Bushnell to Acquire Final Approach and Kolpin Hunting Product LinesOverland Park, Kansas — Bushnell Outdoor Products, Inc., the worldwide leader in sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories for 60 years, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Final Approach and Kolpin Hunting Product Lines, from Facilitator Capital Funds, a Milwaukee based private equity group.
Kolpin® is a premier provider of high quality hunting and shooting products. The acquisition includes two primary product lines — the Final Approach® brand of waterfowl products, and the Kolpin line of shooting accessories. Not included in the sale to Bushnell is Kolpin Powersports, which manufactures and distributes a full line of ATV and UTV products and accessories. Under the terms of the acquisition, Kolpin will retain the brand name and provide a long-term licensing agreement to Bushnell.
This acquisition continues the expansion of the family of outdoor brands under the Bushnell Outdoor Products umbrella. The Final Approach brand is positioned as "The Waterfowler's Company" and was the original developer of low-profile hunting blinds. The product line now includes a wide range of innovative products and accessories for the waterfowl hunting market, including a new line of innovative duck and goose decoys. The Kolpin line of shooting accessories includes Kolpin branded soft-sided gun cases, slings and gun vises.
"The Final Approach brand and Kolpin shooting accessories will be a great addition to our company," said Joe Messner, President and CEO of Bushnell Outdoor Products. "These products are field-tested and enjoy a reputation of quality and value amongst shooters, hunters, and our retail customers." added Messner.
The parties signed a definitive purchase agreement and the transaction closed on August 6, 2007.
This marks the sixth acquisition Bushnell has made since 2001. The most recent was the purchase of Michael's of Oregon in 2005 and the addition of the Uncle Mike's®, Hoppe's®, Butler Creek®, Stoney Point®, Uncle Mike's Law Enforcement® and Blackwater Gear™ brands. The Tasco® sports optics brand was added in 2002 and Bollé® and Serengeti® premium eyewear brands were acquired in 2001, along with Moonlight night vision products.
Bushnell is a privately held company funded by WindPoint Partners, a private equity firm with offices in Chicago and Detroit.
Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike's®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe's®, Blackwater Gear™ and Butler Creek® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.
Media Contact:
Jen Messelt - Bushnell Outdoor Products (913) 752-6105 or
jmesselt@bushnell.com
