Douglas Products Acquired by PE Firm Brightstar Capital Partners

****updated on 10/10/2023 at 9 a.m., with comments from Heather Kern****

NEW YORK and LIBERTY, Mo.  – Private equity firm Brightstar Capital Partners announced that it has acquired Douglas Products and Packaging Company from private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Brightstar Capital Partners said in a press release it will partner with CEO Wes Long and Douglas’ management team to grow and expand operations. “Douglas’ dedicated team and steadfast commitment to environmental and regulatory stewardship of their mission-critical products fit perfectly with Brightstar’s core values,” said Bruce Roberson, president and COO of Brightstar. “We are excited about the company’s next stage of growth that includes potential expansion of new use cases across both its core markets and new geographies.”

In the pest management industry, Douglas manufactures Vikane gas fumigant for residential management of wood-destroying insects, bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders and rodents, as well as post-harvest fumigants ProFume gas fumigant (sulfuryl fluoride) and PH3 (aluminum phosphine).

Heather Kern, commercial leader of Douglas Products’ Pest Management North American Division, told PCT that she thinks this merger will have positive long-term effects for both organizations. “The theme is really around investing in the business, to be a broader participant in the pest control industry overall,” she said. “Aligning Brightstar’s previous expertise with the R&D, sales and marketing expertise in our organizations is a nice fit for both us and Brightstar moving forward.”

Kern said the Douglas team is “beginning to feel the excitement from Brightstar and their willingness to invest in our business and look for opportunities to grow both organically and through M&A, which will expand our overall portfolio and reach in pest control, which I think will lead to growth in the business for our employees.”

Kern said that Douglas’ existing footprint will remain the same in terms of facilities, employee structure and corporate brand, but “as we continue to grow and look for opportunities things may change to align with whatever happens in the future.” For customers in the pest control industry, Kern said it will be “business as usual."