codi-20241231
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
or
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-34927
Compass Diversified Holdings
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 001-34926
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
301 Riverside Avenue, Second Floor Westport, CT 06880
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(203) 221-1703
(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are collectively a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yesþ No ̈
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are collectively not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ̈No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ̈
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit such files). Yes þ No ̈
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are collectively a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer ̈
Non-accelerated filer ̈ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrants have elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ̈
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. þ
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ̈
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ̈
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are collectively a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No þ
The aggregate market value of the outstanding common shares of trust stock held by non-affiliates of Compass Diversified Holdings at June 30, 2024 was $1,442,225,119 based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on that date. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, all directors and officers of the registrant have been deemed affiliates. There were 75,235,966 common shares of trust stock without par value outstanding at February 24, 2025.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Certain information in the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates relating to the registrants' 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into Part III.
Table of Contents
Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 6
Item 1A. Risk Factors 58
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 69
Item 1C. Cybersecurity 70
Item 2. Properties 70
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 73
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 74
PART II
Item 6. [Reserved] 76
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 121
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 122
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 124
Item 9B. Other Information 124
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections 124
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 125
Item 11. Executive Compensation 125
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 125
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 126
NOTE TO READER
In reading this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to:
•the “Trust” and “Holdings” refer to Compass Diversified Holdings;
•the “LLC” refer to Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC;
•the "Company" refer to Compass Diversified Holdings and Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, collectively;
•“businesses”, “operating segments”, “subsidiaries” and “reporting units” all refer to, collectively, the businesses controlled by the Company;
•the “Manager” refer to Compass Group Management LLC (“CGM”);
•the "Trust Agreement" refer to the Third Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of August 3, 2021, as further amended;
•the "2022 Credit Facility" refers to the third amended and restated credit agreement entered into on July 12, 2022, as further amended, among the LLC, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and letter of credit issuer (the "agent")
•the "2022 Revolving Credit Facility" refers to the $600 million in revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit provided by the 2022 Credit Facility that matures in 2027;
•the "2022 Term Loan" refer to the $400 million term loan provided by the 2022 Credit Facility;
•the "2021 Credit Facility" refer to the second amended and restated credit agreement entered into on March 23, 2021 among the Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the "Lenders"), Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer (the "agent") and other agents party thereto;
•the "2021 Revolving Credit Facility" refers to the $600 million in revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit provided by the 2021 Credit Facility that matures in 2026;
•the "LLC Agreement" refers to the Sixth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of August 3, 2021, as further amended; and
•"we," "us" and "our" refer to the Trust, the Company and the businesses together.
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” contains forward-looking statements. We may, in some cases, use words such as "project," "predict," "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "should," "would," "could," "potentially," "may," or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws. Forward looking statements include, among other things, (i) statements as to our future performance or liquidity, such as expectations for our results of operation, net income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings, and ability to make quarterly distributions and (ii) our plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, including our business outlook and planned capital expenditures. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including, among other things:
•changes in general economic, political or business conditions or economic, political or demographic trends in the United States ("U.S.") and other countries in which we have a presence, including changes in interest rates and inflation;
•disruption in the global supply chain, labor shortages and high labor costs;
•difficulties and delays in integrating, or business disruptions following, acquisitions or an inability to fully realize cost savings and other benefit related thereto;
•our ability to successfully operate our subsidiary businesses on a combined basis, and to effectively integrate and improve future acquisitions;
•our ability to maintain our credit facilities or incur additional borrowings on terms we deem attractive;
•our ability to remove CGM and CGM’s right to resign;
•our organizational structure, which may limit our ability to meet our dividend and distribution policy;
•our ability to service and comply with the terms of our indebtedness;
•our ability to make distributions in the future to our shareholders;
•our ability to pay the management fee and profit allocation if and when due;
•our ability to make and finance future acquisitions;
•our ability to implement our acquisition and management strategies;
•the legal and regulatory environment in which our subsidiaries operate;
•trends in the industries in which our subsidiaries operate;
•future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities);
•risks associated with possible disruption in operations or the economy generally due to terrorism or natural disaster or social, civil or political unrest;
•environmental risks affecting the business or operations of our subsidiaries;
•our and CGM’s ability to retain or replace qualified employees of our subsidiaries and CGM;
•the impact of the tax reclassifications of the Trust;
•costs and effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; and
•extraordinary or force majeure events affecting the business or operations of our subsidiary businesses.
Our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. A description of some of the risks that could cause our actual results to differ appears under the section “Risk Factors”. Additional risks of which we are not currently aware or which we currently deem immaterial could also cause our actual results to differ.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur.For all of these forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Compass Diversified Holdings, a Delaware statutory trust (“Holdings”, or the “Trust”), was incorporated in Delaware on November 18, 2005. Compass Group Diversified Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”), was also formed on November 18, 2005. The Trust and the LLC (collectively, the “Company”) were formed to acquire and manage a group of small and middle-market businesses headquartered in North America. The Trust is the sole owner of 100% of the Trust Interests, as defined in our LLC Agreement, of the LLC. Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, the Trust owns an identical number of Trust Interests in the LLC as exist for the number of outstanding shares of the Trust.
The Trust was previously treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes but elected, effective September 1, 2021, to be taxed as an association taxable as a corporation. Following this tax election, Trust shareholders should generally only be subject to taxation from holding Trust shares in connection with disposition of Trust shares and receipt of taxable dividends from the Trust. Trust shareholders subject to tax rules regarding “unrelated business taxable income” (or “UBTI”) will no longer be allocated UBTI from the Trust.
The LLC is the operating entity with a board of directors whose corporate governance responsibilities are similar to that of a Delaware corporation. The LLC’s board of directors oversees the management of the Company and our businesses and the performance of Compass Group Management LLC (“CGM” or our “Manager”). Certain persons who are employees and partners of our Manager receive a profit allocation as beneficial owners (through Sostratus LLC) of 54.0% of the Allocation Interests, as defined in our LLC Agreement.
Overview
We acquire controlling interests in and actively manage businesses that we believe (i) operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities, (ii) have positive and stable cash flows, (iii) face minimal threats of technological or competitive obsolescence, and (iv) have strong management teams largely in place. We offer investors a unique opportunity to own a diverse group of leading middle-market businesses in the branded-consumer, industrial and healthcare and critical outsourced services sectors.
Our disciplined approach to our target markets provides opportunities to methodically acquire and manage attractive businesses that will create value for our shareholders. For sellers of businesses, our unique financial structure allows us to purchase businesses efficiently with little or no third party financing contingencies and, following acquisition, to provide our businesses with substantial access to growth capital. In addition, our permanent capital model and ample liquidity allows us to acquire businesses at any point across economic cycles, ensuring that we are able to act quickly when the opportunity presents itself, even when markets are volatile.
We believe that private company operators and corporate parents looking to sell their business units may consider us an attractive purchaser because of our ability to:
•provide ongoing strategic and financial support for their businesses, including professionalization of our subsidiaries at scale;
•maintain a long-term outlook as to the ownership of those businesses;
•sustainably invest in growth capital and/or add-on acquisitions where appropriate; and
•consummate transactions efficiently without being dependent on third-party transaction financing.
In particular, we believe that our long-term approach and our active management may alleviate the concern that many private company operators and parent companies may have with regard to their businesses going through multiple sale processes in a short period of time. We believe our approach enhances our ability to develop a comprehensive strategy to grow the earnings and cash flows of each of our businesses.
Finally, it has been our experience, that our ability to acquire businesses without the cumbersome delays and conditions typical of third-party transactional financing is appealing to sellers of businesses who are interested in confidentiality, speed and certainty of close.
We believe our management team’s strong relationships with industry executives, accountants, attorneys, business brokers, commercial and investment bankers, and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities offer us substantial opportunities to assess small to middle market businesses available for acquisition. In addition, the
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flexibility, creativity, experience and expertise of our management team in structuring transactions allows us to consider non-traditional and complex transactions tailored to fit a specific acquisition target.
In terms of the businesses in which we have a controlling interest as of December 31, 2024, we believe that these businesses have strong management teams, operate in strong markets with defensible market niches, and maintain long-standing customer relationships.
We categorize the current businesses we own into two separate groups (i) branded consumer businesses and, (ii) industrial businesses. Branded consumer businesses are those businesses that we believe capitalize on a valuable brand name in their respective market sector. We believe that our branded consumer businesses are leaders in their product categories. Industrial businesses are those businesses that focus on manufacturing and selling products and/or industrial services within a specific market sector. We believe that our industrial businesses are leaders in their specific market sectors.
The following is a brief summary of the businesses in which we own a controlling interest at December 31, 2024:
Branded Consumer Businesses
5.11
5.11 ABR Corp. ("5.11") is a leading provider of purpose-built technical apparel and gear for law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and military special operations as well as outdoor and adventure enthusiasts. 5.11 is a brand known for innovation and authenticity, and works directly with end users to create purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear designed to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed and performance of tactical professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, 5.11 operates sales offices and distribution centers globally, and 5.11 products are widely distributed in uniform stores, military exchanges, outdoor retail stores, its own retail stores and on 511tactical.com. We made loans to and purchased a controlling interest in 5.11 for approximately $408.2 million in August 2016. We currently own 97.6% of the outstanding stock of 5.11 on a primary basis and 86.9% on a fully diluted basis.
BOA
BOA Holdings Inc. ("BOA") creator of the revolutionary, award-winning, patented BOA Fit System, partners with market-leading brands to make the best gear even better. Delivering fit solutions purpose-built for performance, the BOA Fit System is featured in footwear across snow sports, cycling, outdoor, athletic, workwear as well as performance headwear and bracing. The system consists of three integral parts: a micro-adjustable dial, high-tensile lightweight laces, and low friction lace guides creating a superior alternative to laces, buckles, Velcro, and other traditional closure mechanisms. Each unique BOA configuration is designed with brand partners to deliver superior fit and performance for athletes, is engineered to perform in the toughest conditions and is backed by The BOA Lifetime Guarantee. BOA is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has offices in Austria, Greater China, South Korea, and Japan. We made loans to, and acquired a controlling interest in, BOA on October 16, 2020 for approximately $456.8 million. We currently own 91.7% of the outstanding stock of BOA on a primary basis and 83.0% on a fully diluted basis.
Lugano
Lugano Holdings, Inc. ("Lugano"), is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end, one-of-a-kind jewelry sought after by some of the world’s most discerning clientele. Lugano conducts sales via its own retail salons as well as pop-up showrooms at Lugano-hosted or sponsored events in partnership with influential organizations in the equestrian, art and philanthropic community. Lugano is headquartered in Newport Beach, California. We made loans to, and purchased a controlling interest in, Lugano on September 3, 2021 for approximately $265.1 million. We currently own 59.9% of the outstanding stock of Lugano on a primary basis and 55.0% on a fully diluted basis.
PrimaLoft
PrimaLoft Technologies Holdings, Inc. ("PrimaLoft") is a leading provider of branded, high-performance synthetic insulation and materials used primarily in consumer outerwear, and accessories. The portfolio of PrimaLoft synthetic insulations offers products that can both mimic natural down aesthetics and provide the freedom to design garments ranging from stylish puffers to lightweight performance apparel. PrimaLoft insulations also offer superior economics
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to the brand partner and enable better sustainability characteristics through the use of recycled, low-carbon inputs. We made loans to, and purchased a controlling interest in, PrimaLoft on July 12, 2022 for approximately $541.1 million. PrimaLoft is headquartered in Latham, New York. We currently own 90.7% of the outstanding stock of PrimaLoft on a primary basis and 84.7% on a fully diluted basis.
The Honey Pot Co.
The Honey Pot Co. is a leading “better-for-you” feminine care brand, powered by plant-derived ingredients and clinically tested formulas. Founded in 2012 by CEO Beatrice Dixon, The Honey Pot Co. is rooted in the belief that all products should be made with healthy and efficacious ingredients that are kind to and safe for skin. The Honey Pot Co. offers an extensive range of holistic wellness products across the feminine hygiene, menstrual, personal care, and sexual wellness categories. The Honey Pot Co.'s mission is to educate, support, and provide consumers around the world with tools and resources that promote menstrual health and vaginal wellness. Its products can be found in stores across the U.S. through mass merchants, drug and grocery retail chains, and online. We made loans to, and purchased a controlling interest in, The Honey Pot Co. on January 31, 2024 for approximately $380 million. The Honey Pot Co. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We currently own 84.8% of the outstanding stock of The Honey Pot Co. on a primary basis and 77.2% on a fully diluted basis.
Velocity Outdoor
Velocity Outdoor Inc. ("Velocity Outdoor" or "Velocity") is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of archery products, hunting apparel and related accessories. The archery product category consists of products including Ravin crossbows and CenterPoint archery products, and the apparel category offers high-performance, feature rich hunting and casual apparel under the King's Camo brand, utilizing King’s own proprietary camo patterns. Velocity Outdoor offers its products through national retail chains and dealer and distributor networks. We made loans to, and purchased a controlling interest in, Velocity Outdoor on June 2, 2017 for approximately $150.4 million. Velocity Outdoor is headquartered in Rochester, New York. We currently own 99.4% of the outstanding stock of Velocity Outdoor on a primary basis and 93.3% on a fully diluted basis.
