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Posts Tagged ‘Mike Noell’

Falconhead Capital Alongside M3 Outdoor Investments Announce Acquisition Of Kwik Tek, Inc

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

I’m often asked what BLACKHAWK! founder Mike Noell is up to. As you can see, he’s still out there, in the mix.

New York, NY (January 2017)- An investment group led by Falconhead Capital, LLC, a sports, leisure and lifestyle focused private equity firm, alongside M3 Outdoor Investments led by BLACKHAWK! founder and long term industry leader Michael Noell, today announced that it has acquired Kwik Tek, Inc. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Colorado and founded in 1991, Kwik Tek, Inc. is a leading designer and supplier of outdoor branded products for the recreational watersports and winter sports markets. Its product line includes towables, inflatables, life jackets, wakeboards, kneeboards, snowshoes, trekking poles, snow sleds, pool floats, lounge items, and related accessories. Kwik Tek supplies products through their trusted consumer brands including Airhead, Sportsstuff, and Yukon Charlie’s. Aaron Kramer, founder, CEO and President of Kwik Tek said, “I am excited to be partnering with Falconhead Capital and M3 Outdoor. Their market expertise makes them the perfect partners to help ensure that even more people can enjoy our exciting products. The dedication and hard work of Kwik Tek’s employees have built our brands into what they are today. We look forward to building on our past successes and the opportunities that lay ahead.”


David S. Moross, Chairman and CEO of Falconhead Capital, added, “We are thrilled to announce this transaction and to partner with Aaron Kramer and Mike Noell to enhance the value of Kwik Tek for the benefit of all its stakeholders. Kwik Tek’s leadership team has done a tremendous job growing the Airhead, Sportsstuff, and Yukon Charlie’s brands all while developing a scalable multi-channel distribution footprint. Kwik Tek offers a strong platform to innovate and enhance its already exceptional brands. This will provide the foundation to accelerate growth and offer substantial upside through various paths of expansion.”

Investment banking firm Lazard Middle Market, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kwik Tek. The law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal counsel to Falconhead Capital. JPMorgan provided senior revolver financing for the transaction and LBC Credit Partners provided senior term financing.

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Mike Noell, Founder and Former CEO of BLACKHAWK! Forms SENTRY Products Group

Thursday, December 22nd, 2016

Virginia Beach, Va. (December 21, 2016) – When you take four executives from an industry leader like BLACKHAWK! and give them a blank page, you can expect product advancement and rapid growth. Mike Noell, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and Founder / CEO of BLACKHAWK! has partnered with his Executive Team; Terry Naughton, Scott Ferros and Eric Yeates to form SENTRY Products Group, LLC.

Over the past 18 months, the group has acquired three industry brands; Scopecoat, Slideboot and Sentry Solutions. “Each of the acquisitions operated in a very defined space, and we knew we needed to develop the master brand to house and expand product lines as we had done in the past at BLACKHAWK!” stated Noell. “The creation of SENTRY Products Group with the tag line “Live To Protect” was something the team felt defined our mission well; the protection, storage and transport of Outdoor, Military, Law Enforcement Equipment.”

As Noell was evaluating additional acquisition options for the group, the SENTRY Executive team worked to move, consolidate and stabilize the brands by building the internal operating systems to support future growth. Distributors, dealers and OEM partners have recognized these changes, and the group has seen consistent growth in U.S. and international markets. As part of a multi-pronged growth plan, now is the time to utilize the team’s extensive manufacturing expertise.

“We have taken the opportunity to re-open the facility which housed the original Michael’s of Oregon (Uncle Mike’s) factory in Boise, Idaho, and have begun to rehire our former BLACKHAWK! crew,” commented Noell. “Our Boise facility will support all U.S.A. manufacturing, global sourcing and distribution. The Virginia Beach facility will be headquarters and all other functional departments. I am thrilled to be putting our team back together.”

