News

Acquisition

April 27, 2015

Safe Fleet, A Portfolio Company of The Sterling Group, Acquires Elkhart Brass

The Sterling Group, a private equity firm based in Houston, Texas, announced that its portfolio company, Safe Fleet Investments LLC, has completed the acquisition of Elkhart Brass. Safe Fleet is the market leader in providing safety solutions for fleet vehicles. The company designs and manufactures safety-oriented components for the emergency vehicle, truck and trailer, utility vehicle, school bus, and transit bus end markets. Elkhart Brass is Safe Fleet’s third acquisition in the last fifteen months and further broadens Safe Fleet’s extensive, safety-oriented product offering, in line with its on-going growth strategy. Elkhart Brass is an innovative manufacturer of fire fighting and fire protection equipment, including monitors, valves, nozzles, appliances and accessories used in virtually every aspect of fire fighting. “We are excited to welcome Elkhart Brass into the Safe Fleet family. The combination of Elkhart Brass with FRC and Foam Pro will enable us to develop integrated systems of monitors, valves, foam proportioning and electronic controls for the global emergency market,” said John R. Knox, President & CEO of Safe Fleet. “This acquisition supports our vision to build the leading global provider of safety solutions for fleet vehicles.”

Safe Fleet was formed in 2013 through the simultaneous acquisitions of ROM Corporation and Specialty Manufacturing Inc. The growing Safe Fleet portfolio includes ten leading brands serving the safety and productivity needs for a variety of end markets. “Safe Fleet is committed to increasing its ability to provide critical safety products to its loyal customer base,” said Brian Henry of The Sterling Group. Safe Fleet will continue to pursue new acquisition opportunities to expand the products and solutions it offers its fleet vehicle customers.

About Safe Fleet

Headquartered in Belton, MO, Safe Fleet owns a portfolio of brands that provides safety-oriented components and integrated solutions for fleet vehicle manufacturers and operators around the world. These brands serve five major markets including: emergency services, bus and rail, truck and trailer, utility, and industrial. With almost 1000 employees, the Safe Fleet family of brands operates over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space and targets markets with increasing demand for operator, passenger and pedestrian safety. For more information about Safe Fleet please visit www.safefleetsolutions.com.

About The Sterling Group, L.P.

Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group, L.P. (www.sterling-group.com) is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $500 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 45 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $10.0 billion. Currently, Sterling has over $1.1 billion of assets under management. Current portfolio companies include CST Industries, Universal Fiber Systems, Express, B&G Crane, Saxco International, Liqui-Box, Dexter Axle, Safe Fleet, Specified Air Solutions and Aquatic.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.

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