DEAL SNAPSHOT

OAKLINS FOUND THE BEST PARTNERS TO EXPAND THE BUSINESS

Oaklins’ team in Los Angeles acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Classic Brands, LLC in this transaction, building a structured process around potential partners. The team’s creativity and thoughtfulness throughout the operation contributed to this exceptional result.

Classic Brands, LLC, a portfolio company of FrontRange Capital Partners and Brass Ring Capital, has been sold to Merit Capital Partners and Aiglon Capital Management.

Based in Denver, Colorado, Classic Brands is an industry leading designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of bird feeders and related products. It sells its products primarily through major retailers and lawn and garden stores nationwide and online. Founded in 2010 by industry veteran Bob Donegan, Classic Brands has already become the second largest company in the industry and expects to become the dominant supplier through a multi-channel strategy to educate consumers and grow the increasingly popular pastime of feeding wild birds. Classic Brands is well known for its innovative product portfolio and unique packaging across its four distinct brands, More Birds®, Stokes Select®, Squirrel-X™ and Droll Yankees®.

Merit Capital Partners focuses on high-quality, established businesses with carefully conceived operating strategies. Its goal is to work with committed owners and strong managers to help increase a company’s value. Aiglon Capital Management is a private investment firm that acquires, manages and grows lower middle-market manufacturing, distribution and services companies.

“I am very excited about the next chapter for Classic Brands

and our new partnership with Merit Capital and Aiglon

Capital. The team in Los Angeles did a terrific job

preparing and guiding the management team through

the process. They really understood the management team’s perspective and were

responsive to our needs.”

BOB DONEGAN CEO

CLASSIC BRANDS, LLC, USA

Multi-channel strategy for dominant bird feeders supplierDEAL FLASH | CONSUMER & RETAIL | MAY 2019

MARKET TRENDS & DEAL DRIVERS

The estimated US$250 million wholesale US market for wild bird feeders has gained in popularity in recent years, with growth expected to accelerate given the rising awareness of the low cost, ease of implementation and accessibility of the birding activity.

M&A VALUATION ASPECTS

The company received interest from financial acquirors as a result of its proven ability to execute a multi-pronged growth strategy and through successfully completing and integrating add-on acquisitions. This ensured that the right multiple was achieved for the business.

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OAKLINS HAS CLOSED 583 TRANSACTIONS IN CONSUMER & RETAIL

Oaklins is the world’s most experienced mid-market M&A advisor, with 800 professionals globally and dedicated industry teams in 40 countries worldwide.

We have closed over 1,500 transactions in the past five years.

“Classic Brands has grown significantly over the past five years both organically through its commitment to traditional retail and online channels and through its successful completion and integration of multiple acquisitions.

Congratulations to the management team at Classic Brands for creating a truly differentiated market leader.”

EDUARD BAGDASARIANCEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

OAKLINS, LOS ANGELES, USA

OUR INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS

During an investment banking career spanning more than three decades, Eduard has led transaction teams in a variety of industries, including consumer and retail. He advised on the sale of EagleRider, Blue Sea Systems, Hybrid Apparel, Herbalife International, Polk Audio, SpeakerCraft, Manhattan Beachwear, Pacific Crane Maintenance Company, The MERIT Companies, Plant Equipment, Inc. and Cycle Gear.

Brian has worked on transactions across a number of sectors, including manufacturing, industrials and business services, but concentrates largely on consumer products. His selected transaction experience includes the sale of Loungefly to Funko, a portfolio company of ACON investments, the recapitalization of me & my big ideas (the creator of the Happy Planner) with Main Post Partners, the sale of RSI Home Products to American Woodmark and the merger of JD Beauty, a portfolio company of Topspin Partners, with Goody Products, a portfolio company of ACON Investments.

CEO and Managing Director

Los Angeles, USA T: +1 310-478-9000

Director

Los Angeles, USA T: +1 310-478-9000

EDUARD BAGDASARIAN

BRIAN LEVIN