Bunker Hill invests in ImportLA

Bunker Hill Capital has invested in ImportLA Inc. via a recapitalization. Financial terms weren’t announced. ImportLA designs, makes and distributes tattoo furniture and supplies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe under the TATSoul brand name.

PRESS RELEASE
November 10, 2015 01:34 PM Eastern Standard Time
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bunker Hill Capital, a leading Boston based private equity investor in lower middle market companies, announced today that it has partnered with the founders and senior management team of ImportLA, Inc. (“ImportLA” or the “Company”) to recapitalize the Company. ImportLA is a California based designer, manufacturer, and distributor and marketer of tattoo furniture and supplies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe under the TATSoul brand name. The Company also designs and manufactures equipment for the pet grooming and spa/salon markets. Co-founders Michael Chen, Wen Wei, and Billy Chen will remain significant owners of ImportLA and will continue their involvement in the day to day operations of the Company.

ImportLA’s continued commitment to design, function, quality, and customer service has built the TATSoul brand name into the preeminent brand of tattoo furniture and related supplies within the large and growing body art industry. The Company prides itself on being a pioneer in terms of product development. Since the Company’s inception, the TATSoul brand has consistently broadened its product portfolio, starting with the TATSoul 370 chair. Billy Chen, Co-Founder and CMO at ImportLA said, “TATSoul has always been and always will remain committed to the artist. We take the utmost pride in developing the highest quality and most innovative products. Our number one focus is the artist, and we make it a point to involve artist feedback throughout our product development process.” The Company’s focus on continuous innovation, coupled with high quality customer service, has helped foster loyalty to the TATSoul brand, which is reflected in their consistently growing active customer base. Brian Kinsman, Managing Partner at Bunker Hill Capital, said “The TATSoul brand is clearly the market leader for furniture and supplies within the body art industry. We are looking forward to partnering with ImportLA’s highly energetic founders and together taking advantage of the growth opportunities that exist both domestically and internationally.”
Mike Chen, Co-Founder and CEO at ImportLA said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with Bunker Hill Capital. We are impressed by their ability to understand quickly the nature of our business and industry and their proven history of assisting companies to develop and execute on a focused growth strategy. We are looking forward to working with them to continue driving innovation and building on our leadership position within the industry.”
About ImportLA, Inc.
ImportLA, Inc. is a California based designer, manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of furniture, equipment, and supplies serving the tattoo, pet grooming, and spa/salon markets. The Company’s TATSoul brand produces industry-leading premium quality furniture, machines, power supplies, needles, and tubes and distributes a full line of supplies including inks, aftercare lotions, and other tattoo and body piercing accessories. For nearly a decade, the Company has established and maintained a reputation as the industry’s true innovator and producer of premium products dedicated to unwavering quality.
About Bunker Hill Capital, L.P.
Bunker Hill Capital is a private equity firm that makes investments in lower middle market companies with enterprise values up to $120 million. The principals of Bunker Hill Capital have invested over $570 million in 36 transactions and target opportunities across four industry sectors including industrial products, business services, consumer products and specialty retail. Bunker Hill Capital’s current portfolio company investments include California Family Fitness, the leading owner and operator of fitness centers in the greater Sacramento, California area; Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo, a dominant quick service restaurant operator in New England; Smith & Wollensky, a premier steakhouse concept in the United States; Rizing, a leading SAP services firm; Dyno, the exclusive licensee of the Singer brand for sewing accessories and producer and marketer of holiday decorative home products; Hubbardton Forge, a Vermont based premier designer and manufacturer of branded hand-forged premium lighting fixtures; ASPEQ Heating Group, a manufacturer of highly engineered electric heating and thermal management technologies; Courtagen, a diagnostic testing services company; and Taos, a California based IT infrastructure consulting and managed services firm. For more information on Bunker Hill Capital, please visitwww.bunkerhillcapital.com.