Bestop Ownership Group Purchases Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer
Kinderhook Industries LLC, a private equity firm that owns Bestop, has acquired RR Manufacturing and Rocky Ridge Transportation. Rocky Ridge is an authorized specialty vehicle manufacturer for light-duty pickup trucks.
Rocky Ridge represents Kinderhook’s 69th automotive-related transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are excited about our partnership with Kinderhook. Our vision is to continue providing our customers with best-in-class up-fit kits for the leading OEM branded light-duty pickup trucks,” said Burl Outlaw, CEO of Rocky Ridge. “We are maintaining an ongoing equity investment alongside Kinderhook and look forward to working with them to consolidate and grow the industry.”
Rocky Ridge, based in Franklin Springs, Georgia, is one of the three largest specialty vehicle manufacturers in North America, according to Kinderhook. The company receives new vehicles directly from the OEMs through a bailment pool arrangement, adds specialty appearance and performance packages and then sells the up-fitted vehicles exclusively to OEM dealers with a full OEM warranty. The company has bailment pool agreements with General Motors, Ford, Nissan, and RAM.
Rocky Ridge has built its brand through extensive investment in sales and marketing and was the first to develop a dealership direct marketing program to increase inventory turns at the dealers, according to Kinderhook
“We are excited to welcome Rocky Ridge to the Kinderhook portfolio,” said Tom Tuttle, managing director of Kinderhook Industries. “We will look forward to adding additional capabilities, enhancing product offerings, growing production and sales capabilities, and continuing to expand geographical breadth.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel. Financing for the transaction was provided by Regions Bank.
About Kinderhook Industries
Kinderhook Industries, LLC is a private investment firm that manages over $3.0 billion of committed capital. We have made in excess of 200 investments and follow-on acquisitions since inception. Kinderhook’s investment philosophy is predicated on matching unique, growth-oriented investment opportunities with exceptional financial expertise and our proprietary network of operating partners. Our focus is on middle market businesses with defensible niche market positioning in the healthcare services, environmental / business services and automotive / light manufacturing sectors. We have a track record of successfully and consistently building industry leaders.
