(January 17, 2017) -- PrideSports, a manufacturer and
provider of golf traction elements, golf tees and other
golf-related accessories, has merged with MacNeill
Engineering, maker of long-time AmateurGolf.com
sponsor Champ spikes, to create a new holding
company, MacNeill Pride Group.
The new company will be the largest global
designer, manufacturer and distributor of replaceable
sport and industrial cleats and other golf accessories.
PrideSports, a portfolio company of middle-market
private equity firm Centre Partners, is a leading supplier
of golf cleats, golf tees and accessories to OEMs,
retailers and pro shops worldwide, and is the largest
American producer of wooden tees out of its
manufacturing operations in the state of Maine. MacNeill
Engineering is a Marlborough, MA-based manufacturer
and provider of metal and plastic traction components
found in shoes across a broad range of sports –
including football, baseball, soccer, track, lacrosse,
rugby, cricket and golf. A fourth-generation family
business, MacNeill Engineering was founded in 1931 by
Harold MacNeill and over the last 80 years has evolved
into the preeminent supplier of traction elements to the
world’s largest sports footwear companies.
“The merger of PrideSports and MacNeill
Engineering is an exciting development for everyone
associated with our companies,” said Joe Zeller,
president and CEO of the newly combined entity.
“PrideSports will take the best of both organizations to
provide world-class traction technology across a myriad
of field sports. The Champ brand is globally renowned
for its performance in golf, soccer, football, track and
other field sports and we look forward to bringing it
together with our Softspikes line of golf cleats and
accessories. We will continue to look for opportunities
that help to position the company for enhanced growth
and performance in the future.”
Harris MacNeill, president and CEO of MacNeill
Engineering, said, “Both companies have a deep history
of innovation in the sports industry and the merged
PrideSports will position the new entity for continued
success. Original equipment manufacturers, retailers
and athletes will all benefit from strengthened R&D,
increased distribution, reduced SKU counts and a robust
infrastructure that enhances customer service.”
The newly merged company will be headquartered
at PrideSports’ existing offices in Brentwood, TN. Each
brand will maintain its respective identity following the
merger, with Champ’s PiviX, Zarma and Stinger cleats,
as well as Softspikes’ Pulsar, Silver Tornado and Stealth
models, all boasting unique attributes to serve
individual customer preference. Both brands have won
top awards from Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, World
Soccer, Soccer America, Baseball America and other key
media outlets. Together, MacNeill Pride Group will look
to grow upon this legacy.
State-of-the-art, premium cleats and fastening
systems from Champ and Softspikes are used by
professional and amateur athletes around the world and
regularly worn by competitors in the Olympics, World
Series, Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, Ryder Cup and
other high-profile events. Products are designed for the
unique rigors of golf, soccer, baseball, football, track &
field and many other sports, with technologies and
applications that extend into cycling, fishing, ice sports
and industrial segments.
Editors Note: This article was written by SGB Media