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Lew's Fishing bought by private equity firm

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Austin, Texas-based private equity firm Peak Rock Capital announced last month its acquisition of Springfield-based Do Outdoors Inc.

Terms were undisclosed for the acquisition of the company that does business as Lew’s Fishing Tackle and Sportsmans Factory Outlet, according to a news release. The purchase was first reported Dec. 2 by the Springfield News-Leader.

"Lew's has a strong competitive position within the fishing category and a rich history of product innovation,” Peak Rock Capital Managing Director Peter Leibman said in the release. “We believe Lew's is an excellent platform for expansion through continued investment in new product development and strategic add-on acquisitions.”

Lynn Reeves started Do Outdoors in 2009 after losing his longtime position at Bass Pro Shops was eliminated. That year, he bought the licensing and branding rights to the Lew’s products line for an undisclosed amount from Zebco. Reeves could not be reached for comment by deadline.

The Lew’s line was started in 1949 by Lew Childre and became a favorite among fishing enthusiasts in the 1960s and ‘70s. After Childre died in 1977, the licensing rights were sold to Zebco, which eventually phased out the brand, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Reeves, who serves as CEO of Do Outdoors, in 2010 brought on industry veteran Gary Remensnyder as minority owner and president.

In September 2015, Do Outdoors opened a $3.5 million headquarters at 3031 N. Martin Ave., just north of Partnership Industrial Center.

The 32-employee Do Outdoors was a finalist this year for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award.


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