Defender Acquired by FortNine

FortNine, Canada’s leading e-commerce platform for powersports equipment and accessories has acquired Defender in partnership with Novacap. Founded in 1938, Defender is a family owned, authorized dealer for products from every major marine manufacturer, and is the largest independent marine supply firm in the U.S. The acquisition will help expand expertise and the business model across the FortNine and Defender brands, while allowing a platform from which to bring a complementary line of business to the FortNine powersports community.

“FortNine and Defender share a passion for serving sports enthusiasts: We both have a very loyal customer base who trust our knowledge and experience to outfit them with the equipment they need,” says Amin Sawaf, founder and president of FortNine. “It is truly a privilege to acquire a company with such a stellar reputation and we look forward to bringing our unique go-to-market expertise to the marine industry.”

“The Lance family has been honored to serve our customers since 1938, and in FortNine, we believe that we have found the perfect match in our shared values,” adds Stephan Lance, president of Defender. “We are a marine outfitter staffed by passionate boaters that enable us to deliver on our mission of great customer service. We are proud to unite with FortNine’s team of enthusiasts to drive Defender into its next stage of expansion.”

To learn more, visit fortnine.ca and defender.com.