Equipment Manufacturer Bauer Hockey Purchases Mission-Itech

Bauer Hockey Acquires Mission-Itech Hockey

Kohlberg & Co. subsidiary Bauer Hockey has purchased fellow hockey equipment manufacturer Mission-Itech Hockey. Bauer's Canadian entity, Bauer Hockey Corp., will acquire Mission-Itech's Canadian operations, with plans to close the manufacturer's Kirkland, Quebec, and Plattsburgh, New York, facilities in May '09. About 140 employees will be affected by the multi-phased closure (Bauer Hockey). In Toronto, Dana Flavelle reports the deal "strengthens Bauer's grip on the $450[M]-a-year global market for hockey equipment and provides growth opportunities, especially in Eastern Europe and Russia, where the sport is still growing." Bauer Hockey President & CEO Kevin Davis: "One of the attractions of this deal -- Mission-Itech wasn't as strong outside North America -- was the ability to put their products into our distribution system outside North America." Terms of the deal, which is Bauer's first since being bought by Kohlberg in February, were not disclosed (TORONTO STAR, 9/25). Bauer Hockey said that the "addition of Mission-Itech will strengthen its overall position in the marketplace." Mission-Itech CEO Mike Whan said that "stronger companies are better for the industry." Whan in a statement said: "Consolidation is essential for the long-term success of the overall hockey industry" (CP, 9/24).