High Road Capital Partner's portfolio company General Tools & Instruments acquires Garden Weasel

Submitted 07/05/2020 - 9:29am

High Road Capital Partners' portfolio company General Tools & Instruments (www.generaltools.com) has acquired Garden Weasel (www.gardenweasel.com), a provider of specialised lawn and garden tools, from Faultless Brands. 

The transaction marks General Tools’ second acquisition under High Road’s ownership, having acquired PacTool International in November 2017.

 
The acquisition comprises Garden Weasel’s assets, trademarks, patents, and related intellectual property, including the Garden Weasel, Garden Claw, and WeedPopper and other easy-to-use cultivators, weeders, edgers, nut gatherers and hand tools with distinctive red handles. Launched in the US in 1975, Garden Weasel products are sold primarily in hardware stores, farm and fleet stores, home improvement centres, and by big box retailers.
 
“General Tools’ addition of Garden Weasel extends the company’s leadership in the specialised hand tools market and expands its reach into lawn and garden products,” says Jeffrey Goodrich, High Road Partner. “The current stay-at-home environment is contributing to a surge of interest in gardening. Garden Weasel, as a familiar and trusted brand, is well suited for the times,” Mr. Goodrich said.
 
“Garden Weasel is known for premium quality and durable products, which complement our portfolio of award-winning products,” says Ralph Mallozzi, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Tools & Instruments. “We see a tremendous opportunity for the company by enhancing marketing, developing innovative new products and line extensions, and broadening distribution.”
 
General Tools & Instruments’ acquisition of Garden Weasel closed April 29, 2020. Transaction consideration was not disclosed. Goodrich led the transaction for High Road and was assisted by Eojin Lee, Principal, and Austin Arnold, Associate. Twin Brook Capital Partners provided financing for the transaction. High Road was advised by Jones Day.
 
High Road Capital Partners has completed 60 transactions – 20 platform investments, 32 add-on acquisitions, and eight exits – since its founding in 2007.

Tags Deals & Transactions Acquisitions