NPD says the partnership with the private equity firm will continue and accelerate its momentum and long track record of success.
The NPD Group has announced that Hellman & Friedman, a premier global private equity firm, has made a binding offer and entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire NPD subject to conditions below. NPD executive chairman Tod Johnson and CEO Karyn Schoenbart would retain a minority stake in the business and continue to serve on the NPD board of directors.
“As a leading source of market information and advisory services for general merchandise and foodservice, NPD is committed to helping our clients and the industries we serve achieve data-driven growth for many years to come,” said Tod Johnson. “H&F shares our focus on long-term growth and has the resources and expertise to not only continue, but also accelerate, NPD’s momentum and long track record of success. Both Karyn and I are delighted to have the opportunity to partner as minority investors alongside H&F as we work in close collaboration on a long-term strategic plan and transition over time to the next generation of NPD leadership.”
“In a period of rapid change, NPD has helped guide our clients with omnichannel data, industry expertise and analytics to help them understand unprecedented market shifts,” added NPD CEO Karyn Schoenbart. “It has been exciting to play an increasingly important role in the strategies of our clients by providing insight into what is happening today and what to anticipate in the future. We expect H&F to continue our tradition of client partnership and innovation with new products, data sources and next generation platforms to make our information even more comprehensive, accessible and actionable.”
“Trusted by more than 2,000 customers in 19 countries, NPD is a market leader in its categories with an outstanding value proposition for customers and retailers. Tod and Karyn have led the company to great heights, and we look forward to working closely with them to build on this strong momentum,” said Philip Hammarskjold, Executive Chairman of H&F.
Founded in 1966, NPD is currently the eighth largest market research company worldwide, with operations in the Americas, Europe and APAC, covering more than 20 industries. Over the years, NPD has introduced numerous industry innovations in both traditional and digital research methodologies. These include launching the first point-of-sale tracking services for general merchandise sectors, developing the in-home scanning technology used by many research companies around the world today, pioneering online surveys, introducing the breakthrough digital measurement methodology that powered Media Metrix and building the first receipt-based market measurement system.
Following completion of the notification and consultation process with NPD’s employee-works council, as required by law, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2021, subject to the entry into the definitive sale agreement and satisfaction of the conditions set forth.
