L.A.B. Golf sold to private equity firm

[QuigleyDU]

Rumors are out that LAB has been sold and the deal is done. Curious who the buyer is. 

[Eren]

where did you see/read this?

[QuigleyDU]

7 minutes ago, Eren said:

where did you see/read this?

Just whispers.. 

[StoutKing]

Hopefully not true.  Was thinking Sam was building something, not trying to cash out.

[chip75]

I wonder if it's an Adams/Taylormade type situation, so you'd think Callaway or Taylormade. 

[golfortennis]

First wrx, now LAB.... everybody is selling!!

[QuigleyDU]

46 minutes ago, StoutKing said:

Hopefully not true.  Was thinking Sam was building something, not trying to cash out.

I am pretty certain its true. I think it is very similar to the situation in which Sam bought the company. 

[QuigleyDU]

9 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

First wrx, now LAB.... everybody is selling!!

Wrx is selling?? When diid that happen? 

[QuigleyDU]

34 minutes ago, chip75 said:

I wonder if it's an Adams/Taylormade type situation, so you'd think Callaway or Taylormade. 

I dont think it is any of those. 

[golfortennis]

4 minutes ago, QuigleyDU said:

Wrx is selling?? When diid that happen? 

 

[C_rad]

What!!!!!

[StoutKing]

59 minutes ago, QuigleyDU said:

I am pretty certain its true. I think it is very similar to the situation in which Sam bought the company. 

Berkshire Hathaway... ;)

[jholz]

This sounds about right. Marketing machine bar none. 

[QuigleyDU]

7 minutes ago, StoutKing said:

Berkshire Hathaway... 😉

Dont think they have much golf in their portfolio. 

[boggyman]

L Catterton…

[StoutKing]

Makes it that much more impressive what a family company like PING have done over the decades

[getitdaily]

Makes a lot of sense. The company's valuation is as high as it'll ever be but Sam is not a logistics and manufacturing guru. They need to decrease production cycle time and reduce time to delivery. Someone with capital to add production capacity will double the company's growth.

Edited July 25 by getitdaily

[RavishingRhett]

One things for sure, it’s probably not Costco. Couldn’t cheapen the brand like that

[twholbrook]

Hope they chose a buyer with IP lawyers and a serialization plan!

[dtc0207]

I heard it was Cleveland/srixon that bought them and it is going to be a separately ran company with in the umbrella 

[MattM97]

17 minutes ago, dtc0207 said:

I heard it was Cleveland/srixon that bought them and it is going to be a separately ran company with in the umbrella 

 

We all remember the last time Cleveland/Srixon/Dunlop bought a putter company and what happened right? 

[Red4282]

1 hour ago, dtc0207 said:

I heard it was Cleveland/srixon that bought them and it is going to be a separately ran company with in the umbrella 

Well that would certainly further solidify srixon/LAB as forum favorites!

[Ari]

Wow, I’m kinda shocked if this is true

[manVSgolf]

If it’s true, I would be happy that it would be with Srixon.  My heart couldn’t take the Cameron-ification of my beloved LABs.

[Red4282]

Saw somewhere else… that this is buyer:

https://www.lcatterton.com/

[Sean289]

10 hours ago, getitdaily said:

Makes a lot of sense. The company's valuation is as high as it'll ever be but Sam is not a logistics and manufacturing guru. They need to decrease production cycle time and reduce time to delivery. Someone with capital to add production capacity will double the company's growth.

Agreed. I’ve spoken with some of my buddies and we’ve agreed that we’d be much more likely to buy a Lab if the waiting times weren’t so long. That’s not a dig at Lab. I understand that the customer process takes time and no doubt, they currently have many orders to process. As you mentioned, this issue could potentially be solved by working with an OEM that has the infrastructure to produce units at a quicker pace. 

[getitdaily]

30 minutes ago, Sean289 said:

Agreed. I’ve spoken with some of my buddies and we’ve agreed that we’d be much more likely to buy a Lab if the waiting times weren’t so long. That’s not a dig at Lab. I understand that the customer process takes time and no doubt, they currently have many orders to process. As you mentioned, this issue could potentially be solved by working with an OEM that has the infrastructure to produce units at a quicker pace. 

Yep. I can see their balancing process get automated and get done in 5 minutes rather than a day or more. But that means capital and Sam hasn't really had a reason to do it since orders keep popping. Plus...$250 for rush delivery...most buying a lab are willing to fork it.

[Tiger_Stud]

As soon as an OEM gets involved and scaling business becomes the main priority quality usually goes south. I‘d rather wait two months for a new LAB than getting a rushed crappy product. 

[Wardonation]

I remember years ago sitting at a table with Sam after a tournament round. He told us he bought a putter company. I actually played with him in that round and thought "nice guy ugliest putter ever". Anyways what he has done with that company is amazing. I am sure he will have a ton of opportunity if he chooses to do so. My guess is he will be playing more golf at Emerald instead.. On another note two great golf companies where  out of Eugene, OR and even more so Emerald Valley. SCRATCH AND LAB...

[straightshot7]

Hopefully the existing LAB people retained 51%+ of the company and will use the capital to speed up their production while maintaining the same quality....one can dream..