2020
Flagship
Consumer
Chattanooga, TN
Active
Bridges Consumer Healthcare (“Bridges”) was formed in partnership with consumer healthcare veterans Robert Long and Blair Ramey to build a market-leading consumer healthcare platform. In conjunction with its formation, Bridges acquired the North American rights to ThermaCare® HeatWraps (“ThermaCare”) from GlaxoSmithKline in 2019. ThermaCare is a portfolio of clinically proven heat wraps delivering fast, targeted relief of deep muscle, joint, and back pain. In early 2020, Bridges acquired Clarion Brands, a scale OTC business anchored by premier brands that target specialty conditions.
Co-founders Mr. Long and Mr. Ramey bring decades of experience driving growth in the consumer healthcare industry. Most recently they served as CEO and Head of Marketing & Innovation, respectively, for the North American division of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare (formerly Chattem, Inc.). As part of our efforts to identify investments in the consumer healthcare sector, Charlesbank developed a relationship with Mr. Long and Mr. Ramey in 2019 and subsequently evaluated multiple investment opportunities before the formation of Bridges and acquisition of ThermaCare. Bridges will capitalize on compelling industry trends and pursue additional acquisitions, including larger corporate carve-outs as well as the acquisition of individual brands and multi-brand portfolios.
Robert Long
Blair Ramey
Empire
Flooring and carpet installation
Status:
City Brewing
Beverage contract manufacturer
Status:
MyEyeDr.
Optical retailer
Status: Active
The Rockport Group
Multi-brand footwear provider
Status: Active
Hearthside Food Solutions
Food contract manufacturer
Status: Active
Varsity Brands
Academic achievement and athletic brands
Status: Active
Wayfair
Online home goods retailer
Status: Realized
MyEyeDr.
Optical retailer
Status: Realized
FULLBEAUTY Brands
Fashion retailer for plus-size consumers
Status: Realized
Sound United (formerly DEI)
Audio systems and vehicle security
Status: Realized
Peacock Foods
Packaging solutions for the food industry
Status: Realized
Blacksmith Brands
OTC consumer products
Status: Realized
Del Taco
Quick service restaurants
Status: Realized
WorldStrides
Educational student travel
Status: Realized
Zenith Products
Bathroom storage products and accessories
Status: Realized
Papa Murphy’s
"Take and bake" pizza stores
Status: Realized
Aurora Organic Dairy
Organic dairy
Status: Realized
Bell Automotive
Automotive convenience accessories
Status: Realized
Shoppers Drug Mart
Drugstores
Status: Realized
Bell Sports
Sporting goods
Status: Realized