Sock & Accessory Brands Global LLC (SABG) has been recapitalized by Huron Capital. Huron committed $40 million to close the transaction.
The investment was made through Huron's most recent private equity fund, The Huron Fund III, L.P., which has $350 million in committed capital.
Based in Mocksville, NC, SABG is a designer and marketer of fashion casual and athletic socks, sold principally through specialty footwear retailers, sporting goods stores, department stores, discount retailers, and mass retailers. SABG's products are sold under company-owned brands, licensed brands such as Eddie Bauer, Crocs, and others, and as private label socks under retail store brands.
SABG will continue to be led by its founder and CEO, Jeff Arnold. Additionally, Jim Clegg has joined SABG as its executive chairman and president. Clegg has been a Huron Operating Partner for over ten years and was formerly chairman of the Board for Huron's portfolio company, Northern Cap & Glove. Clegg has also served in leadership roles at such companies as Sunbeam North America, Eastern Home Shopping (Taiwan), The Advance Watch Group, and Robert Rothschild Farms.
Arnold and Clegg hold significant ownership stakes in the business.
Arnold stated, “Partnering with Huron will give us resources to grow operationally and drive our market leadership in design and customer service. Jim's experience will propel our operating expertise, supply chain management and organizational development.”
Clegg followed by saying, “I am thrilled to be joining Jeff and his team. SABG is uniquely positioned with the deepest design talent in the market. Together, we will continue to build this business with a goal to be top of class in product development, retail sell-through, and logistics.”
Mike Beauregard, a partner at Huron leading the investment, said, “Jeff has built a great company. Adding Jim deepens the company's operations expertise and will help drive the business to become vendor of choice at virtually all levels of retail trade.”
Fifth Third Bank provided senior debt financing for the transaction. KSA Capital Advisors served as financial advisor to SABG. Honigman Miller Schwartz & Kohn served as legal counsel to Huron.
