LEXINGTON, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lew’s Holdings Corporation (“Lew’s”), a leader in the U.S. fishing
equipment market, today announced that it has partnered with BDT Capital
Partners (“BDT”), a merchant bank that provides family- and founder-led
businesses with long-term, differentiated capital. BDT will be making a
majority investment in the company to fund its next phase of growth.
Following this transaction, Peak Rock Capital and its affiliates will
exit their investment. Headquartered in Lexington, South
Carolina, Lew’s will continue to be led by the current CEO Ken Eubanks
and the existing management team. The transaction is anticipated to
close in the next several weeks, subject to HSR and other customary
closing conditions. Additional terms of the partnership were not
disclosed.
Lew’s has grown into a leading fishing equipment and outdoor consumer
brand along with the acquisitions of several iconic founder- and
family-owned businesses, including Strike King and Hunters Specialties.
The partnership with BDT will help accelerate the company’s growth,
further enhancing its product innovation and branded fishing equipment
offerings. According to the Outdoor Foundation, sports fishing
represents one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in
the U.S., ahead of biking, tennis and golf, with an estimated 49 million
participants.
“We are thrilled that BDT Capital Partners will continue to support
Lew’s as a long-term partner in its continued growth. With their
expertise and support, we’ll have the resources to further invest in the
company’s strategy to provide product innovation for consumers and
industry leading retail support and service,” said Ken Eubanks, CEO of
Lew’s Holdings Corporation. “BDT brings a long-term focus and extensive
experience partnering with and growing iconic brands like ours that have
historically been family and founder-owned. They share our values, and
their support will be invaluable as we look to continue to drive growth
both organically and through acquisitions.”
“We’re excited to partner with Lew’s and support the growth of their
leading fishing and outdoors brands,” said Tiffany Hagge, Managing
Director at BDT Capital Partners. “Led by industry veterans, Lew’s has a
strong following among avid and enthusiastic anglers, a broad
distribution network, high-quality products and an impressive innovation
track record. Our investment in the company represents an opportunity to
partner with an outstanding management team in a growing and dynamic
industry. We view this as an attractive platform investment in a sector
with significant opportunity for organic growth and consolidation, given
the number of founder- and family-owned companies in this expanding
category.”
About Lew’s Holding Corporation
Lew’s Holdings Corporation is an outdoor consumer products company with
a portfolio of brands, including Lew’s Fishing, Strike King Lures and
Hunters Specialties. Based in Lexington, South Carolina, the Company
supplies branded fishing equipment and accessories through the mass
market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further
information about these brands, please visit www.lews.com,
www.strikeking.com
and www.hunterspec.com.
About BDT Capital Partners
BDT Capital Partners provides family- and founder-led businesses with
long-term, differentiated capital. The firm has raised more than $15
billion across its investment funds and has created and manages an
additional $4.7 billion of co-investments from its global limited
partner investor base. The firm’s affiliate, BDT & Company, is a
merchant bank that works with family- and founder-led businesses to
pursue their strategic and financial objectives. BDT & Company provides
solutions-based advice and access to a world-class network of business
owners and leaders.
Contacts
Media
BDT Capital Partners
Jennifer Dunne,
312-660-7314
[email protected]
or
Amy
Lester, 312-529-6584
[email protected]
Lew’s
Holding Corporation
Mark Copley, 901-850-3318
[email protected]
