Summit Sports, Inc. based in Bloomfield, MI has been purchased by Digital Fuel Capital, a private equity group focused on e-commerce and digital marketing investments. While Summit Sports derives most of its revenues from six online stores, including Skis.com and CampGear.com, it also operates bricks-and-mortar stores, wholesale and manufacturing operations.
Summit Sports has been in the sporting goods industry since 1990 and was an early pioneer in bringing e-commerce to the industry. Initially started as a 9-location Michigan retailer, Summit Sports has expanded to become a predominantly online business.
The company engaged Forbes M+A senior advisors Jim Johnson and Bob Forbes a few years ago to complete a strategic planning exercise and provide valuation and marketability guidance.
“The Forbes M+A Group opened my eyes to how the acquisition process worked and the many factors involved in maximizing your business valuation,” said Steve Kopitz, president of Summit Sports. “Bob and Jim spent a significant amount of time helping me prepare for a transaction and, consequently, were able to time the market right to attract a much broader universe of buyers. The best part of working with The Forbes M+A Group advisors was their honest, straightforward approach. I felt they were working for me in all situations, doing what was best for the deal, not just telling me what I wanted to hear.”
The buyer, Digital Fuel Capital, based in Newton, MA is an investment firm focused on Internet retail and digital marketing technology. Digital Fuel Capital has invested in a number of e-commerce platform companies that are consolidating their respective industries and Summit Sports will be pursuing acquisitions of other leaders in action and outdoor sports.
The Forbes M+A Group specializes in providing senior-level advice to lower and middle market businesses. “Summit Sports is the perfect example of how to correctly prepare for and execute a transaction that met the goals of everyone involved,” said Jim Johnston, managing director at The Forbes M+A Group. “By engaging with us early on, we were able to work together to properly time a transaction, develop a buyer market strategy and growth plan, and then engage multiple industry and financial buyers. The company's visionary leadership, combined its advanced ecommerce websites, made it possible to find a great buyer match and we are proud to have represented our client's interests throughout the process.”
