Youth Helmet Market Leader to Strengthen BRG Sports’ Position in Action Sport. Transaction Underscores Commitment to Reinvesting in Business and Growing Core Brands.

BRG Sports, Inc. (“BRG Sports”), a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories, today announced that it has acquired C-Preme Ltd. (“C-Preme”), a Southern California-based leading designer and developer of protective helmets and sporting goods for children, teens and adults. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Established in 2010, C-Preme has invigorated the market for children’s sporting helmets by transforming important protective gear and accessories into imaginative, character-based intellectual property, while encouraging kids to wear helmets when participating in sports. C-Preme’s portfolio features the Raskullz and KRASH! brands, designed for youth and teens for use on bicycles, scooters and skateboards, along with other action sports. C-Preme recently signed licensing agreements with both Marvel and Nickelodeon, which will provide access to a suite of their popular characters for use on its products, including Marvel’s Spiderman, Hulk and Captain America, and Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sponge Bob, and Dora the Explorer.

In addition, C-Preme recently developed a third brand, BULT, for teenage and adult participants in non-motorized action sports, including cycling, snowboarding and skating. BULT helmets integrate a high definition camera directly into the forehead section of the helmet with the ability to swivel and capture action in real-time digitally. C-Preme products are available at such big-box retailers as Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, and specialty retailers such as REI.

“C-Preme’s ascent as a market leader in children’s and teens’ sporting helmets in just a few short years has been extraordinary and we are thrilled to bring such an impressive new company into our portfolio,” said BRG Sports Executive Chairman and CEO Terry Lee. “With the continued leadership of their ultra-creative and resourceful management team, our vision is to leverage C-Preme’s entrepreneurial ingenuity with BRG’s leadership in head protection, premier brands, broad channel penetration and global footprint.”

Mr. Lee continued, “Bringing C-Preme into our portfolio is also an important step in our strategy to narrow our focus and put all of our efforts behind our core strengths in helmets, protective gear and related category accessories. Our acquisition of C-Preme is a prime example of the exciting growth opportunities we will pursue as we continue to set the standard for innovation and excellence.”

Ryan Ratner, C-Preme Co-Founder stated, “BRG Sports’ brands are some of the most iconic in the sporting goods industry and we are honored to bring C-Preme’s brands under the same umbrella. As part of BRG Sports, C-Preme will be able to keep its unique identity and dedication to innovation but will have added capabilities and resources to support our quest to continuously reinvent our industry. Terry and his team share our commitment to developing creative and innovative products that allow people to more safely pursue their hobbies, sports and passions, and we look forward to working together to take on the many opportunities ahead.”

C-Preme will continue to be led by its existing senior management team, including Corey Ratner, Ryan Ratner, Brad Blankinship and Benjamin Soto. C-Preme will also operate independently – similar to the other BRG Sports brands – while taking advantage of BRG’s strong balance sheet to invest in future growth.

de Werd Capital Partners, LLC acted as financial advisor and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acted as legal advisor to C-Preme in connection with the transaction. Winston & Strawn LLP acted as legal advisor to BRG Sports in connection with the transaction.

Logo courtesy BRG Sports