SHOCK DOCTOR ACQUIRED BY BREGAL PARTNERS


Minnetonka, MN – Shock Doctor Inc. (“Shock Doctor Sports” or “the Company”), a global leader in mouthguard technology and an innovator of sports protective and performance gear, announced today that it has been acquired by Bregal Partners, a leading middle market New York-based private equity firm. Bregal’s investment is in partnership with Shock Doctor Sports’ management; financial terms were not disclosed.

Trusted by athletes around the world who demand performance and protection, Shock Doctor Sports owns two brands: Shock Doctor, the number one mouthguard company in the world for over 15 years and creators of sports protection gear for hockey, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, martial arts, boxing, and lacrosse, amongst other sports; and Cutters Gloves, an industry leading line of performance gloves and accessories for football and baseball made with exclusive C-TACK™ Performance Grip Material. 

The new partnership with Bregal creates a platform from which Shock Doctor Sports can fuel growth and increase its role as a significant player in the global performance and protective sports equipment market. With a loyal fan base and meticulous focus on quality and innovation, Shock Doctor Sports has been one of the fastest growing sporting goods companies in the world.  The Company’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology changed the way athletes view protective gear. 

“Shock Doctor’s groundbreaking, well-designed products have made protection not something athletes have to wear but want to wear,” commented Shock Doctor Sports Chief Executive Officer, Tony Armand. “We have had an amazing investment partnership over the last six years with Norwest Equity Partners, and now as we look forward to our next phase of growth, our entire Shock Doctor team is thrilled to partner with Bregal Partners. Bregal brings a unique blend of consumer and healthcare investment experience that will undoubtedly help us achieve our growth objectives and continued success.”

Bregal Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Robert Bergmann, noted, “We see a great opportunity for Shock Doctor to continue to revolutionize the $9 billion global market for performance and protective equipment with new, innovative, and distinctive products.  Beyond entering new categories, the Company should also benefit from overall market growth and an ability to acquire other industry participants.”  This acquisition also helps to expand Bregal’s consumer healthcare portfolio.

 Bergmann added that the transaction gives Bregal a chance to work together for a second time with Armand. “We are also delighted to have the opportunity to again partner with Tony as we’ve had a 15-year relationship.  The talent and track record of both Tony and the Shock Doctor management team is a key reason we are so excited about the transaction.” 
Tim Kuehl, a partner at Norwest Equity Partners, stated, “We had a very successful investment partnership with Tony and the entire Shock Doctor team. Together we worked hard to increase our position as a market leader in the performance and protective equipment category, created and acquired new products lines which helped to nearly triple overall revenue. Shock Doctor Sports is well-positioned for continued growth and success under Tony Armand’s leadership and with their new investment partner.”
William Blair & Company and Lindquist & Vennum represented Norwest Equity Partners, and Dechert LLP represented Bregal Partners in this transaction. 
About Shock Doctor Sports
Shock Doctor Sports is a leading manufacturer of protective and performance sports equipment.  With a relentless focus on innovation and technology, its products are trusted by athletes, from youth to amateur to professional, across a growing number of sports.  Shock Doctor Sports has the world’s leading mouthguard product line and also provides a full continuum of superior athletic products, including core protective, compression, performance sports therapy, sports gloves (under the Cutters® brand), and insoles.  Its products are sold through major sporting goods retailers, independent dealers, online retailers, and health care professionals throughout the United States and around the globe.  For more information on Shock Doctor Sports, please visit www.shockdoctor.com and www.cuttersgloves.com.

About Bregal Partners
Bregal Partners is a private investment firm that invests alongside management teams to build industry leading companies in the middle market. Areas of focus include energy services, consumer, food and retail, and healthcare. With $500 million of committed capital funded by a sixth-generation family foundation with roots back to 1841, Bregal Partners brings experience, stability, and a long-term outlook to all of its investment activities.  Bregal Partners is part of Bregal Investments, a global family of private equity and fund investment vehicles that has invested more than $9 billion since 2002. For more information on Bregal Partners, please visit www.bregalpartners.com.


