Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. (BRS) has acquired Simpson Performance Products, a provider of motorsports safety equipment, from Carousel Capital which first invested in the company in 1998.
Simpson’s motorsports safety products include head and neck restraints, helmets, firesuits, seat belts, window nets, parachutes, racing gloves and footwear. The company also designs, manufactures and markets the HANS brand of advanced head and neck restraints (HANS is a motorsports term which stands for “head and neck support”). Simpson Performance Products was founded in 1959 by Bill Simpson and is based northeast of San Antonio in New Braunfels, TX (simpsonraceproducts.com).
“We are very excited to build on the accomplishments of the Simpson team in setting the industry standard for quality and reliability,” said Tom Baldwin, a Managing Director of BRS. “We look forward to continuing the company’s focus on delivering cutting-edge safety solutions and extending its strong market position around the world.”
Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. invests in middle market consumer goods and services businesses and has $1.4 billion of capital under management. Sectors of interest include consumer products, food and beverage, specialty retail, restaurants and specialty distribution. Since 1996, BRS has purchased over 40 portfolio companies for aggregate consideration of more than $6.4 billion. In addition, BRS portfolio companies have completed approximately $1.9 billion of add-on acquisitions. The firm is based in New York (www.brs.com).
“We are very pleased to partner with BRS due to their ability to provide valuable strategic guidance and support our growth strategy. I am confident that Simpson will continue its strong momentum of expanding into new racing segments and geographies,” said Chuck Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Simpson.
New York and Charlotte based investment bank Fidus Partners (www.fiduspartners.com) acted as financial advisor to Carousel Capital.
© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 2-23-15
