Today's Transactions:
TA Associates Grabs High-End Retailer Joie
The deal also includes women’s fashion brands Equipment and Current/Elliot
Private equity firm TA Associates has completed a majority investment in Dutch LLC for an undisclosed amount.
Vernon, Calif.-based Dutch is the parent company for fashion brands Joie, Equipment and Current/Elliot. The brands are sold in high-end department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Printemps, as well as boutiques.
TA Associates bought 60 percent of Dutch. The firm has raised more than $18 billion in capital since its founding in 1968. Its portfolio companies include E-Rewards Inc., Fotolia Holdings Inc. and IntraLinks Inc.
The firm's bid was chosen from a number of offers after TA Associates hired Sage Group LLC to help it find a partner, according to TA Associates principal James Hart. TA Associates doesn't currently have near term plans to add on any new companies to the business, according to Hart.
Instead, the firm will focus on building out retail locations for the brand, as well as developing an e-commerce site for Current/Elliot, which does not have one, Hart says.
Goodwin Procter LLP provided legal counsel to TA Associates, while Peter J. Solomon Co. provided advisory services. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & FLom LLP served as legal counsel to Dutch, while Sage Group LLC was financial adviser.
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