Houlihan Lokey Advises Equistone Partners

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone) has sold its portfolio company, Sport Group TopCo GmbH (Sport Group) to U.S.-based private equity firm KPS Capital Partners, LP (KPS). The transaction was completed on 8 July 2024.

Headquartered in Burgheim, Germany, Sport Group is a leading global provider of artificial sport surfaces, offering innovative artificial turf as well as polyurethane products. With its highly recognized brand portfolio, including AstroTurf and Polytan, the company caters to both sport flooring and leisure and landscaping applications. Sport Group is a partner of choice for flagship customers such as FIFA, FIH, and the U.S. Open. The company employs 1,900 staff and operates nine manufacturing facilities in total across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. The Equistone Funds acquired Sport Group in 2015, and since then completed nine add-on acquisitions.

Founded in 1991, New York-headquartered KPS Capital Partners is a private equity firm specializing in manufacturing and industrial investments. With more than 30 years of experience, KPS has a proven track record in acquiring and enhancing companies across diverse industries, including basic materials, branded consumer goods, healthcare, luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment, and general manufacturing. KPS has successfully completed more than 110 controlling investments through six institutional investment funds.