When the rumors that the private equity firm that owns Cycle Gear, J.W. Childs Associates, planned to buy RevZilla for $400 million (or more!), the internet nearly broke.
After nearly a week of speculation and outrage, the folks at RevZilla broke their silence and explained that the two riding gear companies will not be merged, but will remain independent and continue doing what they do.
This is a big move for J.W. Childs, which has owned Cycle Gear for just under 13 months, having bought it from another private equity firm, Harvest Partners, in January 2015. J.W. Childs is taking on RevZilla’s outstanding debt in the deal.
Anthony Bucci, the CEO and co-founder of RevZilla – and for many riders, the face of the company, is it is Bucci who makes the many gear demo videos on the company’s website – called the deal a partnership and “an exciting opportunity” and said, “We also like to think that we understand the next generation of commerce and have the vision to shape what we believe the future should be.”
RevZilla founders Matt kull, Anthony Bucci and Nick Auger. Photo linked from RevZilla’s website.
J.W. Childs currently owns the Kosta Browne Winery, NutraSweet, The Tile Shop and other entities; the firm formerly owned Bass Pro Shops, clothies Joseph Abboud, Murray’s Discount Auto Stores, Ross University and Sunny Delight.