Industrial Businesses
Altor Solutions
FFI Compass, Inc. ("Altor Solutions" or "Altor") (formerly "Foam Fabricators"), headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is a designer and manufacturer of custom molded protective foam solutions and original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") components made from expanded polystyrene ("EPS") and other expanded polymers. Altor provides products to a variety of end-markets, including appliances and electronics, pharmaceuticals, health and wellness, automotive, building products and others. Altor’s molded foam solutions offer shock and vibration protection, surface protection, temperature control, resistance to water absorption and vapor transmission and other protective properties critical for shipping small, delicate items, heavy equipment or temperature-sensitive goods. Altor operates molding and fabricating facilities across North America, creating a geographic footprint of strategically located manufacturing plants to efficiently serve national customer accounts. We acquired Altor on February 15, 2018 for a purchase price of approximately $253.4 million. We currently own 99.3% of the outstanding stock of Altor on a primary basis and 90.2% on a fully diluted basis.
Arnold
AMT Acquisition Corp. ("Arnold") serves a variety of markets including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport/ automotive, oil and gas, medical, energy, semiconductor and advertising specialties. Over the course of more than 100 years, Arnold has successfully evolved and adapted its products, technologies, and manufacturing presence to meet the demands of current and emerging markets. Arnold engineers solutions for and produces high performance permanent magnets (PMAG), stators, rotors and full electric motors ("Ramco"), precision foil products (Precision Thin Metals or "PTM"), and flexible magnets (FlexmagTM) that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors and other systems and components. Arnold has expanded globally and built strong relationships with its customers worldwide. Arnold is the largest and, we believe, the most technically advanced U.S. manufacturer of engineered magnetic systems. Arnold is headquartered in Rochester, New York. We made loans to, and purchased a controlling interest in, Arnold on March 5, 2012 for approximately $128.8 million. We currently own 98.0% of the outstanding stock of Arnold on a primary basis and 85.8% on a fully diluted basis.
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Sterno
SternoCandleLamp Holdings, Inc. ("Sterno"), headquartered in Plano, Texas, is the parent company of Sterno Products, LLC ("Sterno Products") and Rimports, LLC ("Rimports"). Sterno is a leading manufacturer and marketer of portable food warming systems, creative indoor and outdoor lighting, and home fragrance solutions for the consumer markets. Sterno also manufactures creative indoor and outdoor lighting and home fragrance solutions for consumer markets. Sterno offers a broad range of wick and gel chafing systems, butane stoves and accessories, liquid and traditional wax candles, catering equipment and lamps through Sterno Products, as well as scented wax cubes, warmer products, outdoor lighting and essential oils used for home decor and fragrance systems, through Rimports. We made loans to, and purchased all of the equity interests in, Sterno on October 10, 2014 for approximately $160.0 million. Sterno offers a broad range of wick and gel chafing fuels, butane stoves and accessories, liquid and traditional wax candles, catering equipment and lamps through their Sterno Products division. In February 2018, Sterno acquired Rimports, a manufacturer and distributor of branded and private label scented wax cubes and warmer products used for home decor and fragrance systems. We currently own 98.5% of the outstanding stock of Sterno on a primary basis and 91.6% on a fully diluted basis.
Our businesses also represent our operating segments. See “Our Businesses” and “Note Q – Operating Segment Data” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our businesses as our operating segments, including information related to geographies.
2024 Distributions
Common shares - For the 2024 fiscal year we declared distributions to our common shareholders totaling $1.00 per share.
Preferred shares - For the 2024 fiscal year we declared distributions to our preferred shareholders totaling $1.8125 per share on our Series A Preferred Shares, $1.96875 per share on our Series B Preferred Shares and $1.96875 per share on our Series C Preferred Shares.
Tax Reporting
On August 3, 2021, the shareholders of the Trust approved amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust and the Fifth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Company to allow the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) to cause the Trust to elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the “tax reclassification”) and, at its discretion in the future, cause the Trust to be converted to a corporation. Following the shareholder vote, the Board resolved to cause the Trust to elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust was taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes since January 1, 2007 and until the tax reclassification became effective on September 1, 2021.
The Trust is treated as a corporation for any taxable period beginning on or after the tax reclassification. Income, gain, loss, deduction and credit from the Trust is no longer passed through to the Trust shareholders. The Trust is required to file Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return on an annual basis and for all taxable periods beginning on or after the tax reclassification. In addition, distribution with respect to Trust shares (including Trust preferred shares) are now reported on Form 1099-DIV, instead of on Schedule K-1.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "Commission"), including Forms S-1 and S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which include exhibits, schedules and amendments to those reports, as well as other filings required by the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of such reports, and amendments thereto, are available free of charge through our website at https://compassdiversified.com/ as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
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Organizational Structure (1)
Our Manager
Our Manager, CGM, has been engaged to manage the day-to-day operations and affairs of the Company and to execute our strategy, as discussed below. Collectively, our management team has extensive experience in acquiring and managing small and middle market businesses. We believe our Manager is unique in the marketplace in terms of the success and experience of its employees in acquiring and managing diverse businesses of the size and
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general nature of our businesses. We believe this experience will provide us with an advantage in executing our overall strategy. Our management team devotes substantially all of its time to the affairs of the Company.
We have entered into a management services agreement, (the “Management Services Agreement” or “MSA”) pursuant to which our Manager manages the day-to-day operations and affairs of the Company and oversees the management and operations of our businesses. We pay our Manager a quarterly management fee for the services it performs on our behalf. In addition, certain persons who are employees and partners of our Manager receive a profit allocation with respect to its Allocation Interests in us. All of the Allocation Interests in us are owned by Sostratus LLC. Payment of profit allocations to Sostratus LLC can occur for each of our subsidiaries during the 30-day period following the fifth anniversary of the date upon which we acquired a controlling interest in that business (a "Holding Event") to the extent contribution based profit has been earned, and upon the sale of a subsidiary from which there is a realizable gain (a "Sale Event"). See Part III, Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” for further descriptions of the management fees and profit allocations.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are employees of our Manager and have been seconded to us. Neither the Trust nor the LLC has any other employees. Although our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are employees of our Manager, they report directly to the LLC’s board of directors. The management fee paid to our Manager covers all expenses related to the services performed by our Manager, including the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other personnel providing services to us. The LLC reimburses our Manager for the compensation and related costs and expenses of our Chief Financial Officer and his staff, who dedicate substantially all of their time to the affairs of the Company.
Subsequent Developments
Effective January 15, 2025, the LLC and the Manager entered into the Seventh Amended and Restated Management Services Agreement (the "MSA Amendment") to restructure the management fee under the MSA to consist of a base management fee and an incentive management fee. Pursuant to the MSA Amendment, the base management fee will be (i) 2% the Company’s adjusted net assets when the adjusted net assets are less than or equal to $3.5 billion (the “Initial Threshold Fee”), (ii) the Initial Threshold Fee plus 1.25% of the amount of adjusted net assets exceeding $3.5 billion when the adjusted net assets are more than $3.5 billion but less than $10 billion, or (iii) 1.5% of the adjusted net assets when the adjusted net assets are $10 billion or more. The incentive management fee will be 0.25% of the amount of adjusted net assets exceeding $3.5 billion only when the adjusted net assets are more than $3.5 billion but less than $10 billion and only if the Company’s annualized internal rate of return on equity for the trailing three-years, exceeds 12%. Any incentive management fee paid to the Manager may only be distributed by the Manager among the then-current Employees (as defined in the MSA) of the Manager. Such incentive management fee is subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board. The MSA Amendment also eliminates the payment of integration services fees by the Company’s subsidiaries to the Manager and excludes excess cash held by the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, from the calculation of the adjusted net assets of the Company, along with certain other changes.
See Part III, Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence.”
Market Opportunity
We acquire and actively manage small and middle market businesses. We characterize small to middle market businesses as those that generate annual cash flows of up to $100 million per year. We believe that the acquisition market for these businesses is highly fragmented and often provides opportunities to purchase at more attractive prices and achieve better outcomes for our shareholders. We believe this is driven by the following factors:
•third-party financing for these acquisitions is often less available or terms are less favorable for the borrower;
•sellers of these businesses frequently consider non-economic factors, such as legacy or the effect of the sale on their employees;
•these businesses are more likely to be sold outside of an auction process or as part of a limited process; and
•"add-on" acquisitions can often be completed at attractive multiples of cash flow.
Frequently, opportunities exist to support and augment existing management at such businesses and improve the performance of these businesses upon their acquisition through active management. We are business builders
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rather than asset traders. In the past, our management team has acquired businesses that were owned by entrepreneurs or large corporate parents. In these cases, our management team has frequently found opportunities to profitably invest in areas of the acquired businesses beyond levels that existed at the time of acquisition. In addition, our management team has frequently found that processes such as financial reporting and management information systems of acquired businesses may be improved, leading to improvements in reporting and operations and ultimately earnings and cash flow. Finally, our management team often acts as a business development arm for our businesses to pursue organic or external growth strategies that may not have been pursued by their previous owners.
Our Strategy
Our permanent capital structure enables us to acquire, manage and grow attractive businesses that are leaders in their space. We actively invest in people, processes, and culture to support our business as we pursue disruptive growth opportunities and drive transformational change. We have two primary strategies that we use to support long-term value creation. First, we focus on growing the earnings and cash flow from our subsidiary businesses and help them professionalize at scale. We support our subsidiary companies’ growth initiatives and will work with our management teams to identify and acquire attractive add-on acquisitions that are consistent with their long-term strategies. We believe that the scale and scope of our businesses give us a diverse base of cash flow upon which to further build. Second, we identify, perform due diligence on, negotiate and consummate additional platform acquisitions of small to middle market businesses in attractive industry sectors in accordance with acquisition criteria established by the Board.
Management Strategy
Our management strategy involves the proactive financial and operational management of the subsidiaries we own in order to increase cash flows and shareholder value. Our Manager actively oversees and supports the management teams of each of our subsidiaries by, among other things:
•recruiting and retaining talented managers to operate our businesses using structured incentive compensation programs, including non-controlling equity ownership, tailored to each business;
•regularly monitoring financial and operational performance, instilling consistent financial discipline, and supporting management in the development and implementation of information systems to effectively achieve these goals;
•identifying and aligning with external policy and performance tailwinds such as those influenced by growing climate, health, and social justice concerns (and similar environmental, social and governance ("ESG") drivers);
•assisting management in their analysis and pursuit of prudent organic growth strategies;
•identifying and working with management to execute attractive external growth and acquisition opportunities;
•assisting management in controlling and right-sizing overhead costs;
•nurturing an internal culture of transparency, alignment, accountability and governance, including regular reporting;
•professionalizing our subsidiaries at scale; and
•forming strong subsidiary level boards of directors to supplement management in their development and implementation of strategic goals and objectives.
Specifically, while our businesses have different growth opportunities and potential rates of growth, we expect our Manager to work with the management teams of each of our businesses to increase the value of, and cash generated by, each business through various initiatives, including:
•making selective capital investments to expand geographic reach, increase capacity, or reduce manufacturing costs of our businesses;
•investing in product research and development for new products, processes or services for customers;
•improving and expanding existing sales and marketing programs;
•pursuing reductions in operating costs through improved operational efficiency or outsourcing of certain processes and products; and
•consolidating or improving management of certain overhead functions.
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Our businesses typically acquire and integrate complementary businesses. We believe that complementary add-on acquisitions improve our overall financial and operational performance by allowing us to:
•leverage manufacturing and distribution operations;
•leverage branding and marketing programs, as well as customer relationships;
•add experienced management or management expertise;
•increase market share and penetrate new markets; and
•realize cost synergies by allocating the corporate overhead expenses of our businesses across a larger number of businesses and by implementing and coordinating improved management practices.
Acquisition Strategy
Our acquisition strategy is to acquire middle-market companies that we believe have a sustainable competitive advantage and are poised to gain share in attractive markets. Our goal is to produce stable and growing earnings and cash flow. We expect to make platform acquisitions in industries other than those in which our businesses currently operate. We believe that attractive opportunities will continue to present themselves, as private sector owners seek to monetize their interests in long-standing and privately-held businesses and large corporate parents seek to dispose of their “non-core” operations.
Our ideal acquisition candidate has the following characteristics:
•is a leading branded consumer, industrial, healthcare or critical outsourced service company headquartered in North America;
•maintains highly defensible position in the markets it serves and with customers;
•operates in an industry with favorable long-term macroeconomic trends;
•has a strong management team, either currently in place or previously identified, and meaningful incentives;
•has low technological and/or product obsolescence risk; and
•maintains a diversified customer and supplier base.
We benefit from our Manager’s ability to identify potential diverse acquisition opportunities in a variety of industries. In addition, we rely upon our management team’s experience and expertise in researching and valuing prospective target businesses, as well as negotiating the ultimate acquisition of such target businesses. In particular, because there may be a lack of information available about these target businesses, which may make it more difficult to understand or appropriately value such target businesses, on our behalf, our Manager:
•engages in a substantial level of internal and third-party due diligence;
•critically evaluates the target management team;
•identifies and assesses any financial and operational strengths and weaknesses of the target business;
•analyzes comparable businesses to assess financial and operational performances relative to industry competitors;
•actively researches and evaluates information on the relevant industry; and
•thoroughly negotiates appropriate terms and conditions of any acquisition.
The process of acquiring new businesses is both time-consuming and complex. Our management team historically has taken from two to twenty-four months to perform due diligence, negotiate and close acquisitions. Although our management team is at various stages of evaluating several transactions at any given time, there may be periods of time during which our management team does not recommend any new acquisitions to us. Even if an acquisition is recommended by our management team, our Board may not approve it.
