Iris Dorbian
J.W. Childs Associates has bought a majority stake in Cycle Gear. The seller was Harvest Partners. No financial terms were disclosed. Piper Jaffray and Financo provided financial advice to Cycle Gear on the transaction. Headquartered in Benicia, Calif., Cycle Gear is a provider of motorcycle apparel, parts and accessories.
International law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson has hired Mark Lucas and Daniel Oates as partners in the M&A and private equity practice in the New York and London offices, respectively. Previously, Lucas worked at Goldman Sachs where he served as vice president and associate general counsel in the legal department while Oates was a a partner at O'Melveny & Myers and head of the M&A practice in London.
Igloo Products Corp., a portfolio company of ACON Investments, has closed its acquisition of Cool Gear International. No financial terms were disclosed. Also, Igloo has hired Mark Parrish as president. Parrish is replacing Gary Kiedaisch. Cool Gear is a provider of food storage and personal hydration bottle solutions.
First Read brings you into the week's homestretch with news of the manhunt for two mass murderers in France, a meal replacement start-up is raising funding at a $100 mln valuation and the FCC will hold its first net neutrality vote on February 26.
Silver Lake Partners has invested $250 million in Fort Mill, SC-based Red Ventures, a marketing technology provider.
Freeman Spogli & Co. has acquired Plantation Products from RFE Investment Partners. No financial terms were disclosed. BlackArch Partners served as sell-side advisors to RFE and Plantaiton Products. Based in Norton, Mass., Plantation Products is a provider of seed and seed starting products for the North American consumer lawn and garden sector.
Genstar Capital has agreed to buy Telestream. The seller is Thoma Bravo. No financial terms were disclosed. Silverwood Partners was financial advisor on the transaction while Ropes & Gray was legal counsel to Genstar. Based in Nevada City, Calif., Telestream is a provider of live and on-demand digital video tools and workflow solutions.
Signal Hill has promoted Robert Berstein, Christine Peacock and Franklin Staley to managing director. Also, the firm has promoted Frank Cordek and Jane Santini to vice president. The promotions became effective January 1.
Vista Equity Partners has sold SirsiDynix to ICV Partners. No financial terms were disclosed. SirsiDynix is a provider of tech solutions for libraries.
Harvest Partners has promoted Jay Wilkins to senior managing director. Prior to joining Harvest Partners, Wilkins worked at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners.