Despite the economic uncertainties that marked the first half of 2025, private equity investment in the outdoor living and systems market was busy. Because local and regional operators dominate certain geographic regions, the fragmentation of the sector made it attractive to buyout companies. As more homeowners prefer outdoor living spaces and systems — a holdover from the pandemic — consumer demand has been a key driver.
One prolific player in this space is CCMP Growth Advisors, whose portfolio company Decks & Docks expanded rapidly through additional acquisitions this year.
Joe Scharfenberger, co-manager of CCMP Growth Advisors, said PE hub: “The outdoor living category continues to benefit from strong, long-term trends as homeowners increasingly view their outdoor spaces as an extension of their home. By partnering with Decks & Docks, we have seen firsthand how strong contractor relationships, product innovation and supply chain reliability can add significant value in this space.”
Starting with the latest offering, here are seven standout offerings in the segment.
1. Platinum Equity acquires PlayPower from Littlejohn
In mid-September, Platinum Equity signed a deal to acquire PlayPower, a Huntersville, North Carolina-based manufacturer of leisure and outdoor living systems, from Littlejohn & Company for an undisclosed amount.
“We see potential to expand in core product categories such as outdoor play and shade while also entering adjacent markets,” said Nathan Eldridge, managing director at Platinum Equity. “Our goal is to accelerate PlayPower’s transformation into a scaled, multi-brand platform with broad end-market reach, complementary product coverage and enhanced manufacturing and distribution capabilities.”
2. CCMP Growth-backed Decks & Docks acquires Service Wholesale
A week earlier, with the last hints of summer still in the air, CCMP Growth portfolio company Decks & Docks announced that it had acquired Service Wholesale, a Downingtown, Pennsylvania-based distributor of construction and remodeling materials.
Decks & Docks, based in Clearwater, Florida, is a specialty distributor of composite decking and outdoor building products.
This was Decks & Docks' fifth acquisition since CCMP Growth's initial partnership with Decks & Docks in October 2023.
“Your addition to our team further solidifies our position in the Mid-Atlantic and will allow us to better serve our contractor customers in Pennsylvania,” said Shawn Roberts, CEO of Decks & Docks.
3. Tenex invests in Rick's Custom Fencing & Decking
In late August, the dog days of summer did not hinder business as Tenex Capital Management invested capital in Rick's Custom Fencing & Decking, a Hillsboro, Oregon-based provider of residential fence and deck installation services.
According to Tenex managing director Gabe Wood, Rick's strong reputation and potential to become a market leader made the company an attractive investment.
This acquisition represented Tenex's fifth residential services platform investment in the last three years.
4. CCMP Growth-backed Decks & Docks acquires The Deck Supply
Late June began a busy season for CCMP Growth-backed Decks & Docks when it acquired The Deck Supply, a Kansas City, Missouri-based distributor of composite decking products.
For Decks & Docks, this expansion was a strategic move to expand its base in the Midwest, where The Deck Supply has six retail locations in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.
5. Ambienta-backed Cap Vert takes on Bernard Bois
At the end of May, Ambienta portfolio company Cap Vert Group completed the acquisition of Bernard Bois, a French company specializing in the design, manufacture and installation of outdoor wooden furniture and structures.
Paris-based Cap Vert Group is a major provider of environmental services.
Bernard Bois, based in Bourron-Marlotte, France, was Cap Vert's tenth additional signing since the company was acquired by Ambienta in 2021.
Cap Vert's eagerness to penetrate this fragmented niche made the acquisition a logical fit.
“It expands the group’s reach in sustainable outdoor solutions while strengthening its commitment to providing high-quality, environmentally friendly solutions for green spaces,” said Gwenaëlle Le Ho Daguzan, partner at Ambienta. “Bernard Bois’ extensive expertise complements Cap Vert’s ambitions to integrate further along the value chain and strengthens its multi-specialty positioning.”
6. PAI Partners sells minority stake in European Camping Group to ADIA
The outdoor accommodation market received a boost in late March when PAI Partners announced that it had agreed to sell a significant minority stake in European Camping Group, an outdoor accommodation provider headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
PAI, which first invested in ECG in 2021, remains ECG's majority shareholder.
ECG operates in 11 European countries through its main brands Eurocamp and Homair and is the “leading” provider in France, Italy, Spain and Croatia.
“ECG is a prime example of a real-economy company that has emerged as a clear leader in the outdoor accommodation space, benefiting from significant investment, attractive market dynamics and an exceptional management team, with ample scope for growth,” Bertrand Monier, partner at PAI, said in a statement.
7. Fourshoe Partners buys Palm Coast Sales
It may have been cold outside in late February, but business activity picked up as Fourshoe Partners acquired Palm Coast Sales, a Jupiter, Florida-based outdoor kitchen equipment distributor.
PCS products include grills, outdoor kitchens, grill carts and accessories.
Nate Barbera, operations manager at Fourshoe, praised PCS's reputation in its category.
“The opportunity to invest in a company with deep and successful relationships with some of the most recognized brands in the outdoor lifestyle space doesn’t come along often,” said Barbera, who will also become president and CEO of PCS.
Although private equity deal execution was slow in early 2025, recovery occurred in certain recession-resistant markets, such as outdoor living and systems. This bodes well for the space for both the rest of the year and 2026 PE hub predicts that a whole series of other deals will follow.