Private equity group acquires FINS Fishing

BBS Tech, a maker of braided line under the FINS Fishing brand, has been acquired by private investment firm Elvisridge Capital. It will join Blackfin Rods in the company’s portfolio.

BBS, located in Erlanger, Kentucky, is the last remaining domestically-owned and based manufacturer of high-performance fishing line and non-fishing braids such as kayak control lines, spear fishing lines and cords for the automotive industry, said the announcement.

“BBS fits perfectly into our focus on acquiring manufacturing companies in the sportfishing sector and complements our current portfolio company, Blackfin Rods, a manufacturer of American-made quality fishing rods,” said Michael Southard, Managing Director of Elvisridge Capital.

“Our strategy will be to provide capital to increase manufacturing capacity and efficiency, as well as expand distribution and continue to build the FINS brand.”

Lee Burch, President of BBS, said Elvisridge Capital was the ideal partner to continue growing the FINS brand and its OEM business. Burch will continue managing day-to-day operations and will report to Bill Bolton, Vice President at Elvisridge Capital, who oversees the sportfishing segment for Elvisridge Capital.

Elvisridge Capital is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its target investment sectors include sportfishing and landscape products.