A component of our acquisition financing strategy that we utilize in acquiring the businesses we own and manage is to provide both equity capital and debt capital, raised at the parent company level largely through our existing credit facility. We believe, and it has been our experience, that having the ability to finance our acquisitions with capital resources raised by us, rather than negotiating separate third-party financing, provides us with an advantage in successfully acquiring attractive businesses by minimizing delay and closing conditions that are often related to acquisition-specific financings. In addition, our strategy of providing this intercompany debt financing within the capital structure of the businesses we acquire and manage allows us the ability to distribute cash to the parent company through monthly interest payments and amortization of principle on these intercompany loans.
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Upon acquisition of a new business, we rely on our Manager’s experience and expertise to work efficiently and effectively with the management of the new business to jointly develop and execute a successful business plan.
Strategic Advantages
Based on the experience of our management team and its ability to identify and negotiate acquisitions, we believe we are well-positioned to acquire and manage additional businesses. Our management team has strong relationships with business brokers, investment and commercial bankers, accountants, attorneys and other potential sources of acquisition opportunities. In addition, our management team has a successful track record of acquiring and managing small-to-middle market businesses in various industries. In negotiating these acquisitions, we believe our management team has been able to successfully navigate complex situations surrounding acquisitions, including corporate spin-offs, transitions of family-owned businesses, management buy-outs and reorganizations.
Our management team has a large network that we estimate to be approximately 2,000 deal intermediaries who we expect to expose us to potential acquisitions. Through this network, as well as our management team’s proprietary transaction sourcing efforts, we have a substantial pipeline of potential acquisition targets. Our management team also has a well-established network of contacts, including professional managers, attorneys, accountants and other third-party consultants and advisors, who may be available to assist us in the performance of due diligence and the negotiation of acquisitions, as well as the management and operation of our acquired businesses.
Finally, because we intend to fund acquisitions through the utilization of our 2022 Revolving Credit Facility, we expect to minimize the delays and closing conditions typically associated with transaction specific financing, as is typically the case in such acquisitions. We believe this advantage can be a powerful one, especially in a tight credit environment, and is highly unusual in the marketplace for acquisitions in which we operate.
Valuation and Due Diligence
When evaluating businesses or assets for acquisition, our management team performs rigorous due diligence and a financial evaluation process including an evaluation of the operations of the target business and the outlook for its industry. While valuation of a business is a subjective process, we define valuations under a variety of analyses, including:
•discounted cash flow analyses;
•evaluation of trading values of comparable companies;
•expected value matrices; and
•examination of comparable recent transactions.
One outcome of this process is a projection of the expected cash flows from the target business. A further outcome is a better understanding of the types and levels of risk associated with those projections. While future performance and projections are always uncertain, we believe that with detailed due diligence, future cash flows will be better estimated and the prospects for operating the business in the future better evaluated. To assist us in identifying material risks and validating key assumptions in our financial and operational analysis, in addition to our own analysis, we engage third-party experts to review key risk areas, including legal, tax, regulatory, accounting, insurance and environmental. We also engage technical, operational or industry consultants, as necessary.
A further critical component of the evaluation of potential target businesses is the assessment of the capability of the existing management team, including recent performance, expertise, experience, culture and incentives to perform. Where necessary, and consistent with our management strategy, we actively seek to augment, supplement or replace existing members of management who we believe are not likely to execute our business plan for the target business. Similarly, we analyze and evaluate the financial and operational information systems of target businesses and, where necessary, we enhance and improve those existing systems that are deemed to be inadequate or insufficient to support our business plan for the target business.
Environmental, Social and Governance
In the last few years, companies, investors and policymakers have focused more attention on - and have made investments in - companies that are considered leaders in ESG practices. We believe that ESG engagement can help drive value creation and have incorporated ESG factors into our acquisition analysis and decision making. We believe strong ESG practices can be long-term performance enhancing and enable us to oversee and balance the needs of important stakeholders in doing so. We are committed to maintaining responsible business practices that position our businesses for long-term success.
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Our long-term responsible approach is also reflected in how we manage ourselves.We have been and remain committed to being a responsible partner to our subsidiaries and are proud stewards of corporate citizenship.
Financing
We incur third-party debt financing almost entirely at the Company level, which we use, in combination with our equity capital, to provide debt financing to each of our businesses and to acquire additional businesses. We believe this financing structure is beneficial to the financial and operational activities of each of our businesses by aligning our interests as both equity holders of, and lenders to, our businesses, in a manner that we believe is more efficient than each of our businesses borrowing from third-party lenders.
Debt Financing
2022 Credit Facility
On July 12, 2022, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to amend and restate the 2021 Credit Facility. The 2022 Credit Facility provides for revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit (the "2022 Revolving Credit Facility") up to a maximum aggregate amount of $600 million (the "2022 Revolving Loan Commitment") and a $400 million term loan (the “2022 Term Loan”). The 2022 Term Loan requires quarterly payments ranging from $2.5 million to $7.5 million, commencing September 30, 2022, with a final payment of all remaining principal and interest due on July 12, 2027, which is the 2022 Term Loan’s maturity date. All amounts outstanding under the 2022 Revolving Line of Credit will become due on July 12, 2027, which is the termination date of the 2022 Revolving Loan Commitment. The 2022 Credit Facility also permits the LLC, prior to the applicable maturity date, to increase the 2022 Revolving Loan Commitment and/or obtain additional term loans in an aggregate amount of up to $250 million, subject to certain customary restrictions and conditions. On the closing date for the 2022 Credit Facility, the 2022 Term Loan was advanced in full.
The 2022 Credit Facility provides for letters of credit under the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate face amount not to exceed $100 million outstanding at any time, as well as swing line loans of up to $25 million outstanding at one time. At no time may the (i) aggregate principal amount of all amounts outstanding under the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all outstanding letters of credit and swing line loans, exceed the borrowing availability under the 2022 Credit Facility. At December 31, 2024, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $3.5 million. The borrowing availability under the 2022 Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2024 was approximately $486.6 million.
The 2022 Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of the Company, including all of its equity interests in, and loans to, its consolidated subsidiaries. (See "Note H - Debt" to the consolidated financial statements for more detail regarding our 2022 Credit Facility).
Subsequent Developments
On January 9, 2025, the Company entered into a First Incremental Facility Amendment to modify the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to provide for (a) an additional advance of the term loan in the aggregate amount of $200 million (the “Incremental Term Loan”) on the date of the amendment, and (b) delayed draw term loan commitments in the aggregate amount of $100 million (the “Incremental Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments,” and the loan drawn thereunder is referred to herein as the “Incremental Delayed Draw Term Loan”), which may be reduced or terminated by the Company upon five business days’ notice and pursuant to which the Company may make no more than two draws by July 9, 2025. The proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan and the Incremental Delayed Draw Term Loan is expected to be used for new acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The Incremental Term Loan, along with the existing term loan under the Credit Agreement, will require quarterly repayments of principal amounts ranging from $3.75 million to $11.25 million, commencing March 31, 2025, with a final payment of principal and interest due on July 12, 2027.
Senior Notes
On November 17, 2021, we consummated the issuance and sale of $300 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.000% Notes due 2032 (the "2032 Notes") offered pursuant to a private offering to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and to non-U.S. persons under Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2032 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of November 17, 2021 (the “2032 Notes Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The 2032 Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.000% per annum and will mature on January 15, 2032. Interest on the 2032 Notes is payable in cash on July 15th and January 15th of each year. The 2032 Notes are general unsecured obligations of
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the Company and are not guaranteed by our subsidiaries. The proceeds from the sale of the 2032 Notes was used to repay debt outstanding under the 2021 Credit Facility.
On March 23, 2021, we consummated the issuance and sale of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5.250% Notes due 2029 (the "2029 Notes") offered pursuant to a private offering to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and to non-U.S. persons under Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2029 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 23, 2021 (the “2029 Notes Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The 2029 Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.250% per annum and will mature on April 15, 2029. Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable in cash on April 15th and October 15th of each year. The 2029 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and are not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
Equity Financing
Trust Common Shares
The Trust is authorized to issue 500,000,000 Trust common shares and the Company is authorized to issue a corresponding number of LLC interests. The Company will, at all times have an equal amount of LLC interests outstanding as Trust shares. At December 31, 2024, there were approximately 75.2 million Trust common shares outstanding.
Share repurchase program
On October 15, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase, through December 31, 2024, subject to extension by the Board, up to $100 million of its outstanding common shares. The Company repurchased 416,320 shares for approximately $9.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. This share repurchase program expired on December 31, 2024.
In January 2023, the Company's Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase, through December 31, 2023, up to $50 million of its outstanding common shares. The Company repurchased 482,400 shares for approximately $9.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The share repurchase program expired on December 31, 2023.
At-the market program - common shares
On September 5, 2024, the Company refreshed its at-the-market program for the common shares of the Trust, which was initially established on September 7, 2021, by filing a prospectus supplement pursuant to which the Company may, but has no obligation to, issue and sell up to $500 million common shares of the Trust in amounts and at times to be determined by the Company. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including, market conditions, the trading price of Trust common shares and determinations by us regarding appropriate sources of funding.
In connection with refreshing the program, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Amended Common Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. ("B. Riley Securities"), Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC ("Goldman") and TD Securities (USA) LLC (each a “Common Sales Agent” and, collectively, the “Common Sales Agents”). The Amended Common Sales Agreement provides that the Company may offer and sell Trust common shares from time to time through or to the Common Sales Agents, as sales agent or principal, up to $500 million, in amounts and at times to be determined by the Company. Pursuant to the Amended Common Sales Agreement, the shares may be offered and sold through each Common Sales Agent, acting separately, in ordinary brokers’ transactions, to or through a market maker, on or through the New York Stock Exchange or any other market venue where the securities may be traded, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions, in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The Amended Common Sales Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (collectively with the Amended Common Sales Agreement, the “Common Sales Agreement”), dated September 7, 2021, between the Company, B. Riley Securities and Goldman, which provided for the offer and sale of Trust common shares up to $500 million under the terms substantially same as those under the Amended Common Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company sold 381,957 Trust common shares under the Sales Agreement. For the same period, the Company received total net proceeds of approximately $8.4 million from these sales, and incurred approximately $0.1 million in commissions payable to the Sales Agents.
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During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no sales of Trust common shares under the Sales Agreement as the at-the-market program for common shares was not active when the share repurchase program was active.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company sold 3,464,844 Trust common shares under the Sales Agreement. For the same period, the Company received total net proceeds of approximately $84.0 million from these sales, and incurred approximately $1.5 million in commissions payable to the Sales Agents.
Trust Preferred Shares
The Trust is authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 million Trust preferred shares and the Company is authorized to issue a corresponding number of Trust Interests. We issued 4,000,000 7.250% Series A Preferred Shares in 2017, 4,000,000 7.875% Series B Preferred Shares in 2018 and 4,600,000 7.875% Series C Preferred Shares in 2019.
At-the market program - preferred shares
On September 5, 2024, the Company refreshed its at-the-market program for certain preferred shares of the Trust, which was initially established in the first quarter of 2024, by filing a prospectus supplement pursuant to which the Company may, but has no obligation to, issue and sell up to $200 million of the Trust’s 7.250% Series A Preferred Shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), 7.875% Series B Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred Shares”), and 7.875% Series C Preferred Shares (the “Series C Preferred Shares” and together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the Series B Preferred Shares, and the Series C Preferred Shares, the “Preferred Shares”), each representing beneficial interests in the Trust. The at-the-market program for preferred shares of the Trust was initially established on March 20, 2024 and allowed for the issuance and sale of up to $100 million of the Trust’s preferred shares.
In connection with refreshing the program, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Amended Preferred Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (the “Preferred Sales Agent”). The Amended Preferred Sales Agreement provides that the Company may offer and sell Trust preferred shares from time to time through or to the Preferred Sales Agent, as sales agent or principal, up to $200 million, in amounts and at times to be determined by the Company. Pursuant to the Amended Preferred Sales Agreement, the shares may be offered and sold through the Preferred Sales Agent in ordinary brokers’ transactions, to or through a market maker, on or through the New York Stock Exchange or any other market venue where the securities may be traded, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions, in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The Amended Preferred Sales Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (collectively with the Amended Preferred Sales Agreement, the “Preferred Sales Agreement”), dated March 20, 2024, between the Company and B. Riley Securities, which provided for the offer and sale of Trust preferred shares up to $100 million under the terms substantially same as those under the Amended Preferred Sales Agreement.
The following table reflects the activity in the preferred share ATM program during the year ended December 31, 2024(dollar amounts in thousands):
Number of Shares Sold Net Proceeds Commissions Paid
We intend to finance future acquisitions through our 2022 Revolving Credit Facility, cash on hand and, if necessary, additional equity and debt financings. We believe, and it has been our experience, that having the ability to finance our acquisitions with the capital resources raised by us, rather than negotiating separate third-party financing specifically related to the acquisition of individual businesses, provides us with an advantage in acquiring attractive businesses by minimizing delay and closing conditions that are often related to acquisition-specific financings. In this respect, we believe that in the future, we may need to pursue additional debt or equity financings, or offer equity
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in Holdings or target businesses to the sellers of such target businesses, in order to fund multiple future acquisitions.
