Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Announces the Acquisition of McKenzie Sports Products, LLC

LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced today that it has partnered with management to complete the acquisition of McKenzie Sports Products, LLC ("McKenzie").  McKenzie, based in Salisbury, North Carolina, is the world's leading innovator, manufacturer and distributor of taxidermy supplies (forms, eyes, jaws, lifelike reproductions, habitat and other accessories) to a highly diverse and stable customer base of thousands of taxidermists across the United States.  With approximately 22,500 unique SKUs, McKenzie has led the taxidermy industry for nearly 40 years and is renowned as the most trusted brand in the industry.    

The investment in McKenzie was funded from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., a $1.1 billion private equity fund.  According to Lauren Leichtman, Co-Founder and CEO of LLCP, "McKenzie is truly one of the most unique companies we have come across.  Its longevity as the market leader in the taxidermy supply industry is a testament to its ability to produce high-quality and innovative products on a consistent basis.  We are excited to partner with Dave Sachs, Tom Powell and the rest of McKenzie's senior management team as we all look forward to the continued growth and success of the business."  

Dave Sachs, McKenzie's President, commented, "We are very excited to be partnering with a world-class firm like Levine Leichtman, with the knowledge and years of experience they bring to our company.  Throughout the entire sale process, they demonstrated a quick and intuitive understanding of our business and what it takes for us to be successful.  We look forward to capitalizing on their business development skills and pursuing the growth opportunities they can help add to our solid base."

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a Los Angeles, California-based investment firm that manages approximately $5.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships, distressed debt and leveraged loan funds. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund II, L.P. Prior investments by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners include CiCi's Pizza, Hackney Ladish, Jon Douglas Real Estate Group, Overhill Farms and Quizno's.  For more information about Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, please visit www.llcp.com.

SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners