BDA advises Shimano on sale of PEARL iZUMi to United Sports Brands

BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, Shimano North America Holding, has sold PEARL iZUMi USA, an iconic manufacturer & retailer of cycling apparel & accessories, to United Sports Brands (“USB”), a global leader in sports performance & protective products. USB is a portfolio company of Bregal Partners, a private equity firm. PEARL iZUMi will join USB’s portfolio of protective & performance sports equipment sold under the Shock Doctor, McDavid, Cutters, NATHAN, and Glukos brands.
 
PEARL iZUMi was founded in Tokyo in 1950 and entered the US market during the 1980s cycling boom. In 1989, four investors in Boulder, CO, bought the rights to build a US-based PEARL iZUMi brand, leveraging technology & fabrics from the original company in Japan. Since then, the brand has grown to be the market leader in cycling apparel in the US, widely distributed across Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2008, PEARL iZUMi was acquired by Shimano, a leading Japanese multinational manufacturer of cycling components, fishing tackle and rowing equipment. The brand has since realized significant US & international growth, driven by its core road cycling apparel category, and by emerging categories such as mountain bike, casual apparel, and footwear. 
 
PEARL iZUMi has become a leader in corporate social responsibility, with 90% of products now made from sustainable materials and a goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025. As part of the USB platform, PEARL iZUMi will be extremely well-positioned to capitalize on these tailwinds and continue to build its attractive market position.
 
“This is an exciting time for PEARL iZUMi,” said Geoff Shaffer, President of PEARL iZUMi. “We have tremendous momentum and an amazing team that’s dedicated to continuing to grow the brand to new heights. Shimano has provided significant support and guidance throughout its ownership, and while we will miss being part of Team Shimano, we also know there is great future potential for the brand and look forward to continuing to grow our business with USB.”
 
“Shimano has worked hard to support and build up the PEARL iZUMi brand for our retailers and the consumer alike,” says Nolan Moser, Vice President, Bicycle Division from Shimano North American Bicycle, Inc. “We believe that United Sports Brands will be able to further this growth and we are committed to supporting our retail partners throughout the transition to ensure continued success at all levels.”
 
“We are very pleased to welcome PEARL iZUMi into the United Sports Brands family,” said USB’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Magerman. “PEARL iZUMi is an iconic, authentic, and much- loved brand that is strongly aligned with our current portfolio of brands at USB. Their culture of driving innovation and best-in-class product development – always with a “consumer-first” mindset – is consistent with our strategy at United Sports Brands. We intend to continue that product innovation and leadership under our stewardship. The addition of PEARL iZUMi, along with our running apparel and accessory company, NATHAN, makes us a formidable player in the outdoor space. We see great opportunity for continued organic growth and expansion in this segment of the market.”
      
Euan Rellie, Managing Partner, BDA Partners, said: “We’re happy to have advised Shimano, a global champion from Japan, and to help position PEARL iZUMi for the next phase of its growth, in this landmark transaction. The deal reflects BDA’s strength in the Consumer sector, and ability to navigate the complexities of cross-border transactions.”
 
PEARL iZUMi remains committed to partnering with leading retailers in North America, including independent bike dealers and national outdoor retailers, to ensure that the brand is available wherever cycling consumers prefer to shop.
 
PEARL iZUMi will operate with the support of Shimano for a transition period to meet the needs of retailers and maintain the business as planned.
 
BDA Partners and Squire Patton Boggs represented Shimano. Dechert LLP represented Bregal Partners and United Sports Brands in this transaction.