Our Businesses
We categorize the current businesses we own into two separate groups of businesses (i) branded consumer businesses, and (ii) industrial businesses. Branded consumer businesses are characterized as those businesses that we believe capitalize on a valuable brand name in their respective market sector. We believe that our branded consumer businesses are leaders in their particular product category. Industrial businesses are characterized as those businesses that focus on manufacturing and selling particular products and industrial services within a specific market sector. We believe that our industrial businesses are leaders in their specific market sector.
The following table represents the percentage of net revenue and operating income each of our businesses contributed to our consolidated results since the date of acquisition for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, and the total assets of each of our businesses as a percentage of the consolidated total as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Net Revenue Operating Income (loss) (1) Total Assets
Year ended December 31, Year ended December 31, Year ended December 31,
Branded Consumer:
The Honey Pot Co. 4.8 % n/a n/a (0.5) % n/a n/a 10.1 % n/a
Industrial:
Corporate (2) — — — — — — 0.5 % 11.0 %
(1) Operating income (loss) reflected is as a percentage of the total contributed by the businesses and does not include expenses incurred at the corporate level.
(2) Total assets at corporate at December 31, 2023 primarily consists of cash proceeds related to the sale of our Marucci business in November 2023.
Branded Consumer Businesses
5.11
Overview
5.11 is a global lifestyle brand and innovator of purpose-built technical apparel, footwear and gear for a passionate and loyal group of consumers. 5.11 is a brand of choice for those who demand uncompromising functionality, durability, style and comfort of their gear. 5.11's brand authenticity stems from decades of collaboration with elite first responders and military professionals around the world, innovating to solve their greatest needs in the most mission-critical settings, where failure is not an option. Today, 5.11 continues to design and innovate for these professionals with the added purpose of delivering that unique functional expertise to everyday consumers. Management believes 5.11's large and growing community of everyday consumers associate with the 5.11 brand heritage and authenticity and values 5.11's high-quality product design and functionality.
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Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, 5.11 operates sales offices and distribution centers globally. 5.11 products are widely distributed in uniform stores, military exchanges, outdoor retail stores, its own retail stores and through e-commerce channels, including 511tactical.com.
History of 5.11
5.11's heritage dates back to the 1970’s when 5.11 pants were originally designed by Royal Robbins for elite rock climbers. These climbers wanted durable yet flexible and comfortable pants as they scaled the most extreme rock walls in Yosemite National Park. In the early 1990’s, the same 5.11 pant was adopted by the F.B.I. National Academy and became standard training issue because of its superior design and performance. Trusted by law enforcement and military professionals ever since, 5.11's innovative products have formed the cornerstone of the brand. 5.11 is an outfitter of choice for our heroes who require rugged, functional, durable, and technically-advanced products capable of withstanding harsh conditions without sacrificing comfort. Consumers’ needs and aspirations fuel 5.11's product innovation engine. 5.11 leveraged this foundation to expand their product expertise to a significantly larger market of underserved lifestyle-oriented consumers who identify with 5.11's brand positioning, appreciate their superior designs and share the "Always Be Ready" ("ABR") mindset.
We acquired a majority interest in 5.11 on August 31, 2016.
Industry
5.11 participates in the global professional and consumer soft goods market for tactical gear and apparel; the addressable global soft goods market was estimated by management to be approximately $79 billion. 5.11 products are designed for use in a wide variety of activities, from professional to recreational and outdoor and indoor, and can be used all year long. As a result, the markets and consumers 5.11 serves are broad and deep.
Products, Customers and Distribution
Products
Product innovation is at the core of 5.11’s heritage and identity. Since its inception, 5.11 has continuously developed and introduced innovative apparel, footwear and gear that are highly functional, technically-advanced and expertly designed setting the industry standard in each product category. 5.11’s product portfolio consists of technical apparel, footwear and gear designed with patented materials and functional features to their customers from head-to-toe. 5.11’s purpose-built products are durable, functional and comfortable. 5.11 serves a community of consumers inspired to live a life bigger than themselves and aligned with the “Always Be Ready” mindset. 5.11 offers a portfolio of head-to-toe purpose-built gear with patented functional features for both professional and recreational use. 5.11 focuses their product offering across three categories: apparel, footwear and gear. Leveraging in-field testing and design feedback from professional collaborations and in-house design and engineering expertise, 5.11 is able to create high quality products in each of its core segments. Innovating around the material and functional needs of professionals, 5.11 then broadens the application of their technical functionality into a range of consumer products within each category. This evolution of 5.11’s product lines creates tremendous leverage for their purpose-built functionality, allowing 5.11 to benefit from their growing and broad crossover appeal. 5.11’s innovations have not been limited to just apparel and textiles, as 5.11 has also proven their abilities within their footwear and gear categories.
Apparel - Apparel represents 5.11’s largest product category at 71%, 70% and 69%, respectively, of net sales for the years ending December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Within this category, 5.11 offers a broad assortment of men’s and women’s pants, shorts, shirts, outerwear, polos, and base layers. 5.11 offers apparel in a variety of styles and fits intended to enhance comfort, durability, and utility. 5.11 has historically designed and developed innovative “families” of products around proprietary fabrics that 5.11 has created to meet the needs of its consumers. These product “families” typically start with a purpose-built pant and then expand into other products.
•Pants - for many consumers, 5.11 technical purpose-built pants are the gateway into the 5.11 brand. 5.11 offers a wide range of pants to tackle any mission in a broad range of waist sizes and inseams for men and women. The fit, proprietary or patented fabrics and purpose-built designs deliver high levels of comfort, utility and durability. Among the most popular pants today are Stryke, Taclite, Apex, Fast-Tac and Defender-Flex, which have prices ranging from $58.00 to $125.00. The top selling pants include Taclite, which is built with a lighter and stronger fabric to outperform 5.11's original canvas pant, Stryke, which uses 5.11's patented FlexTac fabric, Apex, which leverages 5.11's Flex-Tac technology, and 5.11's highly durable FastTac all with stain and water-resistant properties, and Defender-Flex, 5.11’s performance denim.
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•Shirts, T-shirts and Polos – 5.11 tops are feature rich just like their pants. Patented document pockets, pen pockets, venting for heat, stain resistant, easy care and snag resistance are among some of these key features. Many of the shirts fabrics are lighter versions of 5.11’s patented or proprietary fabrics used in their best-selling pants. Among the most popular shirts today are Taclite, Stryke, and Fast-Tac shirts, which have prices ranging from $50.00 to $100.00. These shirts can be used as uniforms and/or casual wear. 5.11's polos are also well known for their comfort, durability and utility. 5.11 offers them in a range of proprietary fabrics that are highly fade resistant, and among some of the most popular styles are Performance Polo, Professional Polo and Utility Polo, which have price ranges from $50.00 to $65.00.
•Outerwear - 5.11 offers a wide range of outerwear solutions for on and off the job. Outerwear used on the job offer features not commonly found in lifestyle outerwear such as blood borne pathogen resistance or large areas of reflective materials. Technical system jackets, hard and soft shell as well as fleece pieces are designed to work individually or as a system. Features include innovations such as quick access side zippers and conceal pockets. 5.11 also offers technical survival outerwear systems engineered specifically for missions in extreme conditions. Products include base layers and briefs, pullovers, softshell jackets, wind pants, rain pants and jackets made of advanced fabrics.
Gear - Gear represented 19%, 19% and 20%, respectively, of 2024, 2023 and 2022 net sales, which includes multi-use backpacks, cases, load-bearing equipment, range bags, duffels, field knives, watches and gloves. 5.11 bags, pouches, and packs provide reliable, multifunctional storage options designed to excel in a wide range of operational and recreational settings. The bag offering meets the critical needs of emergency medical, public safety, and military professionals in the field, outdoor adventure enthusiasts going off the grid, and anyone who needs to maximize space and convenience packing for a weekend getaway. The patented Hexgrid® and Gear SetTM system enhance modularity capabilities, allowing users to have different sets per mission specific needs and attached pouches in 8 directions compared to other systems. 5.11 also offers a wide assortment of complementary accessories including belts, hats, flashlights, gloves, watches, knives and patches.
Footwear - Footwear represented 10%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of net sales in each of the years ending 2024, 2023 and 2022 and includes a full line of functional boots, low-profile tactical shoes, trainers, and socks. First embraced by 5.11 professional customers through their field boots, 5.11 has developed and tested footwear that stands up to extreme temperatures and weather conditions. 5.11 has evolved into the current lineup of trainers, casual sneakers and oxfords that afford 5.11's consumers the same level of comfort, protection, durability and style they expect from 5.11. 5.11 trainers feature All Terrain Load Assistance System (A.T.L.A.S.) technology, which is built to help 5.11's consumers undergo the most strenuous of workouts. The 5.11 A/T Trainer adds comfort and substantially increased agility, flexibility, and durability to cross training, functional fitness and heavy workouts.
Customers and Distribution Channels
Management believes the brand’s empowering message, innovative product quality, and technically advanced designs appeal to a broad and growing consumer base. Based on the cross-over appeal of its products, 5.11 consumers fall into two core groups, professional “Prosumers” and “Everyday Consumers.” The 5.11 community was initially built by Prosumers, which consists of groups such as U.S. military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and frontline workers, who require unwavering durability and reliability, but also value the design and comfort of the 5.11 products, providing the versatility to wear its products both on and off duty. Over time, 5.11 has expanded its reach into functionally focused Everyday Consumers, who, management believes, are inspired by Prosumers to live a life bigger than themselves and share the always be ready "ABR" mindset. 5.11 products resonate with a diverse group of Prosumers and Consumers, laying the foundation for continued expansion of a loyal and engaged consumer base into the future.
•Everyday Consumers: A blend of active, challenge-seeking and achievement-oriented gear consumers who thrive on fitness and adventure. Inspired by 5.11’s Prosumers to live a life bigger than themselves with the “Always Be Ready” mindset, these Everyday Consumers engage in a range of activities from fitness and training, to outdoor experiences such as hunting, hiking and overlanding, and purchase 5.11 products for everyday casual use. They prioritize maintaining high performance and, we believe, recognize that the functional superiority of 5.11 products aligns with their own achievement-oriented goals. They also appreciate the aesthetic and functional design of 5.11 products, which can take them from the comfort of their home to a favorite nearby hike, as well as 5.11 apparel, footwear and gear, which are as dynamic as they are functional. We believe the Everyday Consumers align with 5.11 products’ price points and superior value proposition.
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•Prosumers: Includes everyone from the most elite U.S. and international military and law enforcement special forces units on the planet to everyday heroes including first responders, frontline workers, and other professionals, both on duty in mission-critical situations and off-duty. Prosumers are devoted to service, on and off-the-clock, and 5.11 endeavors to match their dedication and commitment as it produces superior technical products for every aspect of their lives. 5.11’s unique combination of durability, functional excellence, and comfort allows Prosumers to turn to 5.11 seamlessly across a variety of use-cases, whether on-duty, training, spending a weekend overlanding, backpacking, or camping. Many of the Prosumers are never fully off-duty, making the ability to serve them comfortably and reliably in all aspects of their lives a top priority. 5.11 enables them to “Always Be Ready” to meet any challenges that cross their path.
The strength of the 5.11 business model is the ability to serve the consumer however they prefer to engage while simultaneously reinforcing the 5.11 brand’s premium association and authenticity. Rather than taking the traditional channel approach to the business which management believes limits 5.11's potential, 5.11 enters a trade area with an intentional mix of owned stores, Consumer Wholesale, Professional Wholesale, eCommerce and marketplaces. By approaching trade areas in this manner, 5.11 shares inventory between stores and eCommerce and optimizes speed and efficiency with logistics that meet consumers’ needs wherever they prefer to shop, rather than directing them into a particular channel. We believe this principle of product accessibility and experiential shopping drives brand building and organic lead generation. Though each channel is able to function profitability on an individual basis, the value derived from these channels working in concert is a unique competitive strength 5.11 employs in every market in which it operates.
Direct to Consumer - 5.11’s direct-to-consumer ("DTC") channel is comprised of its digital platform, 511tactical.com, its growing network of retail stores as well as its third-party marketplace partners. 5.11 has significantly expanded its DTC mix in the past five years, with DTC now comprising 43%, 45% and 43% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 5.11’s website has grown significantly and drives a significant portion of its online sales. 5.11 also operates company owned retail stores in 35 states, with plans to grow its footprint further. Both the online and company owned retail stores enable 5.11 to maintain direct relationships with consumers, influence the brand experience and better understand shopping preferences and behavior.
•eCommerce. 5.11 has grown its e-commerce substantially in the last few years, which has been enabled by continued investment in digital infrastructure capabilities, enhanced consumer experience through increased customization and curation, and a growing global supply chain. 5.11 has invested heavily in capabilities to further its e-commerce infrastructure, including a scalable ERP system and new locations that enable more cost effective and timely delivery for its e-commerce orders.
•Retail. 5.11 has grown its retail footprint to 122 branded and owned retail locations around the U.S. as of December 31, 2024. Its locations provide an opportunity for 5.11 to showcase its diverse product assortment. Retail also provides an opportunity to further engage with consumers through the ABR mindset, with in-person, local community events and educational opportunities that elevate the experiential retail experience.
•Third-party marketplaces. 5.11’s third-party marketplace partners, such as Amazon, are invaluable tools for its omnichannel presence. The collaboration with the some of the largest retailers brings 5.11 increased opportunity from sales and revenue to increased marketing opportunities and brand awareness. Yet at the same time, 5.11 is strategic about protecting its 5.11 brand and delivering a consistent consumer experience in the third-party marketplace.
