North Castle Partners and its co-investors have completed an equity investment in Ignite USA, LLC (“Ignite”), the maker of Contigo and Avex reusable, environmentally friendly thermal mugs and hydration bottles.
North Castle is a leading private equity firm focused on investments in consumer-driven companies that promote Healthy, Active and Sustainable Living. The terms of the investment, which is being made in partnership with CEO Sami El-Saden, were not disclosed. North Castles other holdings include Performance Bicycles, Octane Fitness and Ibex Outdoor Clothing.
Based in Chicago, Ignite sells its products, which include Avex- and Contigo-branded containers, in more than 50 countries across the club, mass, sporting goods and specialty, direct-to-consumer channels and through exclusive strategic partnerships.
“North Castle’s mission is to invest in companies that provide high quality, innovative products which promote healthy and sustainable living,” said Alison Minter, a North Castle Managing Director. “We intend to support the acceleration of Ignite’s growth by leveraging our experience with innovation-driven product businesses, such as Cascade Sports and Octane Fitness, as well as companies with mass market distribution and channel expansion experience, including Atkins Nutritional, Enzymatic Therapy, Flatout Flatbread, Leiner Health Products, and Avalon Natural Brands. We are proud to welcome Sami and the Ignite team into the North Castle family.”
“I am excited to partner with North Castle and to leverage North Castle’s expertise and resources in building consumer product businesses and brands to take our company to its next level,” said Sami El-Saden, CEO. “I was impressed by their knowledge of the industry, their values and commitment to partnership, and the expertise of their team in the areas of strategy and brand as we grow in both the mass and specialty markets.”
“We are excited to partner with another impressive entrepreneur in the second investment from our NCP V fund. We look forward to working with Sami and the Ignite team in building a global leader in two of the fastest growing segments of the housewares industry,” said Chip Baird, North Castle’s Managing Partner.
Based in Greenwich, CT, North Castle Partners is a private equity firm focused on investments in consumer-driven product and service businesses that promote healthy, active, and sustainable living. It is a hands-on, value-added investor in high-growth, middle market companies in the (i) beauty & personal care, (ii) consumer health, (iii) fitness, recreation & sports, (iv) home & leisure and (v) nutrition sectors, among others. Prior portfolio company holdings include Atkins Nutritionals, Cascade Helmets, Bora-Bora Organic Foods, gloProfessional, Equinox Fitness, EAS, Enzymatic Therapy, CRC Health Group, Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula, Naked Juice Company, and Avalon Organics / Alba Botanicals. North Castle and its operating executives and advisors partner with management to bring a wide range of strategic and operational capabilities, as well as an extensive knowledge base and network to build world-class companies.
