MPE Partners and SKB Cases Acquire NANUK Gear Protection

The acquisition combines two leading protective case manufacturers to drive growth and innovation.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:08am

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A highly polished, aluminum protective case with a sleek, minimalist design, placed on a clean, monochromatic background and illuminated with dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the quality and durability of the product.A premium protective case from the combined SKB and NANUK platform, designed to safeguard mission-critical equipment with style and resilience.Boston Today

MPE Partners, a private equity firm, and its portfolio company SKB Cases, LLC, a manufacturer of specialty protective cases, have announced the acquisition of NANUK Gear Protection Inc., a provider of premium injection molded protective cases. The combined platform aims to accelerate growth by unlocking commercial and operational opportunities.

Why it matters

The acquisition brings together two complementary businesses in the protective case market, allowing them to leverage each other's strengths, expand their product portfolios, and better serve a global customer base across various industries, including military, industrial, sports, and more.

The details

Under the deal, NANUK's management team will continue to lead the company, with Vincenzo Giorgio serving as General Manager, Canada & Europe. The acquisition was financed with support from Apogem Capital, and the transaction's terms were not disclosed. Legal advisors for the deal included Stikeman Elliott and Jones Day for MPE Partners, and BCF for the NANUK shareholders.

  • The acquisition was announced on April 16, 2026.

The players

MPE Partners

A private equity firm based in Cleveland, OH and Boston, MA that invests in profitable, lower middle market companies with EBITDA between $8 million and $40 million, with a focus on high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services.

SKB Cases, LLC

A manufacturer of specialty protective cases headquartered in Orange, CA, with an additional facility in Mexicali, Mexico. SKB serves a diverse set of end markets, including military & industrial, music & pro AV, and sports.

NANUK Gear Protection Inc.

A provider of premium injection molded protective cases, headquartered in Terrebonne, Québec, with additional operations in Eelde, Netherlands. NANUK serves a global customer base across 50+ countries, delivering high-performance solutions for mission-critical equipment.

Vincenzo Giorgio

The General Manager, Canada & Europe at NANUK, who will continue to lead the company following the acquisition.

John Saxon

The Executive Chairman and CEO of SKB Cases.

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What they’re saying

“NANUK has built a strong, differentiated brand that enhances SKB's product portfolio while bringing new customers, geographies, and applications. We look forward to joining forces with NANUK's talented team to drive the next phase of growth and success for the combined platform.”

— John Saxon, Executive Chairman and CEO, SKB Cases

“We have long regarded NANUK as a leading brand in the market and are excited to partner with our new colleagues. This combination positions us to better serve our valued customers.”

— Daniel Jewell, President and CCO, SKB Cases

“We are thrilled about this partnership and believe SKB and NANUK are highly complementary businesses and a natural strategic fit. With the continued support of the SKB and NANUK teams, alongside MPE, the combined platform is well positioned to accelerate growth by unlocking meaningful commercial and operational opportunities.”

— Brendan Newman, Principal, MPE Partners

“NANUK has built a strong organization with a loyal customer base and a dedicated team. This partnership with SKB represents an exciting next chapter of growth and further strengthens the Company's ability to invest in and support the employees and customers at the heart of our success.”

— Vincenzo Giorgio, General Manager, Canada & Europe, NANUK

What’s next

The combined SKB and NANUK platform will focus on driving growth and innovation by leveraging the strengths of both companies and their talented teams.

The takeaway

This acquisition brings together two leading players in the protective case market, positioning the combined entity to better serve customers globally across a wide range of industries and applications. The complementary nature of the businesses and the continued involvement of NANUK's management team suggest a strong foundation for future success.