Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (“CHS”) today announced the sale of Connor Sports Flooring Corporation (“Connor”), the premier manufacturer and marketer of maple hardwood sports flooring in the world, to The Riverside Company.

The Riverside Company will merge Connor with Sports Court International, a leading producer of high-performance sports and residential court flooring systems, to create Connor Sport Court International. The merger will redefine the marketplace by diversifying and expanding the combined product lines and distribution channels of both companies.

Headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Connor offers a broad line of wood and synthetic flooring systems for various applications including indoor sports, multi-use and recreational. Its primary end market is the education facility construction market where it has established a market leadership position through exclusive, long-term relationships with leading athletic flooring installers, ISO 9001 certified operations, low cost manufacturing, successful development of high quality, proprietary flooring systems and effective marketing programs.

CHS invested in Connor in November 1996. During CHS’ ownership, Connor generated attractive top-line growth resulting from strong education facility construction. Connor also expanded its product line through a strategic acquisition completed in December 1997 and the introduction of synthetic products. Through the economic downturn, constrained state budgets and record lumber price increases, CHS supported Connor with resources and capital allowing Connor to build a solid foundation for future growth.

Jon Vesely, Partner at Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC, said “Connor is well positioned to achieve continued growth by successfully rolling out synthetic products, expanding its dealer base, and completing selective acquisitions. A new capital structure will ensure that Connor can capitalize on numerous growth opportunities.”

CHS is a Chicago-based private equity firm specializing in private equity investments and recapitalizations of middle market companies in partnership with management. CHS has formed four private equity funds and currently manages over $1.5 billion of capital. CHS' made its investment in Connor through Code Hennessy & Simmons II, L.P., a $155.0 million investment fund formed in 1994.