Continues To Grow Kellwood Retail Platform With Award-Winning Women’s Outdoor Apparel Business
BOCA RATON, FL Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”), a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market?leading companies, today announced that its affiliate, Kellwood Company, has acquired ISIS, an award?winning outdoor company focused on the large and growing market for women?s performance and casual apparel. Terms of the deal, which was completed through Kellwood?s American Recreation Products business, were not disclosed.
Since its founding in 1998, ISIS has grown consistently, building a sizeable retailer network and establishing substantial market presence. Blending distinctive feminine fashion with cutting edge technical features, ISIS?s design philosophy clearly differentiates the brand among global outdoor companies. Moving forward, the Company plans to continue to aggressively expand its distribution channels and drive revenue through additional specialty dealers and its on?line business.
“While strengthening the overall Kellwood platform, the acquisition of ISIS and its high?quality products offer significant growth opportunities in the U.S. and Canada,” said Christopher H. Thomas, Vice President at Sun Capital Partners. “This is a strategic step to further build out American Recreation Products? offerings and market position. With a strong and experienced management team in place, ISIS is well poised to compete with the leading brands in the outdoor women?s apparel space.”
“In an otherwise challenging retail and fashion marketplace, ISIS continues to perform well, with solid operations, a loyal customer base, and a track record of growth,” said Michael W. Kramer, President and CEO of Kellwood. “We look forward to working with the Company?s experienced and capable management team to continue to build the business, with the goal of doubling its sales over the next four years.”
Following a successful bond exchange in July 2009, Kellwood has continued to make significant progress in executing a restructuring plan and has been realizing improvements in profitability due to the operational enhancements. In partnership with Sun Capital?s operators, Kellwood?s management team has focused closely on creating value and seizing new market opportunities in past months.
In addition to Kellwood Company, acquired by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., in February 2008, Sun Capital counts among its portfolio companies a number of other premier apparel, retail and consumer businesses, such as Anchor Blue Retail Group, DBApparel, Gerber Childrenswear, Hanna Andersson, or Limited Stores. The firm places strong emphasis on in?house operational expertise, and partners closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to grow their businesses and improve their operations.
“We are thrilled to complete this transaction with Kellwood and to embark on this new challenge,” said Carolyn Cooke, President and Co?founder of ISIS. “We are very proud of what we?ve accomplished over the past 12 years, and look forward to continuing to provide our loyal customer base with the excellent, stylish products they have come to expect from the ISIS brand.”
“ISIS is a well?managed retail business with a strong consumer following, high?quality product offerings, and good growth prospects,” said Dale Philippi, CEO of American Recreation Products. “We are excited to build on the company?s track record of success and to continue to grow the brand.”
About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market?leading companies that can benefit from its in?house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in and managed more than 215 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $37.0 billion since Sun Capital?s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates with offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.
About ISIS
ISIS is an award?winning outdoor company focused exclusively on the large and growing market for women?s performance and casual apparel. ISIS combines a love for the outdoor lifestyle with an understanding of the female form. The ISIS product line consists of 120 styles for Fall/Winter and 100 styles for Spring/Summer. For more information please visit www.isisforwomen.com.
About American Recreation Products
American Recreation Products, a subsidiary of Kellwood Company, makes and markets outdoor gear including tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, outdoor furniture, and related camping accessories. Brand names include Royal Robbins, Kelty, Sierra Designs, Slumberjack, SwissGear, and Wenzel. Its products are sold through sporting goods stores and outdoor specialty stores, as well as through mail order and Internet. For more information, please visit www.americanrecreational.com.
About Kellwood Company
Kellwood designs, manufactures, and markets a growing collection of premier fashion brands across a broad range of consumer lifestyles. Our brands include Vince, Baby Phat, Jolt, SAG Harbor, Briggs NY, and MyMichelle as well as licensed brands, XOXO and David Meister. Kellwood also operates Vince retail stores and SAG Harbor outlet stores across the United States. For more information, please visit www.Kellwood.com.
For more information, please contact:
Alex Stanton
Stanton Public Relations & Marketing
astanton@stantonprm.com
(212) 780-0701 – direct
