Bell Acquired by Fenway Partners,
Merged with Riddell
In August of 2004 Bell Sports announced that the company is being sold to Fenway Partners, Inc. Fenway plans to merge Bell with the Riddell Sports Group, the country's largest football helmet supplier.
The Bell press release states that the new company will be the biggest seller of protective headgear in the world, producing more than 8 million helmets per year under the brand names Bell, Giro and Riddell.
Bill Fry, president and CEO of Bell Sports, will be the president and CEO of the new company. The company name has not yet been announced. Choice of a name may be complicated by the need to preserve the brand recognition advantages that both companies enjoy in their markets.
In addition to Riddell, Fenway Partners' portfolio includes a school yearbook and class ring manufacturer, a luxury jewelry retailer and Simmons matresses.
We have more background on Bell Sports and links to other articles on our page on manufacturers.
This page was last revised on: August 17, 2004.
Contact us.
|