Rainier Industries Acquires OAI Visual Branding
NASHVILLE, TN – March 9, 2023 – LFM Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses, announced today that portfolio company Rainier Industries (“Rainier”) has acquired the assets of Outdoor America Images, Inc. (“OAI Visual Branding”, “OAI” or “the Company”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Rainier is a leading provider of high-quality, custom display solutions and environmental graphics for athletic, exposition, retail, hospitality, and other end markets. Rainier also manufactures residential and commercial shade and shelter solutions. The company is headquartered in Tukwila, Washington with additional manufacturing facilities in Statesville, North Carolina, and Middletown, New York. Rainier has been a portfolio company of LFM since October 2021.
Based in Tampa, Florida, OAI is a manufacturer of branded display solutions for college and professional sports organizations in addition to out-of-home (“OOH”) advertising, event, and facility customers. The Company’s key capabilities include grand format and large format printing, dye sublimation, design, dimensional fabrication, project management, and installation.
OAI Founder Michael Garcia commented, “Since OAI’s founding in 1989, the Company has supplied creative visual branding solutions that enhance brand identity for our loyal customer base. Our new partnership with Rainier will offer customers a single, full-service solution across the print, dimensional, and installation elements that drive a seamless experience for sports fans, event attendees, and others.”
Rainier CEO Chris Inverso added, “We have long admired OAI’s printing and production expertise and we are thrilled to add OAI to the Rainier platform. Together, we will provide a fully integrated suite of services while still executing independent strategies at a national level.”
Ken Hoefling, LFM Operating Partner, noted, “OAI and Rainier Display both have strong reputations for quality and customer service in the sports, advertising, and environmental graphics end markets. We look forward to joining the two organizations, integrating their complementary products, resources, and capabilities to reach an exciting next stage of expansion.”
LFM Managing Director Chris Lin and Vice President Tucker Cowden worked with Hoefling on the transaction from LFM, and LFM Senior Associate, Ryan Richardson sourced the transaction.
About LFM Capital
LFM Capital is a private equity firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. The LFM team is led by experienced and successful Fortune 50 global executive managers and private equity professionals who bring decades of management leadership, operating best practices, exceptional professional recruiting networks, and a successful track record in lower middle market investing. LFM targets lead or control investments in U.S.-based lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services companies with at least $3 million of EBITDA and enterprise values ranging from $15 million to $125 million. The firm’s mission is to partner with portfolio company management to develop and build world-class operations through a combination of manufacturing and operations excellence and targeted growth and expansion strategies. For additional information, please visit www.lfmcapital.com.
About Rainier Industries
Founded in 1896, Rainier Industries (originally named Puget Sound Tent and Duck) built canvas tents for prospectors headed to Alaska for the Klondike Gold Rush. The company expanded into manufacturing awnings and in 1992, changed its name to Rainier Industries.
Currently, Rainier is composed of three divisions, including Display, Shade, and Shelter, and makes a variety of products that improve lives and lifestyles. From wall tents, yurts and cottages to retractable power screens and awnings, branded environments and experiential marketing elements, commercial tents, and industrial products, Rainier uses visionary creativity, unique engineering, and precision manufacturing to make leading Display, Shade, and Shelter products on the market. For more information, please visit www.rainier.com.
About OAI
Based in Tampa, Florida, OAI is a manufacturer of branded display solutions for college and professional sports in addition to out-of-home (“OOH”) advertising, event, and facility solutions. The Company’s key capabilities include grand format and large format printing, dye sublimation, design, dimensional fabrication, project management, and installation. For more information, please visit https://www.oaicorp.com.