Global private equity firm The Riverside Company has agreed to acquire Reima Oy, a leading children’s wear brand in Northern Europe, known for high-quality outdoor clothing, and selling under the brands Reima, Lassie, Tutta and Progress.
This acquisition will be the seventh platform for Riverside Europe Fund IV (REF IV), and is the 18th platform company in REF’s current portfolio. Riverside will acquire Reima from Finnish private equity firm Vaaka Partners and the management team, who will invest alongside Riverside in this transaction and remain with the company in their current capacities.
Reima is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, and is active in seventeen countries, with a focus on the Nordic region and Russia. Founded in 1944, Reima is one of the oldest and most recognised brands for children’s clothing across Northern Europe.
“Reima has an excellent brand and a strong market position in Northern Europe, widely known for its superior quality for children’s clothing. We are looking forward to partnering with management to grow the company further in existing and new markets,” says Riverside Partner Thomas Blomqvist (pictured).
Reima CEO Christopher Silcowitz says: “We are very excited about teaming up with Riverside for the next phase of our growth plan. Riverside’s long and successful track-record of supporting its portfolio companies, as well as its global network will facilitate Reima’s continued growth path. I would also like to thank Vaaka Partners’ Reima team for its truly hands-on approach. Our success has been a result of thorough planning and disciplined execution of the commonly created strategy.”
The Riverside team responsible for the transaction included Blomqvist, Vice President Justin Kent and Senior Associate Marcin Goszyk. The transaction was originated by Lars Eriksson, Regional Director of Origination for the UK, Nordic & Baltic countries.
Riverside was advised by PwC Corporate Finance, Roland Berger and Roschier in this transaction. Vaaka Partners was advised by HLP Corporate Finance and White & Case.