About Norwest Equity Partners
As a leading equity investment firm since 1961, Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) partners with middle market business owners and their management teams to make growing, profitable companies into industry leaders. With nearly $5 billion in capital under management, NEP seeks $30mm-$150mm investment opportunities with a variety of industry sectors, including agriculture, applied technology, business services, consumer products and services, diversified industrials and healthcare. NEP is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information on NEP, please visit www.nep.com.


Shock Doctor Announces 2nd Annual Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Fearless Performance Tour


     

SHOCK DOCTOR SPORTS ANNOUNCES 2nd ANNUAL
SHOCK DOCTOR AND CUTTERS GLOVES FEARLESS PERFORMANCE TOUR
Expanded Tour Offers Education, Sports Protection and Athlete Safety for Coaches, Parents and Athletes of All Ages


Shock Doctor Sports, the #1 mouthguard company in the world and leader in performance-driven sports protection gear and apparel with brands Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves, has kicked off a 12 month tour across the country to bring the Shock Doctor Sports mantra of “Hardcore Protection, Fearless Performance” to life.  Inspiring and educating athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of athlete protection and sports safety, Shock Doctor Sports has expanded the 2nd annual Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Fearless Performance Tour, to include more states, more events and more sports. 

Safe Kids Worldwide, a non-profit advocacy group, released a survey in 2013 showing that young athletes visit hospital emergency rooms more than a million times a year for sports related injuries.  With participation in organized sports on the rise, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Shock Doctor believes it more important than ever for youth athletes, coaches and parents to learn about performance and protection gear so that they can play with confidence every practice and every game.

“The Shock Doctor Sports message is simple:  When kids feel protected and confident on the field, they perform better and have more fun,” says Tony Armand, CEO of Shock Doctor Sports. “We want to educate athletes to take charge and protect themselves on the field, ice or court so that they can play their best.”
Making stops at sporting events across the country, the 2014 Tour will add lacrosse, soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball and triathlon events.  Also scheduled to stop at football and baseball events, the Tour will make special retail appearances in select markets as well. Some of the notable event stops on the Fearless Performance Tour include College World Series, Omaha SlumpBuster, Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, NSSSA State Championships, NSSSA GLOBAL WORLD SERIES, USA Hockey High School National Championship Tournament, 2014 FIL Men's World Championships, National Youth Football Championship Tournament, and Pop Warner Super Bowl and Dance Championship

The Tour will feature a custom Tour van wrapped in Cutters Glove and Shock Doctor product images, canopies featuring product displays, and giant blow up “Orange Guys” that stand over 10 feet tall. The Tour will also be accompanied by a field manager that will interact and educate consumers, as well as a real life “Orange Guy”, who acts as a walking mannequin and entertainment for Tour-goers. The Orange Guy often takes photos with athletes, throws out the first ball or puck of the tournament, dances and has fun with the players.

With the company’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology, both Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves have expanded their line of protective gear and performance apparel to cover more athletes, in more sports, and at all levels.  The interactive exhibit is designed for athletes to learn about the technology, fit, usability, and the best options for their needs, including more about the following product lines:
·      Cutters new Football Receiver Gloves
·      Shock Doctor Mouthguards including the new flavored line, Flavor Fusion
·      Shock Doctor Performance Sports Therapy
·      Shock Doctor Performance Apparel
·      Shockskin Impact Gear
·      Shock Doctor Protective Accessories
·      And more, including sport specific products
Shock Doctor and Cutters Glove products will also be available to purchase.

Using the social media hashtag, #FPtour, Tour visitors can create their own Cutters Gloves using the BYOG (Build Your Own Glove) kiosk, which they can share via Twitter to be put into a drawing each month to win their custom designed gloves.

Shock Doctor and Cutters have also enlisted their Pro Athletes to be ambassadors of athlete safety, including: Akeem Ayres: Linebacker, Tennessee Titans (NFL); Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers (NFL); Kiko Alonso: Linebacker, Buffalo Bills (NFL); Yoenis Céspedes: Outfielder, Oakland Athletics (MLB); Carlos Santana: Catcher, Cleveland Indians (MLB); Wilin Rosario: Catcher, Colorado Rockies (MLB);  Nick Leddy: Defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL); Jack Johnson: Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets  (NHL); among others.