Wholesale - The Wholesale channel is comprised of Professional Wholesale, Consumer Wholesale and International business. Wholesale sales were 54%, 55% and 57% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Professional Wholesale channel specializes in demand creation for formal procurement through specification of 5.11 on government contracts around the world. The Consumer Wholesale channel is comprised of dealers, outdoor specialty retailers, and military exchanges, serving predominantly Everyday Consumers. The International business includes retail locations and International e-commerce sites. International products are currently distributed in over 120 countries across the globe. Management believes there is significant opportunity for continued International expansion.
•Professional Wholesale. The Professional Wholesale channel consists of Prosumer sales relationships, and is comprised of dealers and resellers of 5.11 technical apparel, footwear and gear through governmental departments and agencies, including their retail front and e-commerce services that cater to Prosumers that need additional services, such as tailoring of their uniforms, in a one-stop-shop experience. Requirements
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of outfitting entire agencies or departments necessitates carrying numerous, often infrequently used, sizes and colors of a given product. In addition, 5.11’s years of handling these types of customized orders has resulted in 5.11 having a dedicated team with specialized expertise, a skillset that is unique in the industry. We believe 5.11’s significant investment in inventory provides a competitive advantage versus smaller less well capitalized competitors that carry low levels of inventory.
•Consumer Wholesale. The Consumer Wholesale channel consists of Everyday Consumer sales relationships, and is comprised of third-party retailers and their e-commerce sites. 5.11 consumers can find its products at well-known big box sports, outdoor specialty retailers and military exchanges, in addition to third-party online only retailers who focus on product sales in similar apparel, footwear and gear categories as we do. Shop-in-shop concepts at key retailers who also attract the 5.11 customer base gives consumers a tactile experience with 5.11 products, by which they can feel, try on, and compare 5.11 product offerings. Additionally, 5.11 gains online traction from discussion boards and forums that bring professional and everyday enthusiasts together to discuss 5.11 products and the category in general. Both avenues serve as catalysts to attract new customers and keep long time consumers loyal to the 5.11 brand.
•International. In addition to domestic whitespace, management believes there is opportunity to expand internationally as International only represented 22% of net sales in 2024. While 5.11 products are currently distributed in 120 countries across the globe, 5.11 has limited penetration in many of these countries with limited distribution in certain countries and certain dealers only carrying select styles. As such, management believes there is significant opportunity for continued international expansion and plans to methodically continue the expansion of its business.
No individual customer represented greater than 10% of 5.11’s net revenues in 2024. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, 5.11 had approximately $23.9 million and $34.6 million, respectively, in firm backlog.
Market Opportunities
5.11 products are designed for use in a wide variety of activities, from professional to recreational and outdoor and indoor, and can be used all year long. As a result, the markets and consumers 5.11 serves are broad and deep. The market opportunity is both significant and supported by the demand of 5.11’s innovative products providing an opportunity for future, profitable growth. As a category-defining brand, management believes its innovative products serving Everyday Consumers and Prosumers will continue to expand its addressable market.
•U.S. Everyday Consumer Opportunity. 5.11 products address a large and broad Everyday Consumer base consisting of individuals from all walks of life. Everyday Consumers include small business owners, teachers, lawyers, farmers, homemakers and others, who enjoy wearing 5.11 during work, after work and on their weekend adventures. Management believes the Everyday Consumers are multi-generational, though skewing younger. These younger consumers are representative of an expanding, technically-focused consumer base looking for performance in every aspect of their daily lives. 5.11 caters to Everyday Consumers across all regions of the U.S., though management believes Everyday Consumers are located primarily in urban and suburban locations.
•U.S. Prosumer Opportunity. 5.11’s premium product offering addresses a large Prosumer base, including first responders, military personnel, on and off-duty public servants, non-active military and other functionally focused professionals such as contractors, utility workers, hospital professionals and others using 5.11 for professional applications. Management believes Prosumers are multi-generational, though primarily middle-aged males. Similar to its Everyday Consumers, 5.11 caters to Prosumers across all regions of the U.S. and believes Prosumers are located primarily in urban and rural locations. The Prosumer market is a stable, recurring source of demand for 5.11's products. Management believes that Prosumer demand is resilient through economic cycles as Prosumers continue to depend on 5.11 products regardless of the economic environment.
•International Opportunity. In addition to the domestic whitespace opportunity, management believes there is opportunity to expand to a large global market, as International only represented 22% of net sales in 2024. 5.11 products are currently distributed in 120 countries across the globe with its market entry point being the Professional Wholesale Channel. Most countries outside the US are under-penetrated with limited distribution and select dealers only carrying a portion of available styles. As such, management believes there is significant opportunity for continued international expansion and plan to expand in EMEA, Mexico, Asia, Australia, and Canada. 5.11’s approach will be to build out each region uniquely based on the size of the opportunity and the complexity of conducting business in a particular country. This approach currently utilizes a mixture of Professional and Consumer wholesale channels, distributors, wholesale partner stores,
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third-party e-commerce sites as well as owned e-commerce websites and retail stores. To build this business 5.11 plans to leverage its third-party logistics facilities in Europe and China as well as its owned warehouses in Australia and the US for supply chain logistics. 5.11 believes there are additional opportunities to further expand internationally and plans to methodically continue the expansion of its business.
Business Strategies
Increase Brand Awareness and Grow the Passionate 5.11 Community - 5.11 has proven the profitability of its core product offerings and broad geographic relevance, while demonstrating clear brand authenticity and versatility. Though 5.11 is a brand and industry leader in the tactical and functional fitness communities, management believes it still has substantial room to grow through continuing to broaden its brand awareness. 5.11 has a large, growing community of deeply loyal consumers who share an authentic connection to the brand. 5.11 brand awareness is driven largely by its authentic association with public safety and the military, who rely on 5.11 gear for performance both on-duty and off-duty. To increase brand awareness, 5.11 designs and executes a variety of dynamic, high impact marketing strategies to engage existing consumers and reach new consumers, both domestically in the U.S. and internationally.
5.11 has built a community with major brand ambassadors and brand partners. 5.11 also partners with other leading brands across categories that reinforce 5.11’s authentic and premium branding while simultaneously engaging a broad and passionate customer base of potential 5.11 consumers. Through its deep relationships, history of mutually beneficial partnerships, community, and social education events such as “ABR Academies,” as well as its recognized leadership position, management believes 5.11 has become a partner of choice for influencers worldwide, leading to a significant competitive advantage. These marketing efforts deliver authentic, aspirational experiences and exclusive content that drive loyalty and engagement.
Continued Execution of Integrated Omnichannel Platform to Drive Disciplined Growth - Management believes 5.11 has built a solid omnichannel distribution strategy, comprised of a rapidly growing DTC channel, which includes its owned retail locations, proprietary website, and third-party marketplace partners like Amazon, and a recurring Wholesale channel, which encompasses 5.11's Professional Wholesale, Consumer Wholesale, and International business. Rather than taking the traditional channel approach to the business which management believes limits 5.11's potential, 5.11 enters trade areas with a tailored DTC and wholesale strategy for that market. To best serve its consumers’ needs and to profitably accelerate growth, 5.11 continues to make investments in its omnichannel distribution strategy. 5.11 continues to improve its website functionality as measured through strong site traffic, conversion and average order value. 5.11’s digital growth is complemented by the potential to expand its retail footprint. Currently, 5.11 has 122 physical stores, which represents an increase of 119 since 2015. Ultimately, the expansion of both channels presents an accessible near-term opportunity to accelerate growth and better serve evolving consumer preferences.
Leverage Innovation Capabilities to Continue Developing New Products - At its core, 5.11 is an innovator that prides itself on making purpose-built technical apparel, footwear and gear for all of life’s most demanding missions. Throughout its history, 5.11 developed a diverse product portfolio that has helped grow its brand to be an industry leader in both its Wholesale and DTC businesses. Through its product innovation, 5.11 developed brand affinity, built on the foundation of its strong professional business. By serving its Prosumer, 5.11 increased demand in its Everyday Consumer segment, creating a large whitespace for growth. Moving forward, 5.11 is looking to grow share of its consumers’ wardrobe with a continued focus on everyday and weekend wear. 5.11 built a foundation of infrastructure and processes that allows it to have shorter lead time on product and design. 5.11 will continue to refine this in order to accelerate growth and take market share in the consumer business through an expanded product portfolio. As 5.11 continues to scale, its broader consumer base allows it to reinvest resources back into its technical and functional expertise, further driving continued innovation for its professional consumers.
Disciplined International Expansion - Management believes 5.11 has an opportunity to expand the international business. as Prosumers internationally view U.S. first responders, military and public servants as being among the best in the world, and want the same apparel, footwear and gear that they use both on and off duty. 5.11’s international strategy parallels the success it has enjoyed in the U.S. by seeding the market through the Prosumer channels, which creates brand awareness and Everyday Consumer demand. 5.11 leverages its proven playbook to invest in international regions to grow its business. This strategy starts with the Professional Wholesale channel which establishes a profitable recurring revenue stream. As that grows, 5.11 builds a Consumer Wholesale channel and finally a DTC business is established in the most mature markets. While the strategic approach is consistent,
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each region is uniquely built based on the size of the opportunity and the complexity of conducting business in a particular country. 5.11’s ability to supply the same superior apparel, footwear and equipment to global markets allows it to expand its already profitable international business to Everyday Consumers living by the ABR mindset around the world.
Competitive Strengths
Authentic Global Lifestyle Brand with Passionate Following - Since inception, 5.11 has been a trusted brand by military, law enforcement, public safety, first responders and frontline workers and other service professionals around the world. No matter the mission or how demanding the environment, management believes 5.11 makes the apparel, footwear and gear of choice for professionals both on and off duty. This loyalty and trust, proven over decades from when the FBI Academy first adopted 5.11 pants in 1992, is a powerful tool. This stamp of approval from the elite professional community creates a brand halo effect that propels the Everyday Consumer business, allowing 5.11 to appeal to a broad range of consumers who embrace an active lifestyle, and who also appreciate 5.11 products’ superior technical performance for everyday use.
5.11’s loyal consumers act as brand advocates, proudly wearing branded 5.11 gear and displaying 5.11 banners, decals and patches. Management believes that 5.11's brand advocacy through social media or by word-of-mouth, coupled with its varied marketing efforts, has extended its appeal to the broader community. As 5.11 has expanded its product lines, and broadened its marketing messaging, it has cultivated an increasingly diverse audience of both men and women living throughout the United States and, increasingly, in international markets. Management believes 5.11's loyal customers, alongside its heritage of authenticity and high-quality product performance create such a strong connection to the 5.11 brand.
Deep Knowledge of Consumers Drives Product Development and Marketing - Management believe much of the 5.11 brand success is accredited to the loyalty of 5.11's consumers. 5.11 continuously strives to understand their evolving needs. Utilizing consumer insights through proprietary research, data, and analytics, 5.11 informs its product design and development teams to meet the demands and expectations of its loyal consumers. Having innovated closely with its Prosumers since 2003, 5.11 has a deep understanding and appreciation for the tactical issues they deal with daily. Seeing itself as problem-solvers first-and-foremost, 5.11 designs products that provide solutions to the obstacles they encounter while on duty, enhancing the daily regimens of its professional end-users. 5.11 consumers are passionate about their work and activities, and 5.11 matches that passion as it continuously strives to build functional, durable, and comfortable products. Not only is this insight helpful in product design and development, but also in outbound marketing efforts, both domestically and internationally. 5.11 supports and builds its brand through a fully integrated, high-impact marketing strategy which includes innovative and exclusive content, digital and social media, dedicated weekly Podcast, community-outreach, television and movie product placement and integrations, sponsorships, and local store activations and events that foster consumer engagement.
Purpose-Built, Innovation-Led and High-Quality Product Offering - 5.11’s DNA is readiness. 5.11 addresses the needs of elite professionals around the world, outfitting them with the top-quality gear and equipment necessary to complete their missions. From this powerful foundation, 5.11 develops products to both address the specific needs of these professionals and have broad appeal. The process for development starts with a rigorous analysis of the most important functional qualities for 5.11 Prosumers. 5.11 then engages with the broader community, along with industry and trade professionals, to help find specific voids in the market worth targeting. 5.11 uses this data and insights to develop head-to-toe assortments to serve its consumers holistically whether they are at the office, exercising, experiencing the outdoors, or simply embracing the ABR lifestyle in their daily lives.
5.11 delivers a comprehensive lineup that enables its customer to enjoy high-quality functionality without having to sacrifice lifestyle, comfort, or style. Management believes 5.11's ability to deliver this balance is a deep competitive advantage that is unrivaled and where most of its competitors have proven to be unsuccessful.
Scalable Infrastructure and High-Performance Team to Support Growth - In the past five years,5.11 has invested heavily to not only improve operating and fulfillment performance in its current growth phase, but also as a foundation to support continued future growth. 5.11’s investment has included implementing a variety of strategic and operational improvements, including hiring experienced senior executives, expanding its company owned retail stores, executing merchandising improvements, enhancing distribution and supply chain capabilities and implementing data-driven digital marketing campaigns. 5.11’s current infrastructure allows it to fulfill orders accurately and effectively across all channels, including making certain shipments direct from the source to bypass distribution centers, while still providing buffer capacity capabilities to support future expansion.
