December 12, 2016
Swander Pace-backed aden + anais acquires HALO Innovations
San Francisco and New York (December 12, 2016) – aden + anais, a portfolio company of Swander Pace Capital and a leading marketer of soft goods for infants and toddlers, has acquired HALO Innovations (HALO), a leading provider of wearable blankets for babies. HALO is renowned for its award-winning, high-quality products and its commitment to safe sleep for infants. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“HALO is the ideal addition to our company,” said Raegan Moya-Jones, founder of aden + anais. “We have a longstanding history of providing products that stand for safety and high quality, and as longtime admirers of HALO, we believe this acquisition represents an exciting next step for our combined business.”
HALO’s mission was born out of tragedy in 1991 when HALO founder Bill Schmid and his wife lost their first-born to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The mission-driven company continues to focus on putting the health, safety, and wellbeing of babies first, which has resulted in HALO’s recognition as a leader in infant health and safety by several national and international infant safety organizations. Highlights of the HALO product line include its best-selling SleepSack wearable blankets, which are also rated the Number 1 choice of hospitals, and its awardwinning and revolutionary Bassinest Swivel Sleeper. HALO products can be found at retailers such as Target, BuyBuy Baby, Babies R Us, Walmart, and Amazon, among others.
“The founders of HALO have created remarkably effective products with demonstrated success in helping parents keep their children safe,” said Corby Reese, managing director at Swander Pace Capital. “We’re eager to not only continue the successful mission established by HALO’s founder, but to enhance its scope and reach within this sector through the company’s new partnership with aden + anais. Additionally, we look forward to leveraging our strong customer relationships around the world to increase awareness of, and access to, HALO products.”
“This acquisition is a testament to aden + anais’ belief in best-in-class product safety, simplicity, style, and quality,” said Heather Smith Thorne, managing director at Swander Pace Capital. “HALO is a seamless partner in that regard, and we’re excited to add the company and its highly complementary product offering to aden + anais.”
The combined company will be a market leader in juvenile soft goods and will continue to market its products under the aden + anais and HALO brands. Together, the brands are available in over 15,000 retail stores in the U.S. and internationally.
About Swander Pace Capital
Swander Pace Capital (SPC) is a private equity firm that invests in companies that are integral to consumers’ lives. SPC’s consumer industry expertise informs the firm’s strategic approach and adds value through access to its proven SPC Playbook, senior team, and extensive network. The firm partners with management teams to help build companies to their full potential. SPC invests in businesses across three domains of consumer lifestyles: Food + Beverage, Body + Wellness, and Home + Family. With offices in San Francisco, New Jersey, and Toronto, SPC has invested in more than 45 companies and raised cumulative equity commitments of approximately $1.8 billion since 1996. For more information, visit www.spcap.com.
About aden + anais
Since 2006, aden + anais has brought the Australian legacy of cotton muslin to the forefront of modern baby care, offering signature products that combine comfort and safety with style and affordable prices. The award-winning collection includes a full range of multi-purpose swaddles, burpy bibs, dream blankets, sleeping bags, nursery bedding, muslin clothing and more. aden + anais has sold more than 25 million swaddles in 65 countries worldwide. Brand co-founder and CEO Raegan Moya-Jones is recognized for bringing global awareness to the many benefits of swaddling and cotton muslin. She is the author of swaddle love, an entertaining and practical guide full of candid storytelling that explores the history, science, and techniques of swaddling. For more information on aden + anais, please visit www.adenandanais.com.
About HALO Innovations
Based in Minneapolis, HALO Innovations has a singular mission: to help create a healthy and safe sleep environment for people of all ages. Founded in 1994 by William Schmid, who began researching sleeping environments after he lost an infant daughter to SIDS, HALO is dedicated to developing products that set new standards for the safety and improved health of sleeping infants and bringing peace of mind to one’s home. For more information, visit www.halosleep.com.
Media Contacts
For Swander Pace Capital:
Amber Roberts LANE
212-302-5964
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