through its subsidiary The AMES Companies, has acquired Hunter Fan Company from MidOcean Partners for $845 million (subject to customary post-closing adjustments). Hunter will join Griffon’s Consumer and Professional Products segment, bringing a leading U.S. ceiling-fan brand with ~ $400M of revenue (first full fiscal year contribution) and expanding Griffon’s retail and e-commerce channels.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) agreed to acquire Radio Systems Corporation, a Knoxville-based developer and distributor of durable pet products (brands include PetSafe, Invisible Fence, SportDOG and Kurgo). Terms were not disclosed; TSG Consumer Partners will sell its minority stake as part of the transaction, Radio Systems has more than 800 employees worldwide, and founder Randy Boyd will remain on the board. The deal received unanimous board approval and was expected to close around June 2020.

Brand Velocity Partners (BVP), a newly formed private equity firm with an integrated marketing capability, has acquired Original Footwear Inc., owner of the Altama and Original S.W.A.T. brands. BVP is investing alongside Boston-based private equity firm BPEA, with financing participation from Pinnacle Financial Partners and Invision Capital, to expand Original Footwear's consumer and global footwear business through enhanced marketing and product launches.

MacNeill Pride Group (MPG), a portfolio company of private equity firm Centre Partners, has purchased Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA), a Nashville-based maker of premium roto-molded coolers, drinkware and outdoor accessories. ORCA will continue to operate from its Nashville headquarters, and MPG said the acquisition will expand its lifestyle product offerings and leverage existing retail relationships to grow distribution; terms were not disclosed.

ECP-PF Holdings Group, Inc., a Planet Fitness franchisee backed by Exaltare Capital Partners, acquired seven Planet Fitness locations in the Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee markets from Meridian Enterprises. The deal expands ECP-PF’s footprint in the Southeast and keeps the locations open and operational under the Planet Fitness brand.