Incline Equity Partners (“Incline”), a Pittsburgh-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with management to recapitalize Wholesale Supplies Plus (“WSP” or the “Company”). WSP is a value-added distributor of raw materials, supplies and packaging used in the production of soap, lotion, cosmetics and candles as well as other personal care products by professional crafters.
Founded in 1999, WSP was established to provide professional crafters with the highest quality soap making, skincare and candle making supplies. The Company has the industry’s broadest assortment of products, including a variety of proprietary in-house blended soap bases, and provides its customers with resources and support to help them succeed as business owners.
Debbie May, Founder and CEO of WSP, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Incline. This investment will help to accelerate our growth and increase our ability to bring customers the very best products. The handmade industry continues to mature and gaining access to new resources enables us to fulfill our mission of helping our customers succeed.”
“WSP has an exceptional value proposition and is a critical partner to the small and emerging businesses it supplies,” said Evan Weinstein, Partner with Incline. “We are excited to work with Debbie and the team on new growth initiatives that will better the experience for existing and new customers, including capacity expansion, introducing new products and pursuing acquisitions.”
This transaction marks the third platform acquisition for Incline in 2019 and the inaugural investment in Incline’s first fund extension platform, Incline Elevate Fund, L.P. Elevate focuses on executing investments exclusively in the lower middle market.
About Incline Equity Partners:
Incline Equity Partners, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a private equity firm investing in manufacturing, distribution and business services companies. Incline is generally seeking growing companies with enterprise values of $25 – $300 million. Incline’s typical investment types are ownership transitions for privately held businesses, buyouts and corporate divestitures within the U.S. and Canada.
Disclaimer:
Incline Management, L.P. (“IMLP”) is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. IMLP provides investment advisory services only to privately offered funds. IMLP does not solicit or make its services available to the public or other advisory clients. This press release is intended solely to provide information regarding Incline’s potential capabilities for prospective portfolio companies, and is not an offer to sell to any person, or a solicitation from any person of an offer to buy, any securities. The statements contained herein are not statements of any IMLP client fund or investor and do not describe any experience with or endorsement of IMLP as an investment adviser by any such client or investor.
