Wasserstein Acquires Leading Global Experimental Marketing Solutions Company Moss
NEW YORK, NY – May 6, 2016 — Wasserstein & Co., LP (“Wasserstein”), on behalf of its private equity fund Wasserstein Partners III, has acquired Moss Inc. (“Moss”), the leading global provider of highly engineered, three-dimensional fabric structures and customized environmental branding solutions. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Founded in 1975, and headquartered in Elk Grove, IL, Moss transforms physical environments into powerful branded experiences. Moss’ three-dimensional visual communication structures and displays enrich marketing and merchandising venues, including retail destinations, tradeshows, corporate environments, museums and entertainment events. The Company is a differentiated, total solutions provider that serves its customers’ unique needs from project visualization and design conception to production and installation.
Dan Patterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moss said, “Over the past decade, Moss has undergone a profound transformation to further expand its market leadership position and global reach by building new partnerships, expanding production, enhancing technologies, and diversifying our products and services. We are thrilled to partner with Wasserstein, whose significant media expertise and strong industry relationships will help us extend our leadership in the industry and further accelerate our international growth strategy. We look forward to working closely with Anup, Michael and the rest of the Wasserstein team as we seek to continue providing our customers with industry-leading customized graphic imaging solutions.”
Anup Bagaria, Co-Managing Partner of Wasserstein, commented, “Moss has an extraordinary growth opportunity in the retail end-market as companies begin to shift their focus towards providing customers with a more engaging and immersive shopping experience. Moss caters to customers who are investing heavily on their in-store interiors and product displays as part of their marketing plans. We’re thrilled to be acquiring a business with such a bright future and to partner with the Moss team during its next phase of growth.”
“Moss is well-known for providing best-in-class, branding and identity solutions to some of the world’s leading retail companies, including Nike, Popeye’s and Select Comfort,” added Michael Struble, Partner of Wasserstein, “With a proven management team, and an impressive culture of innovation and design leadership, Moss is well-positioned to capitalize on this rapidly expanding, and highly fragmented industry. We look forward to working closely with Dan and his team as the Company continues to build on its long-standing customer relationships and track record of strong growth.”
Financing for the transaction was provided by Fifth Third Bank. Jones Day served as legal advisor to Wasserstein and Lincoln International LLC served as financial adviser to Moss.
About Wasserstein & Co.
Wasserstein & Co. is a leading independent private equity and investment firm, focused primarily on leveraged buyout investments and related investment activities. Wasserstein manages capital on behalf of institutional and individual investors. The firm is focused on investments primarily in the media and communications, consumer products, and water and industrial sectors. Wasserstein is located in New York. For more information, visit www.wasserco.com.
About Moss Inc.
Moss Inc., headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, with additional locations in Chicago, Illinois; Salt Lake City, Utah; and through its subsidiary Marx + Moschner, Lennestadt, Germany, is a leading provider of experiential marketing solutions to the exhibit, event, sports, retail and commercial environment industries. Moss’ three-dimensional visual communication structures and displays enrich marketing and merchandising venues, including tradeshows, corporate and entertainment events, and retail destinations. The Moss product offering allows for visual appeal and design flexibility in a single custom solution or an easily scalable worldwide rollout as well as superior economic value because of its lightweight nature and associated lower total cost of ownership. For more information on Moss, please visit www.mossinc.com.
Contacts
Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Stephanie Pillersdorf/Devin Broda/Patrick Reynolds
212-687-8080