MacNeill Pride Group (MPG), a diversified global designer and manufacturer of outdoor products and sporting goods, has acquired GCI Outdoor (GCI), a leading designer of portable, built-to-last outdoor recreation equipment. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. MPG is a portfolio company of Centre Partners.
Founded in 1996, GCI offers high quality outdoor recreation equipment, including portable camping chairs, camp kitchens, waterside chairs and recliners and other outdoor gear. Its iconic line of folding rocking chairs, such as the Freestyle Rocker and RoadTrip Rocker, are widely sought after by consumers for their comfort, quality and durability, leading GCI Outdoor to become the number one brand in the category. GCI holds many exclusive US patents for its innovative design elements and will continue to operate out of its facility in Higganum, CT.
GCI represents another category-leading brand added to a growing MPG portfolio that includes the recently-acquired ORCA, a leading supplier of premium coolers, drinkware and other outdoor accessories; PrideSports, a supplier of golf and sports accessories and training tools under the PrideSports brand; Pride Manufacturing Company LLC, which manufacturers engineered wood products such as golf tees; and MacNeill Engineering, a leading designer of cleats, studs and other footwear components under the CHAMP and Softspikes brands.
“The addition of GCI’s products makes MPG an immediate force in the outdoor recreation market,” says Daniel Brinkenhoff, Managing Director at 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 growth in its end markets.”
Dan Grace and Jeff Polke, co-Founders and co-Presidents of GCI, states: “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.
