Ortholite to be Acquired by Coats Group in $770 Million Deal
Deal News | Jul 21, 2025 | William Blair Capital Partners
Ortholite, a global leader in open-cell foam insoles, is set to be acquired by UK-based Coats Group plc for an enterprise value of $770 million. The acquisition is spearheaded by William Blair, which acted as the financial advisor to Ortholite, a portfolio company of Trilantic Capital Partners. Coats, known for its prowess in industrial thread manufacturing, sees this acquisition as a strategic expansion into the thriving footwear market. The deal, which excludes value from certain tax attributes and intellectual property royalties, is expected to finalize by September 2025. Ortholite's market leadership, characterized by its large client base and partnerships, aligns well with Coats' vision of strengthening its foothold in the footwear industry. Trilantic Capital Partners, a private equity firm focusing on consumer services, underscores its investment success with this transaction, furthering its influence in North America's business services sector.
Sectors
- Footwear Manufacturing
- Private Equity
- Industrial Manufacturing
Geography
- United States – Ortholite, the target company, is primarily based in the United States, influencing the geographical scope of the deal.
- United Kingdom – Coats Group, the acquiring company, is based in the UK, affecting its strategic international expansion goals.
Industry
- Footwear Manufacturing – Ortholite operates within the footwear manufacturing sector, focusing on insole production, making it a pivotal player in the industry.
- Private Equity – Trilantic Capital Partners, the PE firm owning Ortholite, contributes to the industry's dynamics by managing significant investments.
- Industrial Manufacturing – Coats Group operates in industrial manufacturing, supplying threads and materials globally, thus influencing the acquisition strategy.
Financials
- $770 million – The enterprise value of Ortholite's acquisition by Coats Group, excluding certain intellectual property and tax attribute values.
- $11 billion – Aggregate capital commitments managed by Trilantic Capital Partners through their private equity funds.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortholite | Target Company | Company | A leading global market player in open-cell foam insoles, significantly contributing to the footwear industry. |
| Trilantic Capital Partners | Selling Company | Company | A private equity firm focusing on control and significant minority investments, with a portfolio that includes Ortholite. |
| William Blair | Financial Advisor | Company | The lead financial advisor facilitating Ortholite's sale, known for its expertise in financial services. |
| Coats Group plc | Bidding Company | Company | A UK-based global leader in industrial thread manufacturing with plans to expand into the footwear market. |