18 Jul 2016
Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, a middle-market private equity firm, today announced that its affiliate has entered into a definitive agreement with Investcorp to acquire Polyconcept. Equity for the transaction will be provided by Charlesbank and management, Partners Group and certain other investors. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Polyconcept is the leading value-added supplier in the $30 billion promotional products industry. Sourcing products from hundreds of manufacturers, the company then customizes them on behalf of its 35,000 reseller customers and ships the products to end-consumers (typically businesses) located in the United States, Europe and across the world. Polyconcept offers one of the industry’s broadest assortments, with over 25,000 SKUs across hard goods and premium apparel, providing customers with an integrated set of services including product design, global sourcing, digital services, sales tools, order management, customization and next-day shipping.
Josh Klevens, Managing Director at Charlesbank, said that his firm was attracted to the company’s strategic position and its diversification across customers, suppliers, price points and geographies. “Polyconcept is a market leader in both the United States and Europe, with superior customer service and global capabilities,” he said. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the management team to expand the business globally, building on their track record of success and tapping into new opportunities for growth.”
Maud Brown, Managing Director of Corporate Investment North America at Investcorp, said, “When we acquired Polyconcept, we recognized the company’s potential to become a leading international brand with a global presence. We worked closely with senior management to transform the business into the global leader that it is today, supporting a series of strategic acquisitions and realizing success through expanding into new markets, launching new product categories, building out a key digital presence and implementing significant operational enhancements. We believe that Polyconcept is very well-placed for the future and we wish management and Charlesbank the best of luck in this new phase of growth.”
“We have had a successful chapter with Investcorp and are thankful for its partnership over the years,” said Gene Colleran, Chief Executive Officer for Polyconcept. “We are excited to forge a new partnership with Charlesbank, which has a long history of joining forces with management teams to grow their businesses. With Charlesbank’s financial support, strategic guidance and significant network of contacts, we look forward to working together to create substantial value for the future.”
Subject to the satisfaction of regulatory requirements and other customary closing conditions, the transaction is anticipated to close later in the third quarter of 2016.
William Blair & Company, LLC and Barclays served as financial advisors to Investcorp and fellow investor 3i, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to the company.
For Charlesbank, Jefferies Group LLC served as financial advisor, with Goodwin Procter LLP acting as legal advisor and PricewaterhouseCoopers advising on accounting and tax issues.
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, RBC Capital Markets and Natixis, New York Branch, have committed to provide the first lien debt financing for the transaction, and GSO Capital Partners LP has committed to provide the second lien debt financing.