For a complete list of Fearless Performance Tour stops, go to Shock Doctor’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shockdoctor. Updates and additions to the schedule will be posted online throughout the run of the tour at www.shockdoctor.com.



About Shock Doctor Inc.
Shock Doctor is a leading manufacturer of protective and performance sports equipment.  With a relentless focus on innovation and technology, its products are trusted by athletes, from youth to amateur to professional, across a growing number of sports.  Shock Doctor has the best-in-class mouthguard product line and also provides a full continuum of superior athletic products, including core protective, compression, performance sports therapy, sports gloves (under the Cutters® brand), and insoles.  Its products are sold through major sporting goods retailers, independent dealers, online retailers, and health care professionals throughout the United States and around the globe.  For more information on Shock Doctor, please visit www.shockdoctor.com and www.cuttersgloves.com.





Rookie Defensive Phenomenon, Kiko Alonso, Signs With Cutters Gloves



 ROOKIE DEFENSIVE PHENOMENON KIKO ALONSO
SIGNS WITH CUTTERS GLOVES 
  
MINETONKA, Minn. --  Cutters Gloves is proud to announce that it has added NFL defensive rookie sensation, Kiko Alonso of the Buffalo Bills, to its roster of professional endorsees.  The middle linebacker from the University of Oregon signed a three-year deal with Cutters, where he will join a star-studded list of professional football and baseball players who turn to Cutters Gloves for the ultimate in performance, grip and durability.

Cutters is turning heads across all professional and amateur sports with recent innovations in its proprietary C-TACK™ Performance Grip material.  The company announced that a new line of game changing football gloves, to include the REV and REV PRO, will hit retail stores in March of 2014.  Professional players from the NFL were part of the development and testing of the new line, and as word spread about their superior performance, players have been lining up to get their hands on--or more accurately, IN--the new gloves.

In just the eighth week of his rookie season, Kiko Alonso is second in the NFL in tackles having notched 81 to date, including a blistering performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in which he racked up 22 tackles, the second most tackles in a single game in NFL history.  On top of that, Alonso has shown that he has great hands with his four interceptions, a number that ties for the NFL lead this season.

"Kiko Alonso is a very special and very rare talent," said Tony Armand, CEO of Shock Doctor Sports and Cutters Gloves.  "He is a complete athlete who is unwavering in his dedication to his sport and to his team, and he is the epitome of integrity and fearless performance on and off the field."

Added Armand, "Kiko has a bright future as a professional athlete, and we at Cutters and Shock Doctor are thrilled to have him on our team."

Alonso currently wears the Cutters X40 gloves, and he will wear a custom version of the Cutters REV gloves for the 2014 season, designed in the color scheme of the Buffalo Bills.  Consumer versions of the line will be in stores in March of 2014, just in time for Spring passing leagues and other training camps.

The all new REV line of lightweight gloves that will be worn by Alonso and other professional players are designed with advanced fit, flexibility, progressive levels of palm-conforming constructions, and the legendary C-TACK extreme grip technology that has made Cutters the industry leader in performance gloves.  The line has models for players of all abilities, including the REV PRO 3D in adult sizes, and the REV PRO and the REV models that are available in both youth and adult sizes.
  
ABOUT KIKO ALONSO
Kiko Alonso attended the University of Oregon, where he played for the Oregon Ducks football team from 2008 to 2012. After redshirting in 2008, he spent the 2009 season as Oregon's primary reserve middle linebacker. He appeared in the final 12 games, accumulating 13 of his 16 tackles unassisted.  Alonso was named the 2012 Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game with one interception and five tackles, including career-highs of 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. In his final season, he started in all 13 games and earned second team all-conference honors while recording 87 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, seven pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
On April 26, 2013, Alonso was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (46th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Alonso made an immediate impact for the Bills notching 9 tackles in his first NFL regular season game against the New England Patriots.  The next week against the Carolina Panthers, Alonso had a total of 10 tackles, 1 interception, and a sack to lead the Bills to their first win of the season.  With an interception against the New York Jets in week 3, Alonso became the first Bills player to record an interception in back to back games since Jairus Byrd in 2009.

On October 3, 2013, Alonso was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for the month of September.

