Harris williams & co. advises gridiron capital, llc in its sale of
mckenzie sports products, llc
Richmond, va.--(business wire)--harris williams & co., a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide, announces the sale of mckenzie sports products, inc. (mckenzie), the world’s leading innovator, manufacturer and distributor of taxidermy supplies, to levine leichtman capital partners (levine leichtman). mckenzie was a portfolio company of gridiron capital, llc (gridiron). the transaction closed on march 30, 2012. harris williams & co. acted as the exclusive advisor to mckenzie. the transaction was led by the firm’s richmond and minneapolis offices. “we’ve enjoyed our longstanding relationship with mckenzie having represented the company in its prior sale in 2003. through the years, we’ve watched management and gridiron build a unique platform in the outdoor enthusiast sector with a proven track record of growth,” said john neuner, a managing director at harris williams & co. “we look forward to continuing to watch mckenzie’s management team execute on their growth strategy and are excited to have found them a great partner in levine leichtman who shares their vision for continued growth.” mckenzie is the world’s leading innovator, manufacturer and distributor of taxidermy supplies to a highly diverse and stable customer base of approximately 40,000 taxidermists. mckenzie and its supporting brands have led the taxidermy industry for nearly 40 years and are renowned as the most trusted brands in the industry. mckenzie has leveraged a stable of world-class sculptors and a culture of superior customer service to develop the industry’s broadest and highest quality product offering. gridiron is a private equity firm focused on creating value by acquiring and building middle market manufacturing, service and specialty consumer companies in the united states and canada. the firm’s principals have historically achieved superior investment returns by employing a combination of strategic, operating and financial experience to provide portfolio companies with competitive advantages. gridiron seeks control equity investments in manufacturing, service and specialty consumer businesses. gridiron was founded in 2004 and is based in new canaan, ct. levine leichtman is an independent investment firm that invests in middle market companies located in the united states. the firm manages approximately $5 billion of institutional capital on behalf of itself and its worldwide network of investors. levine leichtman was founded in 1984 and has offices in beverly hills, chicago, dallas, new york and london. harris williams & co. (www.harriswilliams.com), a member of the pnc financial services group, inc. (nyse:pnc), is a preeminent middle market investment bank focused on the advisory needs of clients worldwide. the firm has deep industry knowledge, global transaction expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. harris williams & co. provides sell-side and acquisition advisory, restructuring advisory, board advisory, private placements, and capital markets advisory services. investment banking services are provided by harris williams llc, a registered broker-dealer and member of finra and sipc, and harris williams & co. ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the financial services authority. harris williams & co. is a trade name under which harris williams llc and harris williams & co. ltd conduct business. for general release inquiries, please contact kimberly baker, marketing director, at +1 (804) 648-0072.
