Bain Capital Private Equity, one of the world’s foremost private investment firms, today announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire American Trailer Works, a leading manufacturer of utility and cargo trailers. The company is being acquired from an investor group managed by Southlake Equity Group. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, American Trailer Works is a leading manufacturer and distributor of utility and cargo trailers in North America. Through its 12 plants, American Trailer Works sells trailers through independent dealers and national retailers under the PJ Trailers, Carry-On Trailer, RC Trailers and other private-label brand names.
Bain Capital Private Equity plans to merge American Trailer Works with Big Tex Trailers, a leading manufacturer of utility trailers in North America, to create a newly-formed company. Bain Capital Private Equity closed its acquisition of Big Tex in December 2015.
"Uniting these two companies will create an exceptional array of products and services, and the best and most supportive partner for dealers,” said Todd Cook, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity. “We are committed to supporting management in growing the trailer businesses of both American Trailer Works and Big Tex through world-class customer service, operational efficiency, and continued product innovation.”
Financing for the Big Tex and ATW transaction is being provided by Goldman Sachs and Barclays. BMO Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs and Barclays acted as financial advisors, Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as accounting advisor to Bain Capital Private Equity.
The planned merger is subject to customary regulatory review.
About American Trailer Works
Headquartered in Southlake, TX, American Trailer Works is a leading manufacturer and distributor of utility and cargo trailers in North America. Through its 12 plants, American Trailer Works sells trailers through independent dealers and national retailers under the PJ Trailers, Carry-On Trailer, RC Trailers, Middlebury Trailers and other private-label brand names. More information about the company is available at http://www.americantrailerworks.com.
About Bain Capital Private Equity
Bain Capital Private Equity has partnered closely with management teams to provide the strategic resources that build great companies and help them thrive since our founding in 1984. Our team of more than 400 investment professionals creates value for our portfolio companies through our global platform and depth of expertise in key vertical industries including consumer/retail, financial and business services, healthcare, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications. In addition to private equity, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including credit, public equity and venture capital, and leverages the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus.
This press release has been updated to reflect the new business unit name, "Bain Capital Private Equity," which was changed from "Bain Capital" or "Bain Capital, LP."
