Advantage acquires Japan's Ishii Sports

In a release, Advantage said it will take a 100% stake in the company; financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The GP said it will support Ishii's revenue growth through strengthening the management team.

Founded in 1964, Ishii sells sports equipment both online and through its chain of retail stores, of which it has 32 nationwide. It focuses on skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering and canoeing supplies, stocking both popular brands such as The North Face and Nordica, along with its own label brands.

In addition to retail, the company offers related services such as equipment repair and training. It also promotes outdoor sports through its YouTube and social media channels.

Advantage focuses on buyouts, buy-ins, growth capital, privatization and turnaround opportunities in the middle market of Japan, China and South Korea. It typically invests $20-100 million per deal. Advantage's investments include massage salon chain Riraku, in which Advantage acquired an 80% stake for $21 million in 2013.

Currently Advantage is investing out of a $200 million bridge fund that closed in 2013. It is currently raising a new flagship fund - which is said to have reached a first close at the end of last year - and a $400 million fund for investments outside Japan.

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• Topics
• North Asia
• Consumer
• Buyouts
• Buyout
• Japan
• Advantage Partners