The Riverside Company and Momentum Textiles Weave in New Investment

Adds Wallcovering Source Group to Momentum Platform

The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, has invested in the Wallcovering Source Group (WSG), an add-on to its Momentum Textiles (Momentum) platform. WSG designs and distributes traditional and digitally printed wallcoverings, upholstery and various other innovative surface coverings.

In 1999, D.L. Couch, Eykon Design Resources and TRI-KES united to form the strategic Wallcovering Source Group alliance. As WSG, the company represents one of the largest wallcoverings distributors in the nation with a more than 70-person sales team serving the entire United States.

WSG is the second add-on to Riverside’s Momentum platform, a commercial upholstery and wallcoverings distributor for architectural and design firms and commercial furniture manufacturers serving the office, hospitality, education and healthcare markets. Momentum also added Sina Pearson in 2016 to bolster its portfolio of industry leading upholstery designs and designers.

“Momentum has evaluated several wallcovering acquisitions as part of its long-term strategic plan, and we are excited for the potential with WSG’s expanded product portfolio,” said Riverside Managing Partner Suzy Kriscunas. “This investment will help Momentum become a dominant market player in contract textiles, demonstrating its ability to expand outside of its core upholstery offering and further penetrate an adjacent, complementary product category.”

This new investment is a further example of Riverside’s extensive experience within its Specialty Manufacturing & Distribution industry specialization, adding to its more than 80 platform companies.

“WSG’s quality product line and best-in-class sales and management teams provide an undeniable path for growth into the wallcovering market and strong cross-selling opportunities across both customer bases,” said Riverside Partner Meranee Phing. “We are excited to work with the management team to continue its track record of success.”

Working with Kriscunas and Phing on the deal for Riverside were Partner Karen Pajarillo, Vice President Caroline Shettle, Vice President Constantine Elefter and Senior Associate Dom Zingarelli. Riverside Partner Anne Hayes assisted with financing and Origination Director Cheryl Strom helped source the add-on.

Jones Day, Deloitte and Alvarez & Marsal supported the transaction as the legal counsel, tax and accounting advisors, respectively.