Resource Partners invests in 7ANNA, creators of premium bicycle brands
On April 19th 2021, Resource Partners and the owners of 7Anna announced the execution of an investment agreement that will strengthen further growth of the Polish company active in premium bicycle market segments. After completion, the founders of 7Anna will continue their current key management roles in the company, while Resource Partners will become the majority shareholder.
Since its inception back in 2001, 7Anna designs, manufactures and distributes high quality bicycles and components across all major European and North American markets under its own brands. The radical heritage of “NS Bikes” is supplemented with the elegance and beauty of “Creme Cycles”, while the award-winning “Rondo” bicycles represent the new face of drop bar cycling. Together they create a complete premium product portfolio within the MTB, City and Gravel/Road bicycles market segments.
“I am very happy that we are given the opportunity to support such strong brands in their further expansion into fast-growing market segments. We remain impressed by the innovative culture of 7Anna making it a strong player in several premium niche markets, competing successfully against other global brands. As a consumer-focused investor, we are experienced in strengthening companies based in Poland in their expansion in export markets, where 7Anna has already demonstrated enormous levels of success. The passion for cycling combined with professional management allowed 7Anna to establish international presence and visibility of their brands, while we hope to support the business scale-up and further development of the distribution network.” says Piotr Noceń – Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Resource Partners.
“With Resource Partners on board we shall continue our strategy to develop and deliver unique, innovative products to cycling enthusiasts worldwide. The emergence of a strong and well suited financial partner will allow us to scale our growth and develop sales globally while preserving our core values and supporting the vision of the organization.
We felt that the chemistry was right from the very beginning - the people behind Resource Partners love bikes, just like we do, and have an in-depth understanding of what lies behind our success. We believe that this is a key factor to retaining the DNA of our brands in the future.” says Szymon Kobyliński, Founder and CEO of 7Anna.
“The transaction with Resource Partners takes place in a historic moment for the cycling industry. We are witnessing an unprecedented boom which is not a fad or pandemic-related spike, but a new lifestyle that’s here to stay. Our new partnership is a great opportunity for us to take advantage of this global trend and allow us to scale our business accordingly.” says Maciej Kempa, Co-Founder, head of Creme.
Resource Partners was advised by Effi Investments, DLA Piper, TS Partners, KPT and Ramboll.
7Anna and their shareholders were advised by KLPartnerzy law firm and Movens Capital. As part of the transaction, Movens Capital will also become shareholder in 7anna and will support its growth through its newly established Movens Growth Equity fund.
RESOURCE PARTNERS
Resource Partners is an independent private equity investment company, founded in 2009 by a team of experienced managers who previously conducted similar investments in leading regional and international financial institutions and funds. So far, Resource Partners have invested almost EUR 300 million in the development of several medium-sized companies in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries.
Resource Partners is the only representative of the private equity sector in the region, specializing in investments in the consumer goods and services sector. It has extensive experience, especially in the area of processing and production, documented by numerous successful investments. Resource Partners funds invest in rapidly developing companies with experienced management, and support them with its expertise in managing rapid organic growth, dynamic foreign expansion, and acquisitions.
7ANNA
The company was founded in 2001 by former Polish rock star Szymon Kobyliński and his wife. Having played in one of the most popular music bands in the country throughout the whole of the 90’s, he decided to focus on bikes, his other passion next to music that he had been pursuing over the years. The company started out as a distributor of various British and American components but soon directed its attention to developing its house brands. After the successful launch of two mountain bike brands, NS Bikes (2004) and Octane One (2008), 7Anna created Creme city bikes (2010) and then made a splash with Rondo road and gravel bikes in 2017.
Under this new agreement 7Anna will continue to operate independently with Szymon Kobyliński as the CEO and the current management team in place.
Resource Partners media contact: 7Anna media contact:
Piotr Noceń Szymon Kobyliński
piotr.nocen@resourcepartners.eu szymon@7anna.com.pl
+48 601 812 792 +48 601 645 561
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