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Competition
5.11 competes in the global marketplace for purpose-built technical apparel, footwear and gear. Management believes 5.11 has competitive advantages through its global omnichannel business model, which is comprised of a rapidly growing DTC channel and recurring Wholesale channel. 5.11 competes against activewear, outdoor and specialty apparel brands such as Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Patagonia, Lululemon, Arc’teryx, Carhartt, Propper and Fecheimer Brothers. 5.11 competes with footwear brands such as Timberland, Bates and Danner, and with gear and bag brands such as Camelbak, Osprey and YETI. 5.11 also competes with specialty retailers such as REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Galls.
Suppliers
5.11 has built a supply chain that is optimized for its business, through which 5.11 controls the design, development and fulfillment of its products.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
5.11 does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. Instead, it chooses to contract with third-party suppliers for materials (fabric and trims) and manufacturers for finished goods. 5.11 partners with high-quality vendors and retains complete control of all intellectual property associated with its products. 5.11 product design, technical design and development teams work directly with its vendors to incorporate innovative materials that meet the high-quality product standards demanded by its customers. 5.11’s primary product specifications include characteristics like durability, protection, functionality, and comfort. 5.11 collaborates with leading fabric suppliers to develop fabrics that it ultimately trademarks for brand recognition whenever possible.
The materials used in 5.11 products are developed in partnership between its material vendors and its design, product development and sourcing teams, then sourced by its manufacturers from a limited number of pre-approved suppliers. To enhance efficiency and profitability, 5.11 recently adopted 3D design capabilities for virtual prototyping allowing it to make better and quicker decisions prior to creating physical prototypes. Additionally, 5.11 recently partnered with one of its apparel manufacturers to create a development center with dedicated resources to facilitate rapid prototyping.
All 5.11 products are manufactured by third-parties. 5.11 works with a group of 80+ vendors, 18 of which produced approximately 80% of its products in both 2024 and 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, approximately 39% of 5.11 products at cost were produced in Bangladesh, approximately 27% in Vietnam, and the remainder in China, Cambodia, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Africa, Central America and the United States. 5.11 does not have any long-term agreements requiring it to use any manufacturer, and no manufacturer is required to produce its products in the long term. 5.11 purchases from suppliers on a purchase order basis informed by capacity forecasts. 5.11 measures supplier performance through various performance indicators and partner closely with them to continually improve efficiency, cost, and quality. Management believes that 5.11's principal manufacturers have the additional capacity to accommodate future growth.
As a company devoted to the needs of public safety and mission-oriented professionals, 5.11 has developed secure relationships with a number of its vendors and take great care to ensure that they share its commitment to quality and ethics. Under its supplier agreements, suppliers must follow 5.11’s established product design specifications and quality assurance programs to meet specified standards. To ensure vendor reliability and quality, 5.11 has established a sourcing office in Hong Kong whose primary functions include vendor management, commercialization, product development, production planning, vendor compliance, and quality assurance.
5.11 requires its vendors to comply with its Vendor Code of Conduct relating to working conditions as well as certain environmental, employment and sourcing practices. 5.11 requires all vendors to contractually commit to upholding these standards. Additionally, in alignment with its values, 5.11 encourages its manufacturers to be certified through the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) program, which is an independent organization dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing. Once a vendor is part of 5.11’s production network, its in-house production team work together with third-party inspectors to closely monitor each partner’s compliance with applicable laws and standards on an ongoing basis.
5.11 regularly sources new suppliers and manufacturers to support its ongoing growth and carefully evaluates all new suppliers and manufacturers to ensure they share its standards for quality and integrity. To mitigate supplier concentration risk, 5.11 commercializes its top key items at multiple factories to ensure it can balance geographic
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risks as well as respond quickly to spikes in business. 5.11 also continuously seeks out additional suppliers and manufacturers to enable contingency plans that minimize disruptions, as well as support its future growth.
Distribution
5.11 leases and operates a distribution facility in Manteca, California to support its fulfillment needs across the Americas (North, Central & South). Additionally, 5.11 operates a small distribution facility in New South Wales, Australia to serve the Australia and New Zealand markets. 5.11 utilizes global third-party logistics providers to fulfill customer orders in EMEA and Asia-Pacific, which are located in Sweden and China, respectively. These third-party logistics providers manage all various distribution activities in their regional markets, including product receiving, storing, limited product inspection activities, and outbound shipping.
Intellectual Property
To establish and protect its proprietary rights, 5.11 relies on a combination of trademark (including trade dress), patent, design, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as contractual restrictions in license agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and other contracts. 5.11’s intellectual property is an important component of its business, and management believes that 5.11's know-how and continuing innovation are important to developing and maintaining its competitive position. Management also believes having distinctive marks that are readily identifiable on 5.11's products is an important factor in continuing to build its brand and distinguish its products. 5.11 considers the 5.11 name and logo, as well as the Beyond Clothing name and logo, trademarks, together with 107 issued and pending patents and 632 registered and pending trademarks, both in the United States and internationally, to be among its most valuable intellectual property assets.
Regulatory Environment
In the United States and the other jurisdictions in which 5.11 operates, it is subject to labor and employment laws, laws governing advertising, environmental and safety regulations, including those pertaining to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (collectively known as “PFAS”), and other laws, including consumer protection regulations that apply to the promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of fulfillment centers, anti-corruption laws and privacy, data security and data protection laws and regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, in the United States, the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 ("GDPR") in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, the U.K. GDPR and the United Kingdom Data Protection Act 2018 in the United Kingdom, and the Brazilian General Data Protection Law in Brazil, the ePrivacy Directive and national implementing and supplementing laws in the European Economic Area. Privacy and security laws, regulations, and other obligations are constantly evolving, may conflict with each other to complicate compliance efforts, and can result in investigations, proceedings, or actions that lead to significant civil and/or criminal penalties and restrictions on data processing. 5.11 products sold outside of the United States may be subject to tariffs, treaties, export compliance regulations and various trade agreements, as well as laws affecting the importation of consumer goods. 5.11 monitors changes in these laws and management believes that 5.11 is in material compliance with applicable laws. Failure to comply with these laws, where applicable, can result in the imposition of significant civil and/or criminal penalties and private litigation. A portion of sales generated by its International business is derived from sales to foreign government agencies, and management believes 5.11 is in material compliance with related applicable laws.
Human Capital
Mission-Driven, Innovative and Supportive Culture – From the beginning, 5.11’s company culture has always been focused on serving those who serve—military, law enforcement officers, public safety and first responders and frontline workers from around the world. The passion for serving these top professionals inspires 5.11 to extend serving its consumers into their everyday lives, to be prepared for whatever life throws their way. 5.11’s teams embrace its ABR mindset, and its core values allow 5.11 to attract passionate and motivated employees who are driven to succeed and share the vision of becoming “an iconic global brand rooted in innovating purpose-built gear for the most demanding missions while inspiring the world to always be ready.”
5.11’s work environment is open and collaborative, spanning a global organization from its headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA and offices in Hong Kong, Mexico, Sweden and Australia, to its distribution center in Manteca, CA, and to its U.S. retail stores. Its employees around the world are 5.11’s most valuable and important brand ambassadors. Their commitment to 5.11 and its mission, and their knowledge and passion for 5.11 products allows 5.11 to execute its company strategy and strengthens its brand loyalty. Additionally, 5.11 store employees are critical to 5.11’s
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success and often represent members of its communities, with many of them retired military, law enforcement officers and first responders.
5.11 prides itself in its ability to work directly with top professionals around the world, innovating to solve their greatest needs in the most mission-critical settings. 5.11 maintains a global footprint, with employees working in thirty-three states and eighteen countries. At December 31, 2024, 5.11 had 1073 full-time employees and 260 part-time employees. 5.11 strives to create a welcoming and caring environment across the entire organization and celebrate the passion its team members bring forward in serving its consumers. 5.11 believes it has created a company culture focused on attracting, retaining, and developing talent, which enables it to exceed consumers’ expectations and meet its growth objectives. 5.11 prioritizes building a diverse, inclusive, equitable and supportive team that is driven by creativity and purposeful innovation.
BOA
Overview
BOA, creator of the revolutionary, award-winning, patented BOA Fit System, partners with market-leading brands to make the best gear even better. Delivering fit solutions purpose-built for performance, the BOA Fit System is featured in footwear across snow sports, cycling, outdoor, athletic, workwear as well as performance headwear and bracing. The system consists of three integral parts: a micro-adjustable dial, high-tensile lightweight laces, and low friction lace guides creating a superior alternative to laces, buckles, Velcro, and other traditional closure mechanisms. Each unique BOA configuration is designed with brand partners to deliver superior fit and performance for athletes, is engineered to perform in the toughest conditions and is backed by The BOA Lifetime Guarantee. BOA is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has offices in Austria, China, South Korea, and Japan.
History of BOA
BOA was founded in 2001 by Gary Hammerslag, a snowboarder, surfer, and entrepreneur. Gary moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the mid-90’s after successfully selling his previous company, which created innovative catheter solutions that improved angioplasty procedure speed and effectiveness. After arriving in Steamboat Springs and frequently snowboarding, Gary envisioned a possibility to dramatically improve the fit and performance of snowboard boots by applying elements of his learnings in the medical device field. Gary developed a fit system as an alternative to traditional laces for snowboard boots and partnered with K2 and Vans to launch the first BOA-equipped snowboard boots to consumers in the winter of 2001. After a successful launch, BOA became widely adopted on snowboard boots.
BOA’s next phase of growth was largely in the outdoor sporting and recreation markets. In 2005, BOA expanded its focus to hiking and trail-related footwear, followed by cycling and golf in 2006 and hunting and fishing in 2007, at which point BOA surpassed 1 million users worldwide. From 2008 to 2011, having gained credibility in consumer markets, BOA introduced products for the workwear footwear market as well as products for the medical bracing market. In 2013, the company entered the running market, followed by court sports and training in 2019.
In 2019, BOA launched its state-of-the-art Performance Fit Lab ("PFL") to quantitatively measure the impact of BOA-equipped performance footwear with elite athletes. The PFL’s purpose is to push the limits of athlete performance through superior fit, performance and user experience by testing, refining and improving products in collaboration with BOA’s brand partners. BOA has conducted thousands of individual performance tests since the lab opening.
In 2023, BOA successfully launched alpine downhill ski boots. The expansion into new industries and geographies coupled with the scientifically proven performance improvements has resulted in BOA surpassing 31 million users worldwide in 2024.
We purchased a majority interest in BOA on October 16, 2020.
Industry
BOA participates in the global performance footwear, helmet and bracing markets representing an addressable market of 800+ million units sold annually in over 40 countries. The addressable market includes Snowsports (Alpine Ski, Snowboarding, and Cross-Country boots plus Helmets), Athletic (Golf, Court Sports, Running, and Training footwear), Outdoor (Trail, Hiking, Trekking, and Mountaineering boots/shoes), Cycling (Footwear and Helmets), Workwear (Footwear and Helmets), and Bracing. BOA partners with the leading premier brands to
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integrate their system into their best gear.Management estimates the company currently has approximately 4% share within its addressable market.
Products, Customers and Distribution Channels
Products
The BOA Fit System consists of a durable lace, which is guided by low-friction guides and attached to a dial that is typically mounted on the footwear heel, tongue, or eye-stay for micro-adjustability to enhance performance fit. BOA’s current product portfolio has seven platforms, H+, H, M+, M, L+, L and S-Series, which vary in cost, weight, tension, and use case. Each dial design can be customized with numerous color choices allowing the product to fit cohesively with each brand partners’ specific designs and colorways.
All platforms share the distinctive characteristics that differentiate BOA from competing offerings: micro-adjustability to achieve the perfect fit, measurable performance benefits validated by the company’s PFL, durability and quality proven in extensive field testing, a lifetime guarantee on the end-product’s dial and laces, and the distinctive BOA sound heard when turning the dial.
Each platform is designed and engineered to address the specific performance fit needs of the end user by use case. Factors such as size and shape of dial, level of torque, internal mechanics, and weight vary amongst platforms, and each platform is further segmented into product collections that differ in aesthetic, optimal placement on the shoe, and cost. Within each product collection, dial designs and materials differ to accommodate preferences of the end user and retail price points of the end product.
Customers and Distribution Channels
BOA has approximately 300 global brand partners, including leading footwear companies such as Adidas, ASICS, Yonex, New Balance, Marucci, Specialized, Shimano, Fizik, Trek, Fox, Burton, La Sportiva, K2, Vans, Salomon, Atomic, Fischer, Scarpa, Black Yak, Ecco, Fila, Scott, FootJoy, Sievi, Red Wing, Timberland, Ariat, Strauss and Jalas who feature BOA systems across a variety of sporting and professional industries including snow sports, cycling, outdoor, athletic, workwear and bracing. BOA typically sells directly to the manufacturing partner responsible for final assembly of the brand partner’s product. BOA works with 500+ brand partner factories with limited revenue concentration. Most brand partner factories are located in Asia, primarily in China and Vietnam, and are in relatively close proximity to BOA’s supply chain.
Rather than being solely an OEM part supplier, BOA actively collaborates with its brand partners to create innovative, performance-driven footwear, helmets and bracing. BOA contributes substantial design and testing resources to ensure its system is used in a way that maximizes performance based on dial placement and configuration. The BOA Fit System is not simply a “lace replacement” or plug and play option, but rather a solution that must be integrated into each product model through a 6-18 month development cycle to create an application that works specifically with a product’s unique structural design. This process allows BOA to ensure brand image consistency, end product quality and the best performance fit.
