Compass Diversified Holdings Completes Acquisition of Baseball Equipment Company Marucci Sports

WESTPORT, Conn., April 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Diversified Holdings (NYSE: CODI) (“CODI” or the “Company”), an owner of leading middle market businesses, today announced the completion of the Company’s previously announced acquisition of Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Marucci Sports, LLC (“Marucci”), pursuant to an agreement entered into on March 6, 2020.

In 2009, Marucci Sports was founded by a team including two former professional baseball players. Over the past decade, hundreds of Big League players have chosen Marucci products, making Marucci one of the most popular bats in baseball. While continuing to increase market share in wood bats, Marucci has built on its devoted brand following by expanding the product portfolio to include a full suite of baseball equipment and apparel.

The acquisition was completed for a purchase price of $200 million (excluding working capital, other customary adjustments, and acquisition related costs) and funded through a previously disclosed draw on the Company’s revolving credit facility and an $11 million cash investment by minority shareholders. As previously disclosed, subsequent to the completion of the Marucci acquisition, and including the ability to upsize the Company’s revolving credit facility by $250 million, CODI would have more than $650 million of liquidity available to support its business.

“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of this transaction in a challenging market environment,” said Elias Sabo, CEO of Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC. “We are excited about the future strategic opportunities for Marucci as we expect to accelerate their growth and expansion in the years to come.”

“Now more than ever, we are grateful to have partnered with such a veteran and sophisticated investor in CODI. Their team not only brings tremendous experience navigating market cycles, but also shares our long-term vision for the future of Marucci,” said Kurt Ainsworth, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Marucci. “We believe our suite of products has tremendous growth potential and now that the transaction has closed, we look forward to working closely with the CODI team in pursuit of our shared objectives.”

About Marucci

Founded in 2009, Marucci Sports is a leading manufacturer and distributor of baseball and softball equipment under the Marucci and Victus brands, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marucci’s product portfolio includes wood and metal bats, apparel and accessories, batting and fielding gloves, and bags and protective gear. Today, Marucci and Victus are the top two most-used bats among Big League players.