Lew's Holdings Corporation, an American supplier of fishing and hunting gear, is acquiring Fox International, Europe's largest privately owned fishing tackle company, with headquarters in Brentwood, Essex. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, and the financial terms remain undisclosed. The two companies will be retaining their separate management and brand identities while pooling their R&D and overlapping their geographic areas. Lew's has been accelerating its growth over the past few years through bolt-on acquisitions. Past targets include the lure maker Strike King and the hunting-gear supplier Hunters Specialties. In June, the control of Lew's passed to a merchant bank, BDT Capital Partners, after Peak Rock Capital and its affiliates sold their majority stake. Fox, meanwhile, saw a previous change in control from Next Wave Partners to Mayfair Equity Partners in 2015. Next Wave retained a significant minority stake at the time, but now both it and Mayfair are divesting entirely. Fox enjoyed growth after Mayfair's investment. In addition to producing and distributing items for anglers, the company made two acquisitions of its own – the lure brand Salmo and the bait dispenser Spomb – while also investing in Western Europe and entering new markets in both the U.S. and Eastern Europe. Fox is now operating in more than 30 countries. 

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