News

Transaction a Key Development in the Shooting, Professional & Performance Sports Industries

D.A. Davidson & Co. announced that it has served as exclusive financial advisor to Nielsen-Kellerman Co. (“Nielsen-Kellerman”), a portfolio company of JZ Partners, LLC (“JZ Partners”) and The Edgewater Funds, in connection with the sale to Clearview Capital Fund III, LP (“Clearview Capital”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1978 and located in Boothwyn, PA, Nielsen-Kellerman is a leading designer and manufacturer of premium measurement instruments for enthusiasts, competitors and professionals in the outdoor, tactical, paddlesports and professional markets. All of Nielsen-Kellerman’s products are designed and assembled in the United States and are marketed under the Kestrel and NK brands.

“The Kestrel and NK brands are respected in demanding outdoor markets for their relentless focus on accuracy, quality and reliability,” said Mike Smith, Managing Director at D.A. Davidson. “We are privileged to represent such a distinguished American-made brand and we have the highest respect for what management, JZ Partners and The Edgewater Funds have accomplished.”

“Our new partnership with Clearview Capital will enable Nielsen-Kellerman to continue to grow and create innovative products for our customers. I want to thank Mike Smith and his team at D.A. Davidson for playing a critical role in helping us tell the NK story to potential buyers and connect with the Clearview Capital team,” said Alix James, CEO of Nielsen-Kellerman.

“I want to thank Mike Smith and Brien Rowe of D.A. Davidson and management of Nielsen-Kellerman for leading us to a highly successful outcome,” said Eric Kieras, Managing Director at JZ Partners and John Malloy, Principal at The Edgewater Funds. “This successful transaction is indicative of the continued strong interest in the outdoor and performance sports markets.”

The investment by Clearview Capital will help Nielsen-Kellerman continue to drive growth by broadening its channels of distribution, expanding into new markets, and increasing customer reach.

D.A. Davidson’s Active Lifestyle Investment Banking team provided strategic advisory and M&A services to JZ Partners, The Edgewater Funds and Nielsen-Kellerman. The transaction represents another successful closing for D.A. Davidson’s investment banking group. Since the start of 2015, members of D.A. Davidson’s Consumer & Retail investment banking team have advised on over 50 completed transactions.

D.A. Davidson & Co.’s investment banking division is a leading full-service investment bank that offers comprehensive financial advisory and capital markets expertise and has extensive transaction experience serving middle market clients worldwide.

About D.A. Davidson Companies

D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities nationwide. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Montana, with corporate offices in Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle, the company has more than 1,300 employees and offices in 24 states.

Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., the largest full-service investment firm headquartered in the Northwest, providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company; and Davidson Fixed Income Management, a registered investment adviser providing fixed income portfolio and advisory services.

For more information, visit dadavidson.com or Twitter: @DADavidsonCo.