Big Rock Sports, headquartered in Newport, NC, announced
that the management team, led by president & CEO Ed Small, has
acquired a majority interest in the company from the previous owners,
JP Morgan Partners and Key Principal Partners. The buyout, which closed October 12, gives controlling ownership to the current
management team of Big Rock, and was supported by a minority investment
by Bison Capital Asset Management.
“All
of us at Big Rock Sports are extremely excited to have control of the
company back in our hands after a very successful seven-year period
with outside controlling investors. This buyout demonstrates the
commitment that Big Rock Sports management has to our customers,
vendor partners, associates, and the sporting goods industry overall.
Our team is extremely committed to growing our business by continuing
to provide world-class service,” commented Small.
Bison
Capital, with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Charlotte, NC, invested on
a non-control basis allowing the company the freedom to execute its
business plans.
According to Louis Bissette, Partner at Bison Capital,
“We are very excited about our partnership with the outstanding team at
Big Rock Sports. Their dedication to both customers and vendors is
unmatched in the industry, and the company is well-positioned to build
further upon its current rapid growth. We are looking forward to being
a part of Big Rock Sports bright future.”
Big
Rock Sports, the leading distributor of fishing and shooting sports
products in the U.S., is the parent company of All Sports, AWR Sports,
CSI Sports, Henrys and MT Sports, with six wholesale sporting goods
distribution centers located across the nation. Big Rock Sports
companies service more than 15,000 shooting sports and fishing
retailers internationally.
