MacNeill Pride Group (MPG) has acquired GCI Outdoor (GCI), the designer of portable outdoor recreation equipment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
MPG, a portfolio company of Centre Partners, is a designer and manufacturer of outdoor products and sporting goods. Its brands include ORCA, PrideSports, Champ, Pride Golf Tee, and Professional Tee System.
Founded in 1996, GCI’s product range includes portable camping chairs, camp kitchens, waterside chairs and recliners, and other outdoor gear. GCI, known for its folding rocking chairs, holds U.S. patents for its designs and will continue to operate out of its facility in Higganum, CT.
GCI represents another brand added to MPG’s portfolio that includes the recently acquired ORCA, PrideSports, Pride Manufacturing Company LLC, and MacNeill Engineering under the Champ and Softspikes brands.
“The addition of GCI’s products makes MPG an immediate force in the outdoor recreation market,” said Daniel Brinkenhoff, managing director, Centre Partners. “Combined with our recent acquisition of ORCA, MPG will now offer two powerful, complementary brands with deep customer loyalty across important demographic groups. GCI has a clear track record of customer-focused innovation and product development that will play a significant role in MPG’s go-forward strategy. MPG is now perfectly positioned to continue to build on this substantial base and take advantage of the growth in its end markets.”
Dan Grace and Jeff Polke, co-founders and co-presidents of GCI, stated, “This transaction is a testament to our unrelenting focus on innovation and product design that has clearly resonated with the outdoor recreation community over the past 25 years. When combined with ORCA and MPG’s other outstanding brands, the future of GCI has never been brighter. We could not be more pleased that GCI is joining the MPG family and we look forward to seeing GCI continue to flourish.”
Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to GCI and Twin Brook Capital Partners led the debt financing for the transaction.
Photo courtesy GCI Outdoor
