Chicago Heights, Illinois Facility Designs and Manufactures Acoustic Products that Reduce Vehicle Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) for the Automotive Industry.
Los Angeles, CA, February 3, 2016 – Angeles Equity Partners, LLC, a private investment firm focused on value creation through operational transformation, today announced that it has acquired, through an affiliated entity, U.G.N., Inc.’s automotive acoustic solutions business based in Chicago Heights, IL. U.G.N. Inc. (UGN) is a joint venture between Autoneum Holding AG [SWX:AUTN] and Nihon Tokushu Toryo (Nittoku) [TSE:4619].
The business, which will operate under the name Applied Acoustics International™ (AAI™), is a Tier 1 provider of sound barrier and noise damping products to the North American automotive industry. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. AAI will continue to supply noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction products to UGN under a long term supply agreement; and UGN will provide transition support to AAI under a transition services agreement.
“The Chicago Heights operation has long been recognized by its customers as a leading provider of sound barrier and noise/vibration damping products in the automotive industry. We see this as a compelling opportunity for our firm to acquire a market leader that we believe is well positioned for growth – both organically as a standalone business, and through prospective add-on acquisitions,” said Jordan Katz, co-founder and managing partner of Angeles Equity Partners.
“This deal combines our previous experience of driving growth in automotive investments, with our understanding of complex carve-out transactions. We are excited about today’s announcement and look forward to partnering with the AAI team to establish a standalone business, and position it to achieve its full potential through customer focus, best practices, and innovation,” said Timothy Meyer, co-founder and managing partner of Angeles Equity Partners. “Angeles Equity Partners will invest the necessary resources in an effort to realize the tremendous potential in the business.”
The business has produced damper and barrier products for new automobiles since 1986. Substantially all of the employees who worked for the business prior to the transaction, including key members of the sales, R&D/engineering, operations and finance functions from UGN are joining AAI.
About Angeles Equity Partners, LLC
Angeles Equity Partners is a private equity firm that invests in companies across a wide range of industrial sectors and specifically targets businesses which it believes can directly benefit from the firm’s deep expertise in operational transformation and strategic repositioning. This skill set drives the firm’s investment philosophy and, in its view, can help underperforming businesses reach their full potential. Learn more online at www.angelesequity.com.
About Applied Acoustics International
Applied Acoustics International (AAI) is a Tier 1 supplier of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) solutions to the North American automotive industry. Based in Chicago Heights, Illinois, AAI occupies a leading market position within the NVH industry, specializing in damper and EVA barrier materials. Learn more online at www.aainvh.com.
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If you would like more information, please contact Trenton Waterhouse at +1 623 523 1672 or email info@angelesequity.com.