MIAMI, FL – (September 2, 2015) Trivest Partners (“Trivest”) today announced that its affiliate, HandStands, has acquired California Scents from its co-founder and owner Linda Doppes. California Scents is a leading manufacturer and distributor of home and automotive air fresheners, and is well known for its “powerful scents in a little can.”
HandStands CEO Chris Anderson stated, “We have long admired the quality products, unique in-house fragrance blending capabilities, and the enthusiastic customer base that California Scents has been known for over the years. Moreover, California Scent’s USA-based manufacturing, deep retailer relationships and talented base of employees represents a complimentary fit for HandStands.”
Russ Wilson, Trivest partner and HandStands Chairman, added, “The acquisition of California Scents gives HandStands access to a strong line of well-respected products and provides entry into incremental domestic and international distribution channels. The HandStands team is excited to leverage the combined platform for the benefit of the Company’s retail partners.”
The California Scents purchase is HandStands’ second acquisition in 2015 (following Lexol earlier in the year), and the company intends to continue its strong upward trajectory through additional add-on acquisitions, along with continued organic growth.
About HandStands:
HandStands was founded in 1983, and is headquartered in Draper, Utah; its brands include: Refresh Your Car! ®, Bahama & Co.®, DRIVEN® and Lexol®, which can be found in Mass, Grocery, Hardware and Automotive Parts retailers throughout the world. HandStands holds the #1 spot in U.S. market share*, in units sold, for automotive air fresheners with its Refresh Your Car! ®, Bahama & Co.® and DRIVEN® branded products. For additional information, please visit www.handstands.com. *[Source: NPD Group, 52 WE 8/1/2015 –Retail Tracking Service].
About Trivest:
Trivest Partners is a private investment firm that focuses on partnering with founder/family owned businesses in the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1981, Trivest has completed more than 225 transactions, totaling in excess of $5.5 billion in value. For additional information, please visit www.trivest.com.
