California-based United Sports Brands (USB), the parent of Pearl Izumi, Shock Doctor, McDavid, Cutters, Nathan and Glukos, has been acquired by US private equity firm Norwest Equity Partners. The transaction closed on Nov. 20, 2023, and financial terms were not disclosed.
Norwest’s history with USB brands dates to 2008 when it acquired Shock Doctor as part of its consumer products portfolio. During its initial six-year investment period with Shock Doctor, Norwest worked together with CEO Tony Armand and management to enhance Shock Doctor’s position as a market leader in the performance and protective equipment category, as well as create and acquire new product lines. Norwest sold Shock Doctor to Bregal Partners in 2014, which subsequently turned into United Sports Brands after expanding the brand portfolio through numerous acquisitions under Armand’s leadership. Armand joined Norwest as a partner in 2018. With the acquisition of USB, Norwest will again be able to leverage Armand’s experience and knowledge of the business and consumer products industry.
USB distributes products for all sports, including mouthguards, protective equipment, sports medicine and therapy, cycling, gloves and other sports-related accessories and apparel. Retailers in more than 65 countries sell the company’s products, including sporting goods stores, specialty stores and e-commerce channels. USB is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, with regional offices in Boulder, Colorado (USA), Belgium, Japan and Canada.
Norwest’s previous investments in sporting and outdoor products include Wahoo Fitness, Pure Archery, Pelican Products and Michaels of Oregon.