In a Week 6 game vs. Cincinnati, Alonso had the biggest game of his young career, where he recorded 22 tackles. Although Buffalo lost in overtime, Alonso got nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week for the second time of his career.
  
ABOUT CUTTERS GLOVES
Cutters Gloves® manufactures, markets, distributes and sells an industry leading line of gloves and accessories for football and other sports including baseball, fitness, golf and soccer. Made with their exclusive C-TACK™ Performance Grip Material, Cutters Gloves are crafted from the highest quality materials for the best performance and durability.  Cutters Gloves are also sold in 15 countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 110 Cheshire Lane, Suite 120, Minnetonka, MN 55305.  For more information, visitwww.CuttersGloves.com. 

Shock Doctor Sports Launches A Pink Gear Giveaway To Promote Breast Cancer Awareness


  
SHOCK DOCTOR SPORTS LAUNCHES A PINK GEAR GIVEAWAY
 TO PROMOTE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Cutters Gloves and Shock Doctor to Give Away 1500 Limited Run Pink Performance Gear,
Donation Will Be Made to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.


MINNETONKA, Minn. (July 30, 2013) - Cutters Gloves andShock Doctor, both brands of Shock Doctor Sports, proudly announces their Pink Gear Giveaway, a 2013 breast cancer awareness campaign. 1500 limited run and custom pink protective and performance gear products from both companies will be given away from August 1 - 30.  As part of the efforts to raise awareness of the disease amongst athletes, Shock Doctor Sports is getting the word out in August, when many athletes are breaking in new gear for the upcoming fall season.
  
With pink protective products available in stores and online through October, recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide, Shock Doctor Sports will donate to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. in an effort to provide continued breast cancer research, education and support.

Darci Eckermann, Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Director of Marketing says, "Breast cancer awareness has never been more prevalent in sports than it is now, and it is extremely important that we continue to educate young athletes about the importance of 'pink'." 

1500 Cutters Gloves and Shock Doctor Products Giveaway Details: For the first time in Shock Doctor Sports history, the company will offer consumers the chance to win pink Shock Doctor mouthguards, as well as pink Cutters Gloves. To start the season off right, athletes are encouraged to enter the promotion via Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Facebook pages. 
  • Shock Doctor will host their pink mouthguard giveaway from August 1-15, with fans entering to win on the Shock Doctor Facebook page at facebook.com/shockdoctor. Fans can enter daily for a chance to win a pink mouthguard of their choice.   
  • From August 16-31 fans can enter to win Cutters Gloves on the Cutters Facebook Page to win. facebook.com/cuttersgloves. Athletes of any age can enter daily for a chance to win a pair of pink x40 receiver gloves.


Fans of Cutters and Shock Doctor are encouraged to enter daily to try to win.  Winners are randomly selected and are notified immediately if they won. For those who won, they will be given a promo code that they can enter at www.shockdoctor.com/promotion/ to receive a free pair of pink gloves or mouthguards. 

For more information about the National Breast Cancer Foundation or the Pink Gear Giveaway, please visit the newly designed Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves micrositewww.shockdoctor.com/promotion/, where the complete line of pink protective gear is available for purchase.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. After increasing for more than 2 decades, female breast cancer incidence rates began decreasing in 2000, then dropped by about 7% from 2002 to 2003 (www.cancer.org).


  

ABOUT NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION, INC. 
NBCF's mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need. This mission includes increasing awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need, and providing nurturing support services. Breast cancer is one of the leading health crises for women in the United States. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There is currently no known cure for breast cancer, and its early diagnosis is critical to survival.http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

ABOUT SHOCK DOCTOR SPORTS
Trusted by youth, amateur, and pro athletes in a growing number of sports including hockey, baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse and more, Shock Doctor Sports manufactures, markets, distributes and sells under the brand names Shock Doctor® and Cutters Gloves®. With an athlete-centric approach, Shock Doctor Sports is committed to developing game-changing technology, revolutionizing the industry and raising the standard for technical and functional performance. The number one mouthguard company in the world for over a decade, Shock Doctor is the undisputed market leader in premier mouthguard technology and is known as the creator of fearless, performance-driven sports protection equipment. Made with their exclusive C-TACK™ Performance Grip Material, Cutters Gloves is an industry leading line of gloves and accessories for football and other sports including baseball, fitness, golf and soccer.  Shock Doctor Sports products are available in over 9000 retail locations in over 50 countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 110 Cheshire Lane, Suite 120, Minnetonka, MN 55305.  For more information, visit www.ShockDoctor.com and www.CuttersGloves.com. 
   
