HOUSTON – April 19, 2022 – PRLog — Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction of a distributor of paddle sports accessories and marine accessories. based in Houston, Texas, the company also has operating agreements to provide RAILBLAZA products throughout North America, as well as distribution agreements with several other third-party water sports brands.

YakGear is an industry-leading supplier of kayak equipment, paddle sports accessories, and boat-mounting accessories to individual consumers, as well as distributors across the United States via e-commerce and retail sales. The company has several partnerships with big-box retailers, distribution outlets, and e-commerce channels such as Amazon to market and reach a wide audience.

“I wanted to take the time to thank [Benchmark International] for all the hard work y’all did to make selling the company an easy thing. From the early beginning of the adventure, I knew I had someone to rely on and count on for conversation and guidance. It was a long road, over two years, but you brought many competent buyers to the table, it was just me looking for the right one to continue the tradition my team, and I had built into YakGear for 17 years.” -Bill Bragman Founder of YakGear Inc.

Nautical Group Holdings (NGH) acquired all assets of YakGear that relate to RAILBLAZA distribution, including associated stock and direct-to-consumer (DTC) accounts. RAILBLAZA USA Inc. (RAILBLAZA USA) will operate as a 100% owned subsidiary of NGH from Houston, Texas, managing all RAILBLAZA operations and sales distribution to the North American market.

NGH aims to achieve a dominant market position for each of its niche portfolio brands while accelerating an innovation focus with speed to market while assisting portfolio companies to build out governance and corporate functions to a higher level of maturity to support growth. It will capitalize on a broad range of well-developed relationships with global distributors, partners, and customers, supplying best-in-class solutions.

Commenting on the transaction, CEO of NGH, Marc Michel, said, “Our thanks to the YakGear team who have done an amazing job of establishing and growing RAILBLAZA in the US market. This is a strategic acquisition to accelerate our momentum in the US market and put in place a focused RAILBLAZA team.”

The remaining assets of YakGear have been acquired by TH Marine, a division of OneWater  T-H Marine has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of marine parts and accessories in the United States. T-H Marine is based in Huntsville, Alabama, where it provides various products, including jack plates, outboard tilt and trim controls, rigging components, boat plumbing, hatches, LED lights, live well aeration, and more.

“Since 2006, YakGear Founder and President Bill Bragman and his team have done a remarkable job providing accessories to kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard enthusiasts, earning YakGear’s reputation as a household name among their audience,” said Jeff Huntley Sr., Chief Executive Officer for T-H Marine. “We’re thrilled to add the YakGear team, including Jerron Wosel, YakGear’s Director of Procurement and now President of the YakGear division, to T-H Marine, along with their expansive portfolio of paddle sport products. YakGear’s strong multi-channel approach to the aftermarket complements our platform and provides exposure to an entirely new set of paddle sports retailers and consumers, giving T-H Marine a stronger foothold in the space.”

“Representing an industry leader like YakGear was an honor for our team and are confident the acquiring parties will continue to grow within their niche and benefit by this transaction.” Brenda Spencer, Transaction Director said, “we wish success to all in their future endeavors”.

ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL

Benchmark International’s global offices provide business owners in the middle market and lower middle market with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. To date, Benchmark International has handled engagements in excess of $8.25B across various industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark International’s deal teams, working from 14 offices across the world, have assisted thousands of owners with achieving their personal objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.

Website: http://www.benchmarkintl.com

Blog: http://blog.benchmarkcorporate.com

TAMPA, Fla. – Feb. 2, 2022 – PRLog — Benchmark International has successfully brokered the sale of Wilnat, Inc. (doing business as KGM) to St. Louis-based private equity firm Compass Group Equity Partners. Tim and Nancy Wood, the sellers of KGM, engaged Benchmark International in June with a mandate to close by year-end with a buyer that would be precisely the right fit for their plans going forward. “Benchmark International put us in the position by mid-October of having met with four potential partners over the course of a week, each offering essentially the same deal value and structure. We had the luxury of picking the group we thought would be the best partner going forward for our family, our employees, and our business partners,” stated KGM CEO Tim Wood.

These meetings followed a uniquely short 15-day marketing campaign in which over 400 potential acquirers were approached. “In today’s market, with some good preparation and an amazing one-of-a-kind opportunity like KGM, we can really make things happen quickly,” stated Benchmark International Managing Director Clinton Johnston.

KGM is an Oklahoma-based distributor and servicer of meters, regulators, valves, and other critical measuring and flow-control equipment primarily serving utilities and municipalities. Benchmark International Director Michael Macinnes added, “A business like this – operating in over 24 states, with government contracting aspects, and major OEM contracts – throws up a great deal of complexity and requires real teamwork, especially with a 73-day deadline between signing the letter of intent and the drop-dead date for a closing.” The transaction closed on December 29. “Benchmark International provided a great service to the Wood’s; they prepared KGM for the rigors of diligence and the transition in working with a collaborative strategic partner,” stated Chris Gibson, Compass Group’s Managing Director.

Legal counsel was provided to the buyer by McGuire Wood’s partner, Jon Finger, and to the sellers by Nelson Mullen’s partners, Doug Starcher and Peter Schoemann.

This transaction contributed to Benchmark International’s nearly 200 deals closed in 2021.  Regarding the transaction, Benchmark International’s Executive Chairman, Steven Keane, stated “We are very happy to have had the opportunity to get this deal lined up and closed for the Wood family.  In a year of unprecedented M&A activity for family-owned businesses, this deal will stand out as one in which our deal team really went above and beyond to ensure the best results for our clients. If ever a client deserved that, it was the Wood family, and we are so happy that they were able to go into the new year with the deal behind them and the ability to focus entirely toward the next step in their professional journey.”

Americas: Sam Smoot at +1 (813) 898 2350 / Smoot@BenchmarkIntl.com

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Enquiries@BenchmarkIntl.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkIntl.com

ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL

Benchmark Intl’s global offices provide business owners in the middle market and lower middle market with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. To date, Benchmark Intl has handled engagements in excess of $8.25B across various industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark Intl’s deal teams, working from 14 offices across the world, have assisted thousands of owners with achieving their personal objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.

Website: http://www.benchmarkintl.com

Blog: http://blog.benchmarkcorporate.com