Vela e business, Oakley rileva la maggioranza del North Technology Group
EnglishIn evidenzaNorth SailsVela 3 Marzo 2014 Zerogradinord 0
Milford – Il North Technology Group (NTG) ha annunciato che Oakley Capital Private Equity (Oakley) ha rilevato la maggioranza delle azioni del gruppo. Oakley è un fondo d’investimento creato dall’uomo di affari britannico, nonché appassionato di vela, Peter Dubens.
“Siamo davvero contenti dell’investimento fatto con il North Technology Group – ha sottolineato Dubens – Ciò dimostra come obiettivo della Oakley sia quello di lavorare con imprese di successo, leader nel proprio settore. Siamo davvero colpiti dalle potenzialità di North Sails e non vediamo l’ora di collaborare con il loro management“.
Oakley ha rilevato le quote dalla Windway Capital Corp di Terry Kohler, che le aveva acquisite circa trent’anni fa direttamente da Lowell North, fondatore di North Sails nel 1957. La sede del gruppo, è stato annunciato, resterà a Milford, nel Connecticut.
Originato dalla North Sails, il North Technology Group comprende tre marchi di primaria importanza sul panorama nautico internazionale: North Sails (veleria), Southern Spars (alberi e attrezzatura) e la EdgeWater Boats (barche sportive con motore fuoribordo).
Della “famiglia” fanno parte anche il North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) e il North Cutting Systems. Nato dall’esperienza sviluppata con il 3Di, l’NTPT è stato concepito e commercializzato appositamente per Southern Spars e garantisce la realizzazione di stuoie in pre-preg di carbonio leggere ma estremamente resistenti, che hanno trovato ampio utilizzo nelle aziende aerospaziali e in settori competitivi come la Formula 1.
Ma la società più grande collegata all’NTG è la North Sails, titolare dei brevetti relativi al 3Di e azienda leader nel settore delle classi One Design.
“La North Sails è leader tra le velerie da oltre vent’anni grazie a prodotti che hanno consentito ai propri clienti di primeggiare sui campi di regata – ha spiegato il CEO dell’NTG, Tom Whidden – Contiamo che l’ingresso di Oakley possa aiutarci a far crescere ulteriormente il gruppo, permettendoci di essere sempre all’avanguardia in fatto di innovazione e tecnologia“.
SAILING AND BUSINESS, OAKLEY ACQUIRES MAJORIY STAKES IN NORTH TECNOLOGY GROUP
Milford, CT – North Technology Group (NTG) is pleased to announce Oakley Capital Private Equity (“Oakley”) has acquired a majority stake in their diverse family of companies. Oakley is an investment vehicle founded by UK businessman and sailing enthusiast Peter Dubens. Utilizing their collective experience, Dubens and his partners make investments in companies to support their brand development and growth.
“We are delighted to be backing North Technology Group and an iconic brand like North Sails,” said Dubens. “This investment further demonstrates Oakley’s appetite to work with successful entrepreneurially led businesses. We are hugely excited by the potential of North Sails and look forward to working with the management team in the next stage of its evolution.”
Originating with North Sails, founded by Lowell North in 1957, NTG comprises three market leading marine brands; North Sails; the world leader in sailmaking, Southern Spars; the world leader in composite spars, rigging and marine components and EdgeWater Boats; a line of high performance outboard sport boats, all focused on providing innovative, high performance products and solutions to the world’s sailors and yachtsmen. Included in the family are North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) and North Cutting Systems. Born from North’s 3Di manufacturing of sails and used exclusively in Southern Spars’ composite masts, NTPT has developed and commercialized a very light but strong carbon pre-preg solution, used by the aerospace market, competitive Formula 1 racing and high-end luxury products. North Cutting Systems is two businesses, the ground-breaking AlphaBlade Cutting System that provides a unique cutting solution for various industries, and the other produces the unique Automated Tape Laying (ATL) system. The intellectual property within the group is substantial and protected by an expansive portfolio of patents.
The largest company by revenues within NTG is North Sails, holding the patent for 3Di, a unique composite construction process that produces high-performance sails approaching the shape holding of a rigid foil. North 3Di is the sail of choice on the majority of America’s Cup, Grand Prix, ocean race boats and Superyachts. The iconic brand also services cruising sailors with a wide range of performance 3D and paneled sails. North Sails is also the world’s leading sailmaker for One Design classes, with more National Championships, World Championships and Olympic Class victories than all other sailmakers combined.
“I purchased North Sails from its founder, Lowell North, over 30 years ago,” said Terry Kohler, owner of Windway Capital Corp, the previous majority shareholder in North Technology Group. “I am confident the new shareholder, Oakley, will continue Lowell’s legacy to help launch North Sails and the NTG companies into their next stage of development. We are all extremely proud to have been growing our ‘Engine Above the Deck’ concept with North Sails and Southern Spars to become the undisputed market leader in sails and composite spars. North Sails has been on every America’s Cup Challenger and Defender, was the sail supplier to every winning Volvo Ocean Race boat and our sails have been used by countless ocean, Grand Prix race winners and Olympic sailors. During my tenure, technology used from sailmaking lead to the development of North Thin Ply Technology and North Cutting Systems. In addition, we’ve built EdgeWater Boats into one of the top brands in the outboard industry. I wish Oakley and the North Sails management team future success as well as my pledge of commitment for continued support.”
“North Sails has been the leader in sailmaking technology for over 20 years,” said North Technology Group CEO, Tom Whidden. “Our team of industry experts build sails that allow sailors to maximize their performance on the water, whether they be extreme ocean racers or casual cruisers. North Sails looks forward to working with Oakley to grow our business and carry on the tradition of providing sailors with the highest performing products by being at the forefront of development. Terry Kohler has been a tremendously supportive shareholder for over 30 years and we are confident Oakley will be equally supportive in the years to come. Oakley shares our obsession with technology and enthusiasm for the sport of sailing. We’re confident we are transitioning the business to a shareholder that will help North Sails reach the next level in sailmaking innovation.”
The acquisition will further align North Sails with other NTG companies, specifically Southern Spars. Completing the transaction results in the ability to better share resources and technology between the two brands. “North Sails and Southern Spars have been working together for years on various projects from the America’s Cup to the new J-70,” said North Sails President Ken Read. “A well kept secret is North Sails Design Services, a combination of North Sails designers and proprietary computer programs, working together to answer questions traditionally identified during sea trials. I’m hopeful stronger synergy between North Sails and Southern Spars will result as we continue to provide the best products to all sailors. It’s an exciting time for North Sails and for the sport of sailing.”
Oakley’s investment will assist the North Technology Group management team in growing and further developing all of its brands to ensure the Group remains at the forefront of technology for marine industry products and outside. The company will continue to be headquartered in Milford, Connecticut.
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