Bloomberg is reporting that Bain Capital LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm may be ready to sell Jack Wolfskin after owning the company for only two years. Bain acquired German outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer from Johnson Outdoors in 2002 for $62.9 million. Apparently the company has seen quite a turnaround, because sources close to the deal predict a sale price of roughly $199 million.
Some of the higher price tag is attributed to the appreciation of the Euro, which, on average traded for $1.06 in 2002 and is worth $1.33 today. The company is also benefiting from stronger sales in its native German market, even though most reports coming out of the country confirm a struggling retail environment.
The German outdoor equipment market is estimated at 1.5 billion, or 16% of the total German sporting goods market. Demand in the outdoor sector is reportedly increasing as well, according to Bloomberg.
