Weber Merges with Blackstone; Roger Dahle to be CEO – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
PALATINE, Ill. and LOGAN, Utah – Weber LLC and Blackstone Products recently announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine their businesses. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to a release from Weber.
Weber is recognized as an iconic global barbecue brand, with a 70-year-plus history of innovation and delivery of exceptional quality and consumer value, the release continued. It offers a wide portfolio of grill products and services to customers in more than 70 countries.
Blackstone, founded in 2008 by Chief Executive Officer Roger Dahle, is the U.S. pioneer in outdoor griddles, where its products are recognized as high-quality, easy-to-use, and affordable. The company has grown significantly as consumers continue to demonstrate their enthusiasm for Blackstone’s innovative griddle products and outdoor cooking accessories.
The combination will bring together two iconic brands in outdoor cooking, joining Weber’s portfolio of grilling products with Blackstone’s complementary griddle product lineup. Weber and Blackstone share strong entrepreneurial cultures and rich legacies of innovation grounded in their respective histories as a family-founded company and a founder-led business. Bringing together their robust product development engines will position the combined company to provide consumers with an expanded lineup of high-quality offerings while maintaining two distinct brands. In addition, Weber’s global customer relationships and distribution infrastructure will support international expansion opportunities for Blackstone.
“We share Blackstone’s customer-centric emphasis and deep commitment to continuous innovation, and we believe that combining will allow both brands to better serve existing and new customers with the best-in-class outdoor cooking products they seek,” said Alan Matula, Chief Executive Officer of Weber. “Roger Dahle and his team have built a dynamic brand in outdoor griddles that has demonstrated both impressive growth and enduring appeal. We are excited by the enhanced opportunities this combination will create for our customers.”
“We are thrilled to join with Weber and bring together two outdoor cooking industry innovators to create immense value for our customers and team members alike,” said Dahle. “With our complementary portfolios and similar cultures, I could not have imagined a better partner for Blackstone than Weber. We look forward to delivering an enhanced lineup of high-quality products to those with a passion for outdoor cooking, both here in the U.S. and internationally.”
Following the close of the transaction, Dahle will serve as CEO of the combined company. He will also maintain a significant equity stake in the combined company.
At that time, Matula will retire from the company after serving as CEO of Weber since 2022. Under his leadership, Weber has successfully pursued key transformation initiatives that have strengthened the company and executed against a long-term strategy of delivering high-performing, high-quality and innovative experiences to customers around the world.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions. Until that time, Weber and Blackstone will continue to operate as separate, independent companies. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will maintain a presence in both Palatine, Illinois and Logan, Utah.
About Weber LLC
Weber LLC, headquartered in Palatine, IL, is an iconic global barbecue brand. The Company’s founder George Stephen, Sr., established the outdoor cooking category when he invented the original kettle charcoal grill more than 70 years ago. Weber offers a comprehensive, innovative product portfolio, including charcoal, gas, smokers, and accessories, designed to bring people together to create amazing memories and delicious food. Weber offers its products, services and experiences to a passionate community of millions across 70 countries.
About Blackstone
Blackstone Products, headquartered in Logan, UT, is fundamentally redefining how people cook outdoors. The company specializes in outdoor griddles which allow users to cook a wider variety of foods faster and more often. Blackstone’s robust product line features innovative and easy-to-use griddles, accessories, and consumables that enhance outdoor cooking and make it more enjoyable and accessible to all for every meal. Blackstone believes in helping people create an experience with food that brings family and friends together.
