Dive Brief:
- Consumer-focused private equity firm Brentwood Associates has acquired education product developer, manufacturer, distributor, and multi-channel retailer Excelligence Learning Corporation.
- Excelligence is one of the top distributors for pre-K and elementary school products and is best known for its “Discount School Supply” brand and arts and crafts products.
- According to Brentwood partner Eric Reiter, the Los Angeles-based firm will continue to grow Excelligence "in such areas as product innovation, catalog and digital marketing, operational excellence across its global distribution and fulfillment platform, and strategic acquisitions."
Dive Insight:
As more states implement universal pre-K programs and the focus shifts to early learning opportunities, the acquisition couldn't have come at a more opportune time. As Brentwood partner Steve Moore put it, “With a recovering economic backdrop and continued, research-based support for the powerful and positive societal impact of early childhood learning, we feel the basis for growth at Excelligence has never been better.”
Brentwood does not specialize in education. Other recent acquisitions include Marshall Retail Group and Z Gallerie.