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Investment company EMERAM: Portfolio company Boards & More Group acquires cycling specialist SQlab
- SQlab is the market leader and innovator for ergonomically optimized cycling components
- Product expansion in the fields of saddles, grips and other bicycle components for Boards & More
- Strengthening of international presence for SQlab by using the international distribution channels of Boards & More
The Boards & More Group, a portfolio company of the investment firm EMERAM Capital Partners, has acquired the cycling specialist SQlab, effective April 9, 2021. Together, the well-known product range for cyclists of the ION Bike brand (for example, clothing, protectors, shoes) is to be supplemented by additional innovative products of the SQlab brand (including saddles, grips, handlebars). In addition, SQlab is strengthening its international presence through the global sales power of Boards & More, for example with its own sales company in the USA.
SQlab, founded in 2003, is seen as the market leader for ergonomics in cycling with measurement tools and products for all direct contact points between the cyclist and the bike as well as adjacent product areas. The company is a leader in after sales in the core categories of saddles and grips. It is currently expanding its supply chain in order to also distribute bicycle saddles "made in Germany" in the future. SQlab founder Tobias Hild will continue to lead the company.
Dr. Christian Näther, founding partner of EMERAM, comments, "Boards & More is a unique growth story. The company is a technology leader in its field and has repeatedly changed an entire market with its newly developed products. SQlab represents an excellent extension in the bicycle components business in exactly this sense. The two companies are very similar in DNA in terms of innovation leadership in their respective product markets. With their combined development power, they can open up new markets together and continue the dynamic development of Boards & More."
Till Eberle, CEO of Boards & More Group, explains, "We are united by our love of product detail. Together, we want to advance the SQlab and ION brands internationally. We see numerous growth opportunities here."
Tobias Hild, Managing Director of SQlab GmbH, comments, "We have numerous ideas up our sleeves and want to make the most of the strong growth of the past year in particular. Our goal is to now realize several larger projects that we have been working on for a long time. With Boards & More we have found the right partner for this. Both companies complement each other quite excellently in important fields."
The purchase price is subject to confidentiality. EMERAM and Boards & More were advised on this transaction by Alvarez & Marsal Transaction Advisory GmbH (financial due diligence), Shearman & Sterling LLP (legal financing), GCA Altium AG (financing) and by Watson Farley & Williams LLP (legal). On the SQlab side IC Transaction Partners (M&A counsel), Alexander Koelle (patents) and LKC. RECHTSANWÄLTE (Legal) were involved.
Boards & More is the world market leader for windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingfoil and stand-up paddling equipment as well as a leading supplier of mountain bike accessories. The Boards & More Group includes three established sports brands: DUOTONE is the global market leader in kite surfing and foil-wing sports, Fanatic is the global market leader in windsurfing and stand-up paddle boards, and ION is a leading brand for water sports and mountain bike equipment. Boards & More, with approximately 180 employees, was founded in 2000 and became a portfolio company of EMERAM Capital Partners in 2013.
SQlab is considered the market leader for ergonomics in cycling with measurement tools and products for all direct contact points between the cyclist and the bike as well as adjacent product areas. The company, based in Taufkirchen, was founded in 2003 and has approximately 40 employees. The product range includes numerous bicycle-related products, such as saddles, stems, handlebars, pedals and clothing.
EMERAM is one of the leading investment companies for medium-sized companies in the German-speaking region. Funds advised by EMERAM currently provide 400 million euros of capital for the development of companies. The portfolio includes companies from the consumer, technology/software and services sectors.
EMERAM acts as a long-term business development partner for its companies, promoting the sustainable growth (organic and inorganic) of the portfolio companies. Together, the team has successfully closed more than 60 transactions and supported the development of portfolio companies by serving on more than 50 advisory and supervisory boards. EMERAM was founded in 2012 as an independent partnership in Munich.