M&A Deal Summary

Brentwood Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners Acquire Bell Sports

On February 18, 1998, private equity firms Brentwood Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners acquired consumer products company Bell Sports for 215M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Brentwood Associates’ 1st and Charlesbank Capital Partners’ 2nd transaction in the Consumer Products sector.
  • This is Brentwood Associates’ and Charlesbank Capital Partners’ 7th largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Brentwood Associates’ 3rd and Charlesbank Capital Partners’ 6th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Brentwood Associates’ 1st and Charlesbank Capital Partners’ 1st transaction in Illinois.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 1998-02-18
Target Bell Sports
Sector Consumer Products
Buyer(s) Brentwood Associates
Charlesbank Capital Partners
Deal Type Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)
Deal Value 215M USD
Advisor(s) Aspect Consumer Partners (Financial)

Target

Bell Sports

Rantoul, Illinois, United States
website
Bell Sports, Inc. is a designer, developing, and marketing of bicycle helmets and accessories in North America and Europe.

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Buyer(S) 2

Buyer

Brentwood Associates

Los Angeles, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1972
PE ASSETS 2.4B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Brentwood Associates is a private equity firm focused on long-term investments in middle-market growth companies. Brentwood typically targets investments in consumer-related businesses. Specific areas of interest include action sports/outdoor lifestyle products, business services, consumer products/services, direct marketing, distribution, education, health/wellness, marketing services, specialty media, specialty retail, and sporting goods. Brentwood's preferred equity investment size is $20 to $200 million. Brentwood Associates was formed in 1972 and is based in Los Angeles.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 3 of 47
Sector (Consumer Products) 1 of 5
Type (Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)) 1 of 15
State (Illinois) 1 of 3
Country (United States) 3 of 44
Year (1998) 1 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 3
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1997-11-19 Cardinal Business Media

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

Cardinal Business Media is a publisher of music business magazines.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1998-07-01 FleetPride

Irving, Texas, United States

FleetPride is an independent distributor of aftermarket heavy-duty truck and trailer parts in the United States. FleetPride was founded in 1975 and is based in Irving, Texas.

Buy -
Buyer

Charlesbank Capital Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1998
PE ASSETS 6.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Charlesbank Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on investing in companies at various stages of development, including private and public companies, distressed situations, as well as later stage high growth businesses. Charlesbank typically invests $50 to $150 million per deal, in companies valued between $150 million and $1.5 billion. Industries of interest include consumer products, distribution, energy, financial services, food, education, health-care products and services, manufacturing, media and communications, and retail. Charlesbank Capital Partners is based in Boston, Massachusetts with an additional office in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 7 of 80
Sector (Consumer Products) 2 of 4
Type (Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)) 5 of 14
State (Illinois) 1 of 8
Country (United States) 6 of 71
Year (1998) 2 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 7 of 9
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1998-01-01 Fundy Communications

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Fundy Communications is a cable TV and telecommunications provider in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Alta made an initial investment in Fundy to enable the Company (which was publicly-traded at the time) to build a telecommunications infrastructure.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1998-03-16 Sullivan Broadcasting

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Sullivan Broadcasting Co. was a broadcasting Company, provides a local television and radio service.

Sell -