Marubeni Growth Capital US Makes Inaugural Investment, Acquiring RG Barry Brands to Serve as Cornerstone of Next Generation Multi-Brand Platform

STAMFORD, Conn.--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Marubeni Growth Capital US (MGCU), a consumer-focused growth equity investment platform in the US and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation, today announced its inaugural investment with the acquisition of RG Barry Brands (RGB). This landmark acquisition catalyzes MGCU's creation of a multi-brand platform as active investors and operating partners.

RGB is a brand management platform developed to accelerate growth and innovation for lifestyle consumer brands. Founded in 1947 by Florence Melton, RGB launched a suite of comfortable lifestyle products under the Dearfoams brand, which has since grown to become the leading slipper brand in the United States, expanding its offerings to include comfortable footwear and lifestyle products. RGB has continued its success through its acquisition of functional and fashionable bag brand Baggallini in 2011, development of its private label offering through Columbus Product Group in 2019 and launch of regenerative lifestyle brand Planet A in 2023. RGB's consumer-driven and data-centric approach, combined with its multi-channel distribution, enables the Company to deliver retailers and end-consumers with functional, innovative, high-quality product selections focused on modern day demand.

With this strategic investment, MGCU aims to leverage the strength of the platform to unlock new growth opportunities. "Acquiring RGB as our first investment is a significant milestone for Marubeni Growth Capital US," said Taylor Rettig, President at MGCU. "We see tremendous potential in RGB and are excited to partner with Bob and his current team to build through organic and inorganic growth. This acquisition jumpstarts our vision of building a next-generation consumer brand holding company, as we believe that scale and operating leverage are critical differentiators in an increasingly fragmented marketplace."

Under the leadership of MGCU, RGB will continue to prioritize innovation and customer satisfaction while exploring new avenues for expansion. "We are thrilled to embark on this journey with MGCU," said Robert Mullaney, CEO of RGB. "This partnership will enable us to leverage MGCU's resources and expertise to further strengthen our market position and pursue new growth-oriented opportunities. Together, we will build a platform for long-term success and value creation."

The acquisition closed on June 4, 2024 following customary regulatory approvals. As part of the transaction, Blackstone will fully exit its ownership position and Mill Road Capital will maintain a minority equity stake.

About Marubeni and MGCU:

Marubeni Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo with a presence in 67 countries and 131 branches and offices worldwide, established the Next Generation Corporate Development Division in 2022 to capture the growth of consumer businesses in Southeast Asia and the US, aiming to build a new consumer platform to help drive Marubeni’s growth in 2030 and beyond. MGCU was formed in 2023 under Next Generation Corporate Development Division as an investment platform focused on investing in the consumer sector in the US. For more information, visit www.marubeniconsumer.com .

About RG Barry Brands (RGB):

RG Barry Brands (RGB) is a consumer-driven, data-informed, multi-channel, digitally led brand management platform developed to accelerate growth and innovation for lifestyle consumer brands. Founded in 1947 by Florence Melton, RGB introduced a range of comfortable lifestyle products under the Dearfoams brand, capturing the essence of comfort with their slippers. Today, Dearfoams has evolved into the leading slipper brand in the United States, expanding its product line to include comfortable footwear and various lifestyle products. Building on this success, RGB diversified its portfolio with the acquisition of Baggallini in 2011, broadening its focus to create a platform of brands that offer Earth-first, solution-oriented products. Today, RGB Brands include Dearfoams, Baggallini, Columbus Product Group, and Planet A. For more information, visit www.rgbarry.com .

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