“The mission now is to serve our industry and customers to the best of our ability and grow as quickly as possible so we can bring everyone back,” said Terry Naughton, President.

At the 2017 SHOT Show, to be held January 17-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Booth #614, SENTRY will highlight newly designed products in categories such as bags, packs, belts, scope covers, gun covers and gun-cleaning technology, along with the new branding of SENTRY.

“We wanted to start with the products our distribution and OEM partners requested first. These products link us back to previous developments with updated materials and manufacturing technologies. We are having a blast working together again. We are back! Our head is down, and we are focused. Additional products and category offerings will follow,” stated Eric Yeates, VP Product Development.

If you are interested in becoming a distributor, dealer, OEM customer, or would like to request an appointment to preview the new products at SHOT Show, please contact us at (877) 726-7328.

SENTRY “Live To Protect” will be hosting a daily meet-and-greet at 3:30 pm. Come by Booth #614, grab a catalog, sign up for our e-news, and share a beer with us.

SENTRY will be taking forward orders for all new products. Order now!

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Mike Noell Launches M3 “Investing In America” Private Equity Firm

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

When I got this last night I was pretty stoked. I’ve known Mike a long time and its great to see that he’s back out here, in the mix with us.

FORMER CEO AND FOUNDER OF BLACKHAWK! PRODUCTS GROUP,
MIKE NOELL, LAUNCHES M3 “INVESTING IN AMERICA”
Industry Innovator Mike Noell Launches M3 “Investing in America”, a Private Equity Company for the Military, Law Enforcement, Private Security and Outdoor Markets

NORFOLK, VA (May 14, 2013) – Mike Noell, founder and former CEO of BLACKHAWK! Products Group and an industry leader in the design and manufacture of tactical, military, law enforcement and outdoor equipment, has launched M3 “Investing in America,” a private equity company with a mission to support new and growing companies with capital and management resources.
M3 “Investing in America,” a company founded on the same ideals that made BLACKHAWK! a household name, was created by Mr. Noell to help companies grow successfully.

20130514-223742.jpgA former U.S. Navy SEAL, Mr. Noell experienced his business epiphany when his military-issued, 100-lb. pack broke, ejecting gear. Quickly realizing the area was littered with mines and that luck was on his side, Mr. Noell promised himself that if he returned to the U.S., he would make gear that would not compromise soldiers or their missions.

Mr. Noell’s leadership and management skills were what took his small cut-and-sew start-up out of his garage in 1993 to a 65,000 sq. ft., 3.5 story corporate headquarters with manufacturing in 3 states and a global presence by 2008. During his tenure as president and CEO of BLACKHAWK!, Mr. Noell and his highly skilled and experienced team, were responsible for the acquisition of nine companies and brands and the development of some of the most innovative products in the industry today. Many of the products developed have become benchmarks within their categories, including the SERPA® holster, which is today a market share leader in law enforcement and civilian holsters; the Gladius® illumination tool which revolutionized the flashlight market with digital components and strobing capabilities, and the Integrated Tourniquet System (I.T.S.) which provides security, military and law enforcement with a quick-access, built-in tourniquet system to stem blood loss in limbs during combat situations.

After a seventeen year run, Mr. Noell had successfully positioned BLACKHAWK! for acquisition to ATK and in 2010 and Mr. Noell retired to spend time with his family. His decision to establish M3 “investing in America” provides a new pivotal role to pursue his passion and love of developing and growing companies by providing them with the productive and effective leadership skills, tools and resources to become brand leaders.

“I have always felt a deep respect and commitment to the men and women who serve our country and our communities. It is an honor to develop and produce products that can withstand any mission from the tortures of battle to the rigors of outdoor adventures,” Mike Noell, CEO of M3 “Investing in America” commented. “We are currently pursuing any potential relationships with like-minded companies.”

For more information on how M3 “Investing in America” helps growing companies contact Mike Noell atM.Noell@M3inv.com.

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