  

All New 2013 Football Protective Apparel & Accessories From Shock Doctor Sports



TAKE THE HIT

SHOCK DOCTOR SPORTS ALL NEW FOOTBALL PROTECTIVE APPAREL
AND ACCESSORIES WILL KEEP YOU IN THE GAME

Comprehensive Line of Performance Protective Apparel and Gear From Shock Doctor and Cutters
Designed Specifically for Football Athletes at Every Level of Competition
  
Minneapolis, MN – This football season, Shock Doctor Sports’ Shock Doctor and Cutters brands present a comprehensive all-new line of performance protective apparel and accessories that will allow athletes at every level of the game to play with the confidence of champion.

“The 2013 Shock Doctor Sports football protective collection specifically addresses the needs of today’s football athlete from head to toe,” says Jay Turkbas, Vice President, Product Development and Marketing for Shock Doctor. “From our industry-defining mouthguards, which are also the Official Mouthguard of USA Football, to our protective apparel, Cutters C-Tack grip gloves and the all-new Cleat Insole, we are offering athletes the protection and performance they need to execute at the highest level.”

Designed to meet the specific needs of the football athlete, the Shock Doctor Sports football product line provides maximum range of motion, cutting-edge technology and materials, flexibility and ultimate protection, which are both essential in a game that is being played faster and harder than ever before. 

The Shock Doctor football collection can be broken into four categories:

APPAREL – Featuring the NEW Ultra Shockskin 3-Pad and 5-Pad shirt and shorts

ACCESSORIES – Mouthguards, Chin Straps, Knee/Elbow and Forearm guards

PERFORMANCE SPORTS THERAPY – Wraps and braces for Knee, Ankle, Elbow, Wrist and Shoulder

INSOLES – Shock Doctor’s revolutionary Cleat Insoles is designed specifically to provide comfort and additional support in cleats.

Cutters:
GLOVES - Cutters receiver and lineman gloves featuring their exclusive C-Tack Technology

The latest technology and innovation present in all of the Shock Doctor Sports 2013 football products will be put to the test this season by Tennessee Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers and San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. Both primed for breakout seasons, Ayers and Mathews are proud to serve as brand ambassadors for Shock Doctor both on and off the field. 

“Shock Doctor Sports quality, hi-performance products allow me to play with confidence and get the results I am looking for on the field,” says Ayers.

Below is the complete Shock Doctor Football line for 2013:

APPAREL
ULTRA SHOCKSKIN FOOTBALL 5-PAD IMPACT SHIRT
$69.99 Adult/ $64.99 Youth

ULTRA SHOCKSKINFOOTBALL 3-PAD IMPACT SHIRT
$59.99 Adult/$54.99 Youth

ULTRA SHOCKSKIN FOOTBALL 5-PAD EXTENDED THIGH SHORT
$64.99 Adult/$59.99 Youth

ULTRA SHOCKSKIN FOOTBALL 3+2 PAD IMPACT SHORT
$49.99 Adult/$44.99 Youth

ACCESORIES
CUTTERS X40 C-TACK Revolution™, $29.99
 

S60 SHOCKSKIN™ GAMER, $54.99

S90 SHOCKSKIN™ LINEMAN, $64.99

LOW PROFILE LIP GUARD MOUTHGUARD, $19.99

ULTRA BRACES $29.99 & ULTRA DOUBLE BRACES $34.99


ULTRA CARBON CHIN STRAP, $19.99



PERFORMANCE SPORTS THERAPY
WRIST SLEEVE-WRAP EXTENDED SUPPORT WITH GRIPPER PALM, $34.99

SHOCKSKIN FOREARM GUARD, $24.99

SHOCKSKIN KNEE/ELBOW GUARD, $24.99


ULTRA GEL LACE ANKLE SUPPORT - $29.99 – TOP SELLER!!
 

INSOLES
LOW PROFILE CLEAT INSOLE - $19.99