DLA Piper advised Oakley Capital Private Equity and its fund, OCPE II Master L.P., in the acquisition of a majority stake in North Technology Group, LLC (NTG).

Founded in 1957 by Lowell North, NTG is a leading marine technology group that includes the worldwide leading sailmaker North Sails. It is comprised of three market-leading marine brands, all focused on providing innovative and high-performance products and solutions to the world's sailors and yachtsmen. 

The total enterprise value for the business was US $131 million, and the consideration was funded by an equity investment of US $62 million along with equity reinvestment by Windway Capital Corp. Acquisition financing was provided by Credit Suisse and NXT Capital.

The DLA Piper team representing Oakley on both the M&A and debt sides was led by Rich Davis, a partner in DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance group in Washington, DC. The primary US M&A team included Tom Hendershot, Cara Hupprich, Jennifer Neubauer, Joseph Langhirt and Paul Myers (Tax). The primary US debt team included Mark Fiekers, Jennifer Neubauer, Matthew Wood and Joe Langhirt (Tax).

Other members of the team included Sanjay Beri, Trinette A. Bolden, Catherine Campell, Ryan Compton, Gregory Esau, Barry M. Heller, Aaron X. Hill, Stephanie L. Kane, Julie Kovacs, Nate McKitterick, Paolo Morante, J. Nicholas, Paulo Pasicolan, Lee Sheller, Jeff Showalter, James Adams, Nicole Smith, James Stewart, Michelle Sumner, Dianne S. Williams, Tao Xu, Drew M. Young, Gina Zawitoski, Thomas Zutic, Jay Finkelstein, Jacqueline Hodes, Christina Houston, Andrew Moosman, Patricia Morrison and Leslie Schillig. The team was also assisted by DLA Piper (or affiliated firms) teams in the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Denmark.