Deal Details

Sale to Lion Capital LLP

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Summary

About

Crafts Group Limited (“the DMC Group”), a portfolio company of BlueGem Capital Partners (“BlueGem”), has been acquired by Lion Capital LLP (“Lion Capital”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The DMC Group comprises a portfolio of leading European consumer needlecraft brands: DMC, Wool and the Gang (“WATG”) and Sirdar. Established in 1746, DMC is the global go-to embroidery brand renowned for its quality and colour consistency. DMC produces over 500 colours of embroidery threads in-house in Mulhouse, France. Founded in 2008, WATG is a fast-growing, digitally native “DIY fashion brand” providing knitting kits and premium yarns. Established in 1880, Sirdar is a heritage British brand of hand-knitting yarns, with a market-leading position in the United Kingdom and a growing presence in the United States. The needlecraft platform is complemented by Tilsatec. Tilsatec is a leading British brand of high-performance cut-resistant yarn and finished protective glovewear for the personal protective equipment market, manufacturing its threads in-house in Wakefield, the United Kingdom. In 2018, the Business had approximately 410 employees. The Group is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

BlueGem is a pan-European, mid-market private equity Fund specialised in consumer brands. Established in 2007, BlueGem has over €550 million of assets under management across two funds. Its portfolio companies include global, well-known brands such as Liberty London, Dr. Vranjes, Jack Wills, Mamas & Papas and QMS, and fast growing, exciting brands such as Iconic London, Lateral and Big Fernand. BlueGem is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Lion Capital is a consumer-focused investor passionate about driving growth through strong brands. With offices in Los Angeles and London, the firm’s principals have led the investment of €6 billion in more than 30 businesses and more than 100 consumer brands across North America and Europe. Lion’s focus on market-leading consumer-facing companies has led to investments in such well-known brands as Kettle Foods, Jimmy Choo, ghd and AllSaints. Lion Capital is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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