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Plantation Products Acquired by Freeman Spogli & Co. and Management

Norton, MA, January 7, 2015 - Plantation Products, the market leader in seed packets and seed starting products in North America, announced that it has been acquired by Freeman Spogli & Co.  The Company was purchased from RFE Investment Partners.  Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1980, Plantation Products distributes over 3,500 SKUs to a network of over 70,000 retail locations across the home center, mass merchant, farm and independent, dollar store, and distributor / co-op channels within the consumer lawn and garden category.  The Company's portfolio of brands, including Ferry-Morse, American Seed, Livingston Seed, McKenzie, NK Lawn & Garden and Jiffy, are among the most recognizable in the seed packet and seed starting industry.  Plantation also provides many of its retail customers with best-in-class category management services including SKU selection, packaging and displays, in-store merchandising services, and logistical solutions. 

"We are excited to partner with Freeman Spogli as we expand our existing business and consider strategic growth avenues in adjacent product categories," said Michael Pietrasiewicz, Chief Executive Officer of Plantation.  "Freeman Spogli's expertise in the consumer products, retail, and specialty distribution sectors will be an invaluable resource as we continue to grow our business."

"Michael Pietrasiewicz and the entire Plantation Products team have done a tremendous job building Plantation into the market-leading supplier of seed and seed starting products for flower and vegetable gardens across the U.S. and Canada," said Todd Halloran, a General Partner at Freeman Spogli.  "Consumers value Plantation's broad selection and quality goods, and retailers appreciate its value-added services and support.  We are very excited to partner with Plantation Products and look forward to helping the company continue its growth."

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius acted as the legal advisors to Freeman Spogli & Co. and Finn Dixon & Herling acted as the legal advisor to RFE Investment Partners.  BlackArch Partners acted as sell-side advisors to RFE and the Company.

About Plantation Products

Plantation Products, based in Norton, Massachusetts, is the leading provider of seed and seed starting products to the North American consumer lawn and garden industry.  The company's 3,500+ SKUs are available at leading retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For additional information, visit www.plantationproducts.com

About Freeman Spogli & Co.

Freeman Spogli & Co. is a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to investing in and partnering with management in consumer-related and distribution companies in the United States.  Since its founding in 1983, Freeman Spogli has invested $3.4 billion in 51 portfolio companies with aggregate transaction value of $20 billion.  Freeman Spogli has offices in Los Angeles and New York.  For additional information, visit www.freemanspogli.com.