Higdon Outdoors, based in Paducah, KY, announced the recapitalization, in partnership with management, of Higdon Outdoors LLC and Power Calls Company, LLC. Higdon Outdoors will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vertikal Brands, a holding company established by Clearview Capital in partnership with former members of the management team of Battenfeld Technologies, to pursue the acquisition of brands in the outdoor industry.
The transaction closed on August 18, 2020.
Higdon Outdoors is a multi-brand designer and supplier of hunting and sporting dog accessories. With over 1,000 dealer locations worldwide, the company’s flagship Higdon brand manufacturers waterfowl decoys. The company’s Power Calls brand was founded in 2016 in partnership with World Goose Calling Champion of Champions, Kelley Powers. In 2018, the company broadened its brand portfolio with the acquisition of MOmarsh, a manufacturer of waterfowl hunting blinds and sporting dog accessories.
Clearview and Vertikal Brands partnered with the company’s Owners, John and Ben Higdon, as well as Kelley Powers, to recapitalize the business and provide additional capital to support the company’s growth initiatives. The Higdon’s will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the business while retaining a meaningful equity stake. In addition, the team from Vertikal Brands will leverage its experience with similarly sized outdoor companies to help accelerate Higdon Outdoors’ growth.
“The Higdon family has built an impressive business over the last 26 years developing a reputation for innovation and quality across the company’s brand portfolio,” commented Matt Blevins, partner of Clearview Capital. “The complementary skill sets of the Higdon Outdoors and Vertikal Brands teams, augmented by the financial and strategic backing of Clearview, makes for a highly compelling combination. We look forward to working with John and Ben to accelerate the company’s growth, organically as well as through acquisitions.”
“We couldn’t be more optimistic about what this partnership means for our business,” remarked John Higdon, president of Higdon Outdoors. “With the experience of Clearview Capital and Vertikal Brands, and the tools available to spur growth, combined with our skilled and dedicated team, we believe our already thriving brands are going to have everything needed to maximize potential.”
“From the day Higdon was founded, the family has focused on quality, customer service and innovation,” added Ben Higdon, vice president of Higdon Outdoors. “Today, we are proud to announce an exciting and genuine pursuit to better each of those principles with the partnership with Clearview Capital and Vertikal Brands to bring our valued customers the best possible products in the hunting industry.”
“The Vertikal Brands partnership greatly strengthens our team here at Power Calls,” commented Co-Founder, Kelley Powers“Revolutionary innovation, such as the first-ever Carbon Fiber Game call with Titanium components, have always been at the forefront of our designs. This collaboration further strengthens our efforts in continuing to produce cutting-edge products for today’s hunter.”
“The Vertikal Brands team couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to partner with the Higdons,” stated Jim Gianladis, chief executive officer of Vertikal Brands. “It is a true honor to be a part of the future of the outstanding business they have established.”
Photo courtesy Vertikal Brands
