Shock Doctor Adds New Flavored Mouthguard to Best-Selling Line



FLAVOR FUSION
SHOCK DOCTOR ADDS NEW FLAVORED MOUTHGUARD TO BEST-SELLING LINE


Professional, amateur and youth athletes will add flavor to their game with the new Flavor Fusion mouthguard line from Shock Doctor, the undisputed #1 mouthguard company in the world. Shock Doctor has added flavor to one of its most popular mouthguards with the launch of Gel Nano Flavor Fusion ($24.99).

With a growing number of sports requiring and encouraging mouthguards, Flavor Fusion allows athletes to customize their mouthguard experience while still maintaining maximum protection on the field, ice or court. The new Gel Nano Flavor Fusion is available in exciting tastes including: RocketPunch, BlueRaz, ShockOrange, LimonTensity, and Bubblegum.

Featuring an advanced combination of innovative performance, unrivaled protection, high impact shock absorption and Flavor Fusion technology, the Gel Nano Flavor Fusion is the best fitting flavored mouthguard on the market.  Other mouthguards in the Flavor Fusion line include the recently launched Gel Max Flavor Fusion ($14.99).

Mouthguards are the easiest and the best piece of sports equipment to protect teeth no matter what age or skill level.  Additionally, The National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries reports that an athlete is 60 times less likely to sustain damage to teeth when wearing a properly fitted mouthguard.

The official mouthguard of USA Football, USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey, Shock Doctor mouthguards are worn in a growing number of sports including Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, and more, and around the world by athletes of all ages and skill level, including the following professional athletes: Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers (NFL); Akeem Ayers – Tennessee Titans (NFL); Nick Leddy – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL); Jack Johnson – Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL); Jake Gardiner – Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL); and more.

In addition to being brand ambassadors, Shock Doctor’s professional athletes are committed to helping players, coaches and parents learn about safety and protection on the field of play, as well as health and wellness. Many of the Shock Doctor pro athletes also report that they perform with increased confidence and an added edge when wearing protection gear, including a properly fitting mouthguard.

“Around the world, athletes trust the Shock Doctor brand as the leader and the ultimate mouthguard expert in innovation and design. Supported by multiple patents, we continue to break new ground and offer mouthguard innovations with real benefits and protection,” says Tony Armand, Shock Doctor CEO.  “Thanks to the latest innovations in technology, flavored mouthguards can now offer the same superior protection that Shock Doctor is known for worldwide.”

The Gel Nano Flavor Fusion line is now available at www.shockdoctor.com and in retail stores nationwide, including: Dick's Sporting Goods, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Universal Athletic Service, Hockeygiant.Com, Ice Works, Omega Sports, Athletes World, and The Sports Authority among others.

SHOCK DOCTOR ACQUIRED BY BREGAL PARTNERS


Minnetonka, MN – Shock Doctor Inc. (“Shock Doctor Sports” or “the Company”), a global leader in mouthguard technology and an innovator of sports protective and performance gear, announced today that it has been acquired by Bregal Partners, a leading middle market New York-based private equity firm. Bregal’s investment is in partnership with Shock Doctor Sports’ management; financial terms were not disclosed.

Trusted by athletes around the world who demand performance and protection, Shock Doctor Sports owns two brands: Shock Doctor, the number one mouthguard company in the world for over 15 years and creators of sports protection gear for hockey, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, martial arts, boxing, and lacrosse, amongst other sports; and Cutters Gloves, an industry leading line of performance gloves and accessories for football and baseball made with exclusive C-TACK™ Performance Grip Material. 

The new partnership with Bregal creates a platform from which Shock Doctor Sports can fuel growth and increase its role as a significant player in the global performance and protective sports equipment market. With a loyal fan base and meticulous focus on quality and innovation, Shock Doctor Sports has been one of the fastest growing sporting goods companies in the world.  The Company’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology changed the way athletes view protective gear. 