Footwear and headwear products featuring BOA systems are primarily sold through brick-and-mortar sporting goods retailers, specialty sport retailers, online retailers, or brand partners’ owned retail and online channels. Management estimates that end consumption of BOA products is geographically diverse, with approximately 10% of products consumed in North America, 30% in Europe, and 60% in Asia.
One individual customer represented approximately 10%, 11% and 13% of BOA's net revenues in 2024, 2023 and 2022. No other individual customer or brand partner factory represented greater than 10% of BOA’s net revenues in 2024, 2023 or 2022. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, BOA had approximately $23.0 million and $16.1 million in order backlog, respectively.
Business Strategies and Competitive Strengths
Business Strategies
Continued Share Growth in Established Industries - BOA has established a strong presence in certain core industries globally including cycling and snowboarding. BOA has established strong positions in the workwear industry in Europe, outdoor industry in Korea, and the athletic industry in Japan and China. The company achieved approximately 15% model count growth consistent with BOA's long-term expectations.
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Going forward, BOA intends to continue to build its brand partner relationships to expand penetration and capture additional share in growing markets such as workwear in North America and Asia and outdoor/athletic in Europe and North America, and Alpine Ski globally. BOA has developed industry specific products to better cater to the individual dynamics of each market. Through its reputation in the marketplace, athlete endorsements and deep relationships with leading brand partners, the company is focused on delivering the performance benefits of the BOA Fit System across an expanding set of industries and geographies.
Expand into Pioneering Categories - BOA has identified several adjacent segments including mountaineering/trekking/trail, and court sports such as tennis and badminton, which management believes are well suited to benefit from the performance fit that BOA delivers. BOA is actively working with leading brand partners to develop sport-specific footwear configurations that can benefit from the advantages of the BOA Fit System. By leveraging BOA’s brand equity and proven solutions, the company believes there is significant whitespace to increase penetration in these early adoption segments.
Competitive Strengths
Culture of Innovation and New Product Development - Management believes that there is a significant opportunity to continue advancing product offerings through its commitment to innovation. Product development and innovation are divided amongst (i) BOA’s internal innovation and evolution of its fit systems and platforms, refining and improving on the aesthetics, durability, user experience, and price/value, (ii) the design and engineering collaboration that BOA engages in with its brand partners for project and application-specific needs, and (iii) BOA’s advanced research through its PFL, which is transforming markets through innovative performance fit solutions that are scientifically tested and validated.
Deep Collaborative Partnerships – BOA has deep partnerships with the premier brands in every industry they compete within.They collaborate throughout the entire product lifecycle process, including product strategy, design and development, factory operational/service support, retail education, consumer warranty support, and marketing/demand creation.BOA has a high partner retention rate due to the depth and value of the relationships.
Premium Brand Position - BOA is focused on continuing to build awareness around its aspirational, global brand through content leadership, athlete endorsements, paid media, brand partner affiliations, retail engagement/ education and other business. BOA primarily increases awareness through direct-to-consumer marketing and co-marketing with its established brand partner relationships. BOA leverages athlete endorsements to further establish its positioning as a performance fit leader as well as drive cross-segment brand awareness. The company's tag line and positioning “Dialed in Precision Fit" showcases athletes performing at their peak both physically and mentally. BOA also relies on its trusted brand partners to increase BOA brand awareness. The company focuses its efforts on collaborating with brand partners who are innovative market leaders that meet BOA’s brand standards and align with BOA’s positioning as a high-performance, premium brand.
Technology Leader with Robust Patent Portfolio – BOA is a leader in performance fit innovation and has built a diverse global portfolio of issued and pending utility and design patents. Throughout BOA’s history, the company has continually innovated on dial attributes including quick release, durability, manufacturing ease, and micro adjustability, in addition to integrated lace and lace guide designs and configurations critical to imparting precision fit and reduced friction. BOA’s engineering and technical expertise enables the development and production of performance fit solutions, allowing their brand partners to offer performance enhancing technology and product differentiation.
Competition
BOA’s competition can be segmented into three categories: established footwear brands that maintain their own proprietary technology for particular market segments, lower-quality subscale BOA imitators, and non-mechanical lace alternatives (bungies, buckles, plastic lace locks, Velcro, and webbing). Management estimates that BOA is 10+ times the size of its next closest direct competitor.
Research and Development
BOA’s approach to new product development is a multi-stage, cross-functional process. For each new product introduction, BOA works closely with brand partners to identify or develop the best suited BOA solution, its optimal placement on the shoe (or other application), color and design specifications, and cost targets. On existing products, BOA is committed to continuous innovation, including key improvements such as lower installation costs
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for brand partner factories, thinner and sleeker product profiles for improved aesthetics, in field warranty rate reduction to approximately 0.5%, improved user experience, and the broadening of the platform suite to address key opportunities in alpine skiing, outdoor and helmets.
As part of BOA’s innovation strategy around improving fit, the company has invested in a state-of-the-art PFL to quantitatively measure the impact of the BOA system on end products. The PFL is testing a significant number of products to evaluate Stability and Control, Power Transfer and Energy Efficiency. By addressing these global performance attributes rather than segment-by-segment specific needs, PFL findings will be relevant and applicable across BOA’s product lines. The results of these studies help further validate BOA’s value proposition, strengthening the company’s position as a fit and performance leader. Moreover, the PFL serves as a platform to test and refine new product offerings ahead of launch.
Suppliers
BOA maintains a longstanding deep relationship with a sole supplier for plastic injected parts (dial units and lace guides), representing approximately 70% of total purchases. The vendor is based in China with multiple facilities and established a new facility in Vietnam, diversifying its geographical footprint in 2024. Furthermore, the vendor has supplied the company since 2001 and has continuously invested in its tools and infrastructure to maintain quality standards and keep up with demand. BOA owns all its injection molds. Lastly, the vendor is also a minority shareholder in BOA and is committed to supporting its growth. The remainder of BOA’s purchases are for steel and steel coated lace, textile laces and guides, monofilament lace and webbing, which are sourced from China, Korea, Europe, Thailand, and the Philippines. Management believes its manufacturing partners have sufficient capacity to accommodate future growth.
Intellectual Property
BOA has built a diverse global patent portfolio of 293 issued and pending utility patents and 168 issued and pending designs. The company currently has 47 active patent “families” as well as 31 active design “families” with intellectual property covering its core technology (dials, guides, laces), as well as strategic configurations and component installation methods. BOA maintains 18 registered and pending trademarks protecting 14 unique marks, with core marks filed in 40+ countries.
Seasonality
Due to the diversity of industries and geographies BOA participates in, there is no significant seasonality to the business.
Environmental, Social and Governance
As a forward-looking company, BOA sustainability efforts include minimizing impact on the environment, elevating the experience of staff throughout our supply chain, and working with community partners to diversify and promote access throughout Outdoor and STEM industries. BOA is working to reduce the use of virgin fossil fuel-based plastics, reduce overall manufacturing waste, and materially decrease our use of fossil-based energy. The company has made tangible progress in all three areas. BOA has formed partnerships with organizations across each region of operation focused on providing more access and opportunities to under-represented populations and protecting the environment. Through these programs BOA is working to create purposeful connections to their employees, partners, and consumers – bringing their mission, values, and products to the hearts and minds of their audience.
Human Capital
BOA is an inclusive global team that trusts and cares for each other, their partners, the community, and the environment. Since their launch in Steamboat Springs, CO in 2001, BOA has maintained a strong and healthy company culture that is rooted in a passion for pioneering, and for making the best gear even better. As the team has expanded over the last 24 years, BOA has placed an emphasis on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse and talented team. BOA employees are located in four countries and the United States. As of December 31, 2024, BOA had 266 full-time employees and 5 part-time employees. 140 employees are located in the United States and 131 work outside of the United States in Austria, China, Japan, and South Korea.
BOA is focused on providing greater access to careers and the outdoors, and providing BOA talent with opportunities to grow within the organization - providing career exposure programs, learning and development opportunities, targeted individual career plans, and building leadership development across all levels of the
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organization. BOA maintains a high employee retention rate and the leadership team strives to role model our values.
Lugano
Overview
Lugano is a leading designer, manufacturer, and retailer of high-end jewelry. Lugano utilizes an extensive network of suppliers to procure high-quality diamonds and rare gemstones. Often taking inspiration directly from the stone, Lugano designs and creates one-of-a-kind jewelry that it sells to a broad base of clients. Lugano conducts sales via its own retail salons as well as pop-up showrooms at Lugano-hosted or sponsored events in partnership with influential organizations in the equestrian, art, and philanthropic communities. Lugano is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.
History of Lugano
Established in 2004 by Moti and Idit Ferder, Lugano takes its name from the picturesque Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland, often described as a unique "gemstone of nature,” nestled amidst the Lugano Prealps mountains. The first retail salon opened its doors in 2005 in Newport Beach, California, adopting an exclusive appointment-only model. Situated across from the upscale Fashion Island shopping center in Orange County, the salon rapidly expanded, providing a crucial validation of Lugano's tailored retail strategy. Over the subsequent years, Lugano strategically opened three additional retail salons in Aspen, Colorado; Palm Beach, Florida; and Ocala, Florida, all employing its distinctive high-touch sales approach to broaden its presence in key destinations favored by its target demographic. In 2008, the company initiated an equestrian division, concentrating on the Southeastern United States to complement its retail sales efforts. Today, Lugano is a prominent sponsor of various equestrian events and remains a dedicated supporter of equestrian-related causes.
Throughout its history, Lugano has focused on building strong relationships with influential social and philanthropic organizations in the local communities surrounding its retail salons. In Aspen, Colorado, Lugano frequently collaborates with esteemed organizations like the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Museum of Art, hosting private dinners and events as part of its event-based marketing strategy.
In 2020, Lugano bolstered its production capabilities by constructing an in-house workshop, enhancing production efficiencies, and gaining greater control over its premium gemstone inventory. In 2022, Lugano marked the opening of a new retail salon in Houston, Texas, and relocated its original Newport Beach location to become Lugano's flagship salon in the prestigious Fashion Island shopping center. The expansion continued in 2023 with new retail salons in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. Additionally, the company introduced Privé, an exclusive private social club designed for Lugano clients. Located in Newport Beach, with additional locations in the pipeline, Privé is the culmination of Lugano’s years of community building and exceptional experience curation. 2024 introduced the next chapter for Lugano with its first international retail salon in London, England.
Today, Lugano's distinctive go-to-market strategy, unique designs, vertical integration, and cultivated client network stand as crucial differentiators in the competitive high-end jewelry market.
We purchased a majority interest in Lugano on September 3, 2021.
Sales and Distribution
Products
Lugano designs, manufactures, and retails high-end jewelry including unique rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches that range in price from under $1,000 to well over seven figures, with an average price of approximately $450,000 per retail transaction in 2024. Lugano’s designers start with a rare stone as inspiration and craft jewelry that highlights the beauty and perceived value of the stone. As a result, Lugano’s pieces are often seen as one-of-a-kind works of art, creating a highly desirable niche in the broader jewelry marketplace. Competitors’ products are typically high volume or collection-based jewelry lines that are inherently less unique or exclusive – traits highly valued by Lugano’s clientele.
Customers
Lugano’s client base generally consists of sophisticated, high-net-worth individuals who value long-standing relationships and a personalized sales approach over one-time purchases and the high-pressure sales tactics used
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by other jewelry competitors. A typical Lugano client is community and relationship-driven and seeks unique products with emotional significance. The purchasers or recipients of Lugano pieces are predominantly women and often leaders in their respective communities. Lugano’s clients can range in age from 25 to over 80 and come from all over the nation, with most based in California, followed by Florida, New York, Texas, and Colorado, along with international clientele, primarily in the United Kingdom.
Lugano’s retail revenue is diversified with no customer representing greater than 10% of total revenue in 2024. Management also believes its client relationships are significantly stickier than those of other jewelry retailers. Lugano enjoys a growing percentage of repeat business year-over-year, with repeat customers contributing an increasing percentage of revenue. Beyond its retail business, Lugano also sells loose diamonds via its wholesale division representing approximately 3% of Lugano’s revenue in 2024.
Distribution
Lugano goes to market via retail salons in Newport Beach, California, Palm Beach, Florida, Aspen, Colorado, Houston, Texas, Ocala, Florida, Washington DC, Greenwich, Connecticut and London, England. All Lugano salons are strategically located in wealthy regions or near popular vacation and up-scale shopping destinations frequented by Lugano’s target clientele. In a salon, Lugano aims for an elegant and private ambience to facilitate its high-touch sales approach. Salons are carefully laid out, enabling Lugano to host private dinners, parties, or other social events. Unlike other jewelers that highlight their jewelry with long, rectangular counters that separate the customer from the salesperson, Lugano decorates its salons with curved tables and couches designed to facilitate comfort, relationship-building, and ease of conversation. Lugano also markets and sells jewelry via pop-up showrooms at Lugano-hosted or sponsored events or in the homes of its clients.
