Tender Corporation Joins with Victor Capital Partners

Tender Corporation, which sells a range of branded consumer products, today announced the completion of a management-led transaction to recapitalize the business and to help the growing company accelerate its growth in both the outdoor and consumer packaged goods marketplaces. The new investor group is led by Victor Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in middle-market businesses with recognized brands, and the company’s CEO Jason Cartwright, who will retain a significant investment in the business.

Founded in 1973 in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Tender Corporation has built a range of trusted brands in safety, preparedness and first aid. Tender’s product portfolio includes After Bite, the leader in insect bite relief; insect repellents Ben’s and Natrapel; and outdoor first aid and survival product leaders Adventure Medical Kits and Survive Outdoors Longer. Tender Corporation will maintain its operational headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Littleton, N.H., as well as its marketing and sales office in Alameda, Calif.

“Partnering with Victor Capital will ensure continued and accelerated growth and innovation for Tender Corporation’s strong portfolio of brands and allows us to better serve our global retail and on-line partners and our loyal consumers,” says Cartwright. “The relationship will also allow the company to continue its successful strategy of selectively introducing and acquiring new, innovative products and brands that can benefit from our global distribution relationships.”

The primary selling shareholder was Prospect Partners, LLC, the Chicago-based private equity firm. Financing for the transaction was provided by Deerpath Capital Management, LP and Tender’s shareholders were represented by Piper Jaffray & Co. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Gary Kiedaisch, an experienced outdoor products and consumer packaged goods executive, is also investing in Tender and joining the company’s Board of Directors as Chairman. Kiedaisch recently served as Chairman and CEO of Igloo Products Corporation, and as CEO of the Coleman Company.