“Shock Doctor’s groundbreaking, well-designed products have made protection not something athletes have to wear but want to wear,” commented Shock Doctor Sports Chief Executive Officer, Tony Armand. “We have had an amazing investment partnership over the last six years with Norwest Equity Partners, and now as we look forward to our next phase of growth, our entire Shock Doctor team is thrilled to partner with Bregal Partners. Bregal brings a unique blend of consumer and healthcare investment experience that will undoubtedly help us achieve our growth objectives and continued success.”

Bregal Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Robert Bergmann, noted, “We see a great opportunity for Shock Doctor to continue to revolutionize the $9 billion global market for performance and protective equipment with new, innovative, and distinctive products.  Beyond entering new categories, the Company should also benefit from overall market growth and an ability to acquire other industry participants.”  This acquisition also helps to expand Bregal’s consumer healthcare portfolio.

 Bergmann added that the transaction gives Bregal a chance to work together for a second time with Armand. “We are also delighted to have the opportunity to again partner with Tony as we’ve had a 15-year relationship.  The talent and track record of both Tony and the Shock Doctor management team is a key reason we are so excited about the transaction.” 
Tim Kuehl, a partner at Norwest Equity Partners, stated, “We had a very successful investment partnership with Tony and the entire Shock Doctor team. Together we worked hard to increase our position as a market leader in the performance and protective equipment category, created and acquired new products lines which helped to nearly triple overall revenue. Shock Doctor Sports is well-positioned for continued growth and success under Tony Armand’s leadership and with their new investment partner.”
William Blair & Company and Lindquist & Vennum represented Norwest Equity Partners, and Dechert LLP represented Bregal Partners in this transaction. 
About Shock Doctor Sports
Shock Doctor Sports is a leading manufacturer of protective and performance sports equipment.  With a relentless focus on innovation and technology, its products are trusted by athletes, from youth to amateur to professional, across a growing number of sports.  Shock Doctor Sports has the world’s leading mouthguard product line and also provides a full continuum of superior athletic products, including core protective, compression, performance sports therapy, sports gloves (under the Cutters® brand), and insoles.  Its products are sold through major sporting goods retailers, independent dealers, online retailers, and health care professionals throughout the United States and around the globe.  For more information on Shock Doctor Sports, please visit www.shockdoctor.com and www.cuttersgloves.com.

About Bregal Partners
Bregal Partners is a private investment firm that invests alongside management teams to build industry leading companies in the middle market. Areas of focus include energy services, consumer, food and retail, and healthcare. With $500 million of committed capital funded by a sixth-generation family foundation with roots back to 1841, Bregal Partners brings experience, stability, and a long-term outlook to all of its investment activities.  Bregal Partners is part of Bregal Investments, a global family of private equity and fund investment vehicles that has invested more than $9 billion since 2002. For more information on Bregal Partners, please visit www.bregalpartners.com.


About Norwest Equity Partners
As a leading equity investment firm since 1961, Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) partners with middle market business owners and their management teams to make growing, profitable companies into industry leaders. With nearly $5 billion in capital under management, NEP seeks $30mm-$150mm investment opportunities with a variety of industry sectors, including agriculture, applied technology, business services, consumer products and services, diversified industrials and healthcare. NEP is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information on NEP, please visit www.nep.com.


Shock Doctor Announces 2nd Annual Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Fearless Performance Tour


     

SHOCK DOCTOR SPORTS ANNOUNCES 2nd ANNUAL
SHOCK DOCTOR AND CUTTERS GLOVES FEARLESS PERFORMANCE TOUR
Expanded Tour Offers Education, Sports Protection and Athlete Safety for Coaches, Parents and Athletes of All Ages


Shock Doctor Sports, the #1 mouthguard company in the world and leader in performance-driven sports protection gear and apparel with brands Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves, has kicked off a 12 month tour across the country to bring the Shock Doctor Sports mantra of “Hardcore Protection, Fearless Performance” to life.  Inspiring and educating athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of athlete protection and sports safety, Shock Doctor Sports has expanded the 2nd annual Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves Fearless Performance Tour, to include more states, more events and more sports. 

