Deal Details

Sale to Berkshire Partners LLC

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Summary

About

Implus Corporation (“Implus” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Trilantic North America, was recently acquired by Berkshire Partners LLC (“Berkshire”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Implus is a leading global accessories platform providing merchandising and category management solutions to retailers worldwide. Implus offers its retail partners a comprehensive selection of high-margin and differentiated footwear, fitness and recreational accessories that are marketed under an extensive portfolio of 15 proprietary brands, such as Sof Sole, Airplus, Perfect, TriggerPoint and Yaktrax. Implus maintains the #1 market share position in many of the product categories it serves, including insoles, shoe care, shoe laces, and traction devices, and has an increasing presence in the rapidly growing fitness and wellness and outdoor recreation segments. Today, the Company’s products are sold across multiple sales channels through more than 75,000 storefronts in over 70 countries at leading retailers such as Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, Foot Locker, and The Sports Authority. Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

Trilantic North America is a private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America’s primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer, energy and financial services sectors. As of December 31, 2014, Trilantic North America manages four private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments of $5.6 billion. Trilantic North America is headquartered in New York, New York.

Berkshire has invested in over 100 middle market companies since 1986 through eight private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments of $11 billion. Berkshire has developed specific industry experience in several areas including consumer products and retail, business services, industrial manufacturing, transportation and communications. Berkshire has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests with the goal of consistently achieving superior investment returns. The firm is currently investing from Berkshire Fund VIII, a $4.5 billion fund raised in 2011. Berkshire seeks to invest $50 million to $500 million of equity capital in each portfolio company. Berkshire is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

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