Houlihan Lokey Advises U.S. Patriot Tactical

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that U.S. Patriot Tactical (USP), a premier military and law enforcement supplier, has been acquired by Galls, LLC, a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction closed on May 31, 2022.

Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, and founded in 2000, U.S. Patriot Tactical is a leading omnichannel military and law enforcement supplier operating over 63 retail stores worldwide, providing products and gear for U.S. military service members, law enforcement professionals, and tactical operators. With 54 on-base locations, nine off-base locations, a robust online platform, and 270 employees, U.S. Patriot Tactical has maintained a singular focus on serving as a leader in the tactical merchandise market across the globe.

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, and founded in 1967, Galls represents the largest distributor of uniforms and equipment to public safety personnel, including police, fire, EMS, private security, corrections, federal/military, and postal personnel. Each year, more than one million men and women depend on Galls for their essential and robust selection of equipment and apparel, ranging from customized uniforms, sunglasses, and boots/shoes to body armor, handcuffs, medical kits, and light bars. Galls has an associate team of 1,500-plus based throughout the United States that services customers through an award-winning national catalog, convenient e-commerce site, more than 125 dedicated sales reps, 80 locations, and the eQuip agency online solution. Galls first entered the U.S. military individual market in 2017 with the acquisition of Patriot Outfitters.

Based in Boston and New York, Charlesbank Capital Partners is a middle-market private investment firm with more than $15 billion of capital raised since inception. Charlesbank Capital Partners focuses on management-led buyouts and growth capital financings as well as opportunistic credit and technology investments. The firm seeks to build companies with sustainable competitive advantage and excellent prospects for growth.

Houlihan Lokey acted as exclusive financial advisor to USP and assisted in initiating and negotiating the transaction on its behalf. This transaction reinforces Houlihan Lokey's strong global presence and extensive experience in the tactical, defense, and outdoor sectors, demonstrating the team’s exceptional success rate and continued momentum in an unprecedented global M&A environment.