Safe Kids Worldwide, a non-profit advocacy group, released a survey in 2013 showing that young athletes visit hospital emergency rooms more than a million times a year for sports related injuries.  With participation in organized sports on the rise, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Shock Doctor believes it more important than ever for youth athletes, coaches and parents to learn about performance and protection gear so that they can play with confidence every practice and every game.

“The Shock Doctor Sports message is simple:  When kids feel protected and confident on the field, they perform better and have more fun,” says Tony Armand, CEO of Shock Doctor Sports. “We want to educate athletes to take charge and protect themselves on the field, ice or court so that they can play their best.”
Making stops at sporting events across the country, the 2014 Tour will add lacrosse, soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball and triathlon events.  Also scheduled to stop at football and baseball events, the Tour will make special retail appearances in select markets as well. Some of the notable event stops on the Fearless Performance Tour include College World Series, Omaha SlumpBuster, Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, NSSSA State Championships, NSSSA GLOBAL WORLD SERIES, USA Hockey High School National Championship Tournament, 2014 FIL Men's World Championships, National Youth Football Championship Tournament, and Pop Warner Super Bowl and Dance Championship

The Tour will feature a custom Tour van wrapped in Cutters Glove and Shock Doctor product images, canopies featuring product displays, and giant blow up “Orange Guys” that stand over 10 feet tall. The Tour will also be accompanied by a field manager that will interact and educate consumers, as well as a real life “Orange Guy”, who acts as a walking mannequin and entertainment for Tour-goers. The Orange Guy often takes photos with athletes, throws out the first ball or puck of the tournament, dances and has fun with the players.

With the company’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology, both Shock Doctor and Cutters Gloves have expanded their line of protective gear and performance apparel to cover more athletes, in more sports, and at all levels.  The interactive exhibit is designed for athletes to learn about the technology, fit, usability, and the best options for their needs, including more about the following product lines:
·      Cutters new Football Receiver Gloves
·      Shock Doctor Mouthguards including the new flavored line, Flavor Fusion
·      Shock Doctor Performance Sports Therapy
·      Shock Doctor Performance Apparel
·      Shockskin Impact Gear
·      Shock Doctor Protective Accessories
·      And more, including sport specific products
Shock Doctor and Cutters Glove products will also be available to purchase.

Using the social media hashtag, #FPtour, Tour visitors can create their own Cutters Gloves using the BYOG (Build Your Own Glove) kiosk, which they can share via Twitter to be put into a drawing each month to win their custom designed gloves.

Shock Doctor and Cutters have also enlisted their Pro Athletes to be ambassadors of athlete safety, including: Akeem Ayres: Linebacker, Tennessee Titans (NFL); Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers (NFL); Kiko Alonso: Linebacker, Buffalo Bills (NFL); Yoenis Céspedes: Outfielder, Oakland Athletics (MLB); Carlos Santana: Catcher, Cleveland Indians (MLB); Wilin Rosario: Catcher, Colorado Rockies (MLB);  Nick Leddy: Defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL); Jack Johnson: Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets  (NHL); among others.

For a complete list of Fearless Performance Tour stops, go to Shock Doctor’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shockdoctor. Updates and additions to the schedule will be posted online throughout the run of the tour at www.shockdoctor.com.



About Shock Doctor Inc.
Shock Doctor is a leading manufacturer of protective and performance sports equipment.  With a relentless focus on innovation and technology, its products are trusted by athletes, from youth to amateur to professional, across a growing number of sports.  Shock Doctor has the best-in-class mouthguard product line and also provides a full continuum of superior athletic products, including core protective, compression, performance sports therapy, sports gloves (under the Cutters® brand), and insoles.  Its products are sold through major sporting goods retailers, independent dealers, online retailers, and health care professionals throughout the United States and around the globe.  For more information on Shock Doctor, please visit www.shockdoctor.com and www.cuttersgloves.com.