Cherry Tree & Associates | Notable M&A Transactions | December 2024
Justin Krabben
Director Investment Banking | Helping Business Owners Maximize Value | Industrial, Consumer, IT-Services, Technology
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Walmart Completes Acquisition of VIZIO for $2.3 Billion
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Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has completed its $2.3 billion acquisition of VIZIO, including its SmartCast Operating System. This move enables Walmart to enhance customer shopping experiences and provide advertisers with new opportunities for targeted engagement through Walmart Connect, the retailer’s growing retail media business. VIZIO’s smart TV platform and profitable advertising segment will integrate with Walmart Connect to boost product discovery and brand impact. VIZIO will continue to operate independently under CEO William Wang, reporting to Walmart’s executive vice president of growth. While Walmart anticipates that the transaction will be slightly dilutive to earnings in the near term, the retail giant expects a strong return on investment.
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Weber and Blackstone Products Announce Merger
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Weber and Blackstone Products have agreed to combine their businesses, bringing together Weber’s iconic global barbecue brand with Blackstone’s innovative outdoor griddle lineup. The combination aims to expand product offerings and leverage Weber’s global distribution network to accelerate Blackstone’s international growth. Upon closing, expected in early 2025, Blackstone CEO Roger Dahle will lead the combined company, which will maintain both brand identities and continue operations in Illinois and Utah.
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WHP Global Announces Agreement to Acquire Vera Wang
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WHP Global has agreed to acquire the intellectual property of the VERA WANG fashion brand, a global leader in luxury bridal and fashion with over $700 million in annual retail sales. Vera Wang will continue as Founder & Chief Creative Officer and join WHP Global as a shareholder, driving the brand's creative direction and future expansion. This transaction establishes a premium fashion vertical for WHP Global, complementing its portfolio, which generates over $7 billion in global retail sales. The deal is expected to close in January 2025.
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Unified Commerce Closes Majority Investment in B?hme
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Unified Commerce Group (UCG) has increased its investment in womenswear retailer B?hme, becoming the majority shareholder and assuming operational control. UCG Founder Dustin Jones will serve as CEO, while B?hme co-founder Vivien B?hme remains as President, overseeing daily operations. This partnership grants B?hme access to UCG Hub, a shared services platform offering support in digital operations, marketing, technology, and finance. UCG’s investment aims to unlock growth opportunities for the brand, now the fourth in its portfolio alongside GREATS, Frank And Oak, and Spiritual Gangster.
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Dunes Point Capital Announces Acquisition of Kravet
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Dunes Point Capital has acquired Kravet, a leading provider of to-the-trade home furnishings, including fabric, furniture, and more under renowned brands such as Kravet, Lee Jofa, and Brunschwig & Fils. The Kravet family will retain a significant stake in the company, which operates 40 global showrooms and employs approximately 870 people. The transaction, supported by equity from Dunes Point Capital Fund III and debt from Twin Brook Capital Partners and Lord Abbett, aims to support Kravet’s continued leadership and growth in the home furnishings industry.
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UTR Sports Acquires PicklePlay
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UTR Sports has acquired PicklePlay, a platform that connects pickleball players and organizers, simplifies event management, and helps players find local courts. This strategic move will strengthen UTR Sports' mission to support local communities and expand its global network, making it easier for players to find opponents and engage in level-based play. The combined platforms aim to make pickleball more accessible, organized, and enjoyable for players of all levels.
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Constellation Brands Sells SVEDKA Brand to Sazerac
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Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) has agreed to sell its SVEDKA brand to Sazerac as part of its strategy to focus on premium wine and craft spirits. This move continues Constellation’s efforts to align its portfolio with consumer trends and optimize its growth in high-end segments. Sazerac plans to integrate SVEDKA’s award-winning vodkas, seltzers, and gins into its global spirits portfolio, further enhancing its offerings. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months.
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TaylorMade Golf Acquires Logan Olson
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领英推荐
TaylorMade Golf has acquired Logan Olson, a California-based company specializing in bespoke and small-batch putters, to strengthen its presence in the putter market. Backed by TaylorMade’s operational and manufacturing capabilities, Logan Olson will continue crafting high-quality putters under its current leadership. Acquiring Logan Olson will also enhance TaylorMade’s professional tour offerings with expanded putter designs, informed by feedback from top athletes, further driving innovation in the category.
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Premium Brands Holdings Announces Three Acquisitions
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Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (TSX: PBH) has completed strategic transactions to bolster its specialty protein offerings, acquiring NSP Quality Meats, Casa Di Bertacchi, and Italia Salami for a total of $66 million, including cash, shares, and contingent payments. These businesses, with combined annual sales of $200 million, expand Premium Brands’ U.S. cooked protein capabilities, enhance market access, and provide local production capacity for its Italian charcuterie line. The company expects all three transactions to be accretive to their 2025 earnings.
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Five Iron Golf Acquires Thr3 Jack
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Five Iron Golf has acquired Thr3 Jack, a golf and dining venue in Minneapolis’ North Loop, marking its first location in Minnesota and 26th globally. Reopening in December, the upgraded venue will combine Five Iron’s advanced Trackman simulators and entertainment-focused approach with Thr3 Jack’s inviting design and social atmosphere. Spanning 9,000 sq. ft., the space will support golf practice, coaching, league nights, and events, alongside dining and entertainment options. This move underscores Five Iron’s commitment to creating accessible, tech-driven golf experiences in local communities.
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Rhino-Rack Acquires RockyMounts
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Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ: CLAR), a manufacturer of outdoor products, has announced that its Adventure segment brand Rhino-Rack has acquired certain assets of RockyMounts, a Colorado-based premium bicycle transport product brand. This acquisition enhances Rhino-Rack's position in the U.S. bicycle rack and hitch-based products market while providing an entry point to serve a new product category in Rhino-Rack’s home market of Australia.
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Alliance Entertainment Acquired Handmade by Robots
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Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AENT) has acquired Handmade by Robots, a collectible vinyl figure brand known for its unique "knit-like" patterns and licensed characters from popular franchises like DC Comics, Ghostbusters, and Harry Potter. This acquisition strengthens Alliance’s collectibles division and aligns with its strategy to expand into the licensed collectible market. By leveraging its extensive distribution network, Alliance plans to increase Handmade by Robots' global reach and visibility.
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Ergobaby Acquired by Highlander Partners
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Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private investment firm, has acquired The Ergo Baby Carrier, Inc. (Ergobaby), a manufacturer of premium baby carriers, from Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI). Highlander Partners sees significant growth potential in Ergobaby, with plans to leverage product innovation and market expansion to drive the brand forward. The firm also intends to explore additional acquisition opportunities to complement Ergobaby’s portfolio and strengthen its position in the juvenile products market.
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CHERRY TREE CONSUMER 250 INDEX PERFORMANCE
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CHERRY TREE CONSUMER 250 INDEX METRICS BY SUB-SECTOR
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For a confidential discussion about your company's strategic alternatives for exiting, merging, acquiring, or obtaining venture / growth financing, and how trends in the consumer sector affect your prospects, please contact Justin Krabben.
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Justin Krabben, Director
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Phone: 952.253.6036
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