Market Trends, Business Strategies and Competition
Market Trends
Lugano competes broadly in the personal luxury goods market, a portion of the overall global luxury market. Lugano currently has very low penetration (<1%) within its target market of high-net-worth individuals. Lugano’s addressable client base has been steadily increasing for over a decade to an estimated 290,000 individuals worldwide, mirroring the growth seen in their combined net worth, which increased to over $35 trillion. As a result, management believes there is significant runway for additional growth by expanding brand awareness and household penetration.
Business Strategies
Lugano believes it is well-positioned to emerge as a leading domestic and international luxury brand. Lugano’s key growth opportunities include expanding its geographic footprint across target markets, domestically and internationally, growing the number of events it hosts, and branching into activities beyond equestrian sports that similarly attract wealthy participants.
Competition
The luxury jewelry market is highly fragmented with the leading six to seven companies accounting for approximately 20% of the market. LVMH, with brands like Tiffany, Bvlgari and Chaumet; Richemont with brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; Graff Diamonds; and Harry Winston lead the market. These competitors often utilize a traditional retail model focused on foot traffic and tourism, are typically collection-based, and do not exclusively focus on the high-end segment of the jewelry market. The remaining portion of the market consists of national retail brands and small or midsize players that operate regionally or in an online-only format.
Competitive Strengths
Sourcing, Design and Production Capabilities
A deep network of international vendors enables the company to source rare and difficult-to-find stones. These stones are then combined with the world-class capabilities of Lugano designers who create sought-after masterpieces that cater to the company’s target clientele. Lugano’s in-house production workshop or close network of captive workshops provide increased production efficiencies, improved control over its inventory and better speed to market.
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High-touch Retail Model
Lugano’s one-of-a-kind inventory requires a unique and high-touch sales strategy which the company has cultivated over its nearly 20-year history. The company’s retail experience is carefully curated, emphasizing both exclusivity and elegance, both critical to the sale of Lugano jewelry.
Event-based Marketing Strategy
Lugano sponsors over three hundred events each year, enabling the company to meet prospective clients and reconnect with existing clients that have become loyal and repeat purchasers. In each market that Lugano enters, management takes great care to establish itself as part of the local community and become a focal point for its clients’ lifestyles and activities. Through its efforts, Lugano invests in relationships which build brand value and customer loyalty. Lugano-sponsored events are often a client’s gateway into the Lugano community (management estimates over 80% of clients are initially contacted at Lugano-sponsored events). Once a part of the Lugano community, customers tend to view jewelry purchases from Lugano as recurring events and often increase the size of their purchase from their previous transaction.
Sourcing and Availability of Materials
Lugano sources diamonds and precious gemstones from a variety of vendors and wholesalers. Generally, Lugano sources polished diamonds and gemstones that are crafted into a Lugano-designed piece. From time to time, Lugano also opportunistically acquires finished jewelry with a high resale value from its global network of vendors. Most of Lugano’s diamonds are sourced from domestic wholesalers. By not purchasing raw stones directly from mines, Lugano limits conflict diamond exposure. Lugano ensures all its diamond vendors adhere to the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to prevent conflict diamonds from entering its supply chain. Lugano’s vendor base is diversified with no vendor typically making up more than 10% of total purchases in most years. Lugano maintains decade-long and trusted relationships with its top vendors.
Seasonality
While individual retail salons experience some seasonality (e.g., winter in Aspen, summer in Newport Beach), these patterns offset one another at the company-level, with some emphasis on sales around the holidays in the fourth quarter. Additionally, due to the variety of events Lugano hosts all-year-round, there is no significant seasonality in the business, although the fourth quarter is typically the highest revenue quarter in each year due to the holiday sales.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, Lugano employed a non-union labor force of 171 full-time employees. 79 employees work in sales and marketing, 23 work in acquisition, design & production, 31 work in operations, 27 work at Privé, with the remainder in corporate and administration. 10 of Lugano's employees are based in the United Kingdom. Lugano intends to continue to grow its headcount and build out its middle management as it executes on its growth strategy of new salon openings, increased event-based marketing, and international expansion. Management believes Lugano's relationship with its employees is good.
PrimaLoft
Overview
Headquartered in Latham, New York, PrimaLoft is a leading provider of branded, high-performance synthetic insulation used primarily in consumer outerwear and accessories. PrimaLoft was developed in 1983 as a division of Albany International Corporation (NYSE: AIN) in response to a U.S. Army request to develop a synthetic insulation for soldiers that replicated the warmth and weight characteristics of traditional goose down, but also remained warm when wet. Today, PrimaLoft’s products span a wide variety of highly engineered insulation fibers and gels that are used as ingredients for premium priced outdoor apparel (e.g., jackets, vests, pants, gloves, footwear, and hats) and home furnishings (e.g., comforters and pillows). PrimaLoft is differentiated based on its (i) leadership in synthetic insulation technology and sustainability, (ii) respected brand, (iii) robust product development and service model critical to brand partners, and (iv) respected legacy and high esteem with product design teams of aspirational brands. Most brand partners do not possess the same depth of internal expertise in synthetic insulation design and view PrimaLoft as an innovation and sustainability partner that enhances the parent brand in a manner consistent with increasingly eco-focused brand missions.
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History of PrimaLoft
PrimaLoft was originally founded in 1983 after being approached by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Natick, Massachusetts. The U.S. Army was primarily interested in a synthetic insulation that would be comparable to goose down in weight, compressibility, and warmth, while also retaining heat in the presence of moisture. PrimaLoft was awarded its first patent for a “synthetic down” originally branded as PrimaLoft ONE in 1986. After initial success with military applications including sleeping bags and clothing systems, PrimaLoft entered the commercial market through partnerships with name brands like L.L. Bean, Land’s End, and Ralph Lauren. PrimaLoft quickly established its credibility for performance and quality and today continues to drive innovation within the synthetic insulation industry. A summary of key milestones in the Company’s history is below:
•1989: L.L. Bean and Ralph Lauren become the first brand partners
•1990: PrimaLoft was used in the layering system for the Mount Everest Peace Climb
•1997: Developed first design using post-consumer recycled material
•2012: Separation from Albany International into a standalone company through a management buyout
•2017: Release of i) ThermoPlume, the most advanced, 100% recycled, down-like synthetic insulation alternative and ii) Aerogel technology, a lightweight, compression-resistant insulation composed of more than 95% air
•2018: Developed first-ever biodegradable, 100% recycled synthetic insulation and fabric cross-product capabilities
•2019: Breakthrough development of P.U.R.E. manufacturing technology, a proprietary process of synthetic insulation that reduces carbon emissions by up to 70%
•2020: Launch of Patagonia Nano-Puff with PrimaLoft P.U.R.E. technology
•2021: Launch of Aerogel Footwear with Canada Goose
•2021: PrimaLoft Bio recognized as the winner of Drapers Sustainable Fashion Award
We acquired a majority interest in PrimaLoft on July 12, 2022.
Industry
PrimaLoft participates in the global insulation market for both apparel and bedding, which is estimated to encompass over $30 billion of annual spending. Within the overall insulation market, PrimaLoft competes primarily in premium positioned products where consumers value performance and sustainability.
Products, Customers and Distribution Channels
Products
PrimaLoft’s core product offering includes a wide range of insulation product types that are optimized to keep end consumers at a comfortable temperature, regardless of weather conditions. At the top end of the product range, PrimaLoft’s technically focused brand partners design each new outwear garment with specific performance goals or use cases in mind and aim to deliver the highest levels of warmth while also reducing product weight and maximizing product flexibility. PrimaLoft also delivers a broader menu of solutions to its brand partners that can address any product designer’s aesthetic vision (e.g., quilted/non-quilted, high/low loft, loose fill/batted rolls, etc.). PrimaLoft has been an early advocate of apparel sustainability, becoming the exclusive partner to some of the largest and most pioneering sustainability focused outdoor brands when they first undertook meaningful sustainability initiatives. Additionally, under its “Relentlessly Responsible” mantra, PrimaLoft has innovated low-emission manufacturing processes, incorporated high levels of recycled content into its product lineup, and continues to push the boundaries of apparel circularity via biodegradation and carbon-negative technologies. The ability of PrimaLoft’s product suite to address any and all brand partner goals, whether performance, aesthetic, or sustainability related, is a critical reason for PrimaLoft’s consistent market leadership in synthetic insulation over the past four decades.
Customers and Distribution Channels
PrimaLoft primarily works directly with over 900 active brand partners across North America, Europe, and Asia. PrimaLoft maintains highly collaborative relationships with its brand partners, visiting most several times per year to introduce new innovations, generate new product ideas, and assist with integrating the latest PrimaLoft technologies into their outerwear lineups. The process of designing a jacket usually begins about 18 months before the jacket is
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intended to be sold at retail. PrimaLoft sales team members and engineers engage early in the process, assisting with garment design, construction, and analysis of key insulation performance attributes. After several rounds of sampling and iterating with PrimaLoft, the brand partner will finalize product bill of materials and quantities for its lineup. Outerwear featuring PrimaLoft is primarily sold through brick-and-mortar sporting goods retailers, specialty sport retailers, online retailers, or brand partners’ owned retail and online channels.
PrimaLoft had approximately $13.8 million and $13.3 million, respectively, in firm backlog orders at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Business Strategies and Competitive Conditions
Business Strategies
Accelerate the Market Trends Away from Down Insulation - With the introduction of ThermoPlume and other down-like synthetic insulation solutions, PrimaLoft is well positioned to continue gaining market share as customers shift away from down insulation. This change is being driven by the following factors: (i) consumer pushback on traditional down products due to the widespread and well-publicized inhumane down harvesting practices; (ii) narrowing performance gap between synthetic and down; (iii) volatility and notably higher pricing for down insulation tied to commodity pricing of goose and duck meat; and (iv) limited design flexibility and loss of efficacy in wet conditions for down insulation makes synthetic more attractive to product designers.
Continued Development of Cutting Edge Insulation Technology - Over the past four decades, PrimaLoft has continuously improved its product offering to remain a technology leader in synthetic insulation. With strong continued investment in new product development, we expect PrimaLoft innovations to push the boundaries of material science and expand the value provided to end consumers.
Competitive Strengths
PrimaLoft’s competitive advantages include: (i) four decades of brand equity built on technology leadership, that allows brand partners to command premium pricing and tell their sustainability story; (ii) deep insulation-specific material science expertise ranging from polymer innovation to manufacturing innovation to design integration; (iii) protected intellectual property and a proprietary supply chain; (iv) trusted long standing brand partner relationships for a critical but relatively small cost component of the overall product; and (v) scale (demand aggregation) to gain efficiencies at both the fiber and toll manufacturing stages of the supply chain.
Competition
PrimaLoft’s competition falls into two categories: (i) brand partner house insulation brands; and (ii) other third-party insulation manufacturers that service more than one outerwear brand. PrimaLoft is believed to be the largest third-party branded synthetic insulation provider to the apparel industry.
Research and Development
PrimaLoft adheres to a “Stage Gate” approach for developing new products, beginning with market needs and potential product solutions. PrimaLoft gathers market intelligence from published market research, industry contacts, R&D alliances and its internal product strategy and technical team to identify and develop innovative ideas to address market needs. Once defined, the team progresses through a series of “Stage Gates” that begin with innovation readiness and ultimately end with commercialized PrimaLoft branded products. In between, the “Stage Gates” address product testing and quality validation against internal and external requirements, supply chain sourcing and manufacturing, pricing constructs, marketing assets and selling strategy to address global market needs.
Suppliers
PrimaLoft leverages an asset-lite production model, relying on a global network of third-party chemical suppliers, extruders, and fiber mills strategically located near brand partner production facilities throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. PrimaLoft’s vertically integrated supply chain is a competitive advantage, allowing for customized solutions to brand partners. Beginning at the polymer level, PrimaLoft possesses expertise in optimizing enhanced performance polymers. At the fiber extrusion level, PrimaLoft has the ability to innovate and create novel fibers, which are then used as inputs to the textile process. PrimaLoft provides fiber requirements and formulations to its network of exclusive manufacturing partners, who then directly receive raw materials ordered by PrimaLoft.
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PrimaLoft oversees the manufacturing partner insulation production process, often with visits to facilities and continuous testing to ensure all insulation produced meets the performance and sustainability standards. Once produced, the manufacturing partners ship insulation to brand partner manufacturing facilities, often located near the toll manufacturer in Europe or Asia. The brand partner manufacturer then produces the final product before it is shipped back to the brand partner, to a retailer, or direct to a consumer.
Intellectual Property
In addition to its brand, customer relationships and scale, PrimaLoft also makes use of product patents and process trade secrets as additional barriers to entry and competitive moats. As a leader in synthetic insulation PrimaLoft has built a patent portfolio of more than 11 issued and pending patents in the United States and more than 70 patents issued internationally. In addition, PrimaLoft uses a variety of trade secrets typically covering specific insulation manufacturing processes. Lastly, PrimaLoft has more than 50 registered and pending trademarks globally.
Seasonality
Due to the nature of insulated outerwear and the concentration of spending in the northern hemisphere, PrimaLoft typically sees approximately 65% of sales in the first half of the calendar year, which is when brand partners order components to be used in cold weather apparel that will be sold to end consumers in the subsequent fall/winter.
Human Capital
PrimaLoft had 75 employees on December 31, 2024, 70 full-time employees and 5 part-time employees, with 38 employees located within the United States, 27 in China and the remainder in Europe and Vietnam. PrimaLoft's labor force is non-union. Management believes that PrimaLoft has a good relationship with its employees.
The Honey Pot Co.
Overview