M&A activity

Deal activity across the global aftermarket industry has been buoyant in recent years as both trade buyers and private equity investors look to establish international footprints.

Strong growth in the Asian market has been the rationale for many transactions, while the increasing average age of vehicles in more developed markets such as Europe continues to drive M&A activity.Private equity players have in recent years invested in many of Europes top distributors including AAG, Rhiag and Euro Car Parts. One of the most active trade buyers has been the US LKQ group which has acquired a number of European parts distributors.

Strong growth in the Asian market has been the rationale for many transactions, while the increasing average age of vehicles in more developed markets such as Europe continues to drive M&A activity.

Notable trade deals

Danish industrial conglomerate Schouw acquired Borg Automotive, a specialist in remanufacturing parts.

The Parts Alliance, the UKs second largest automotive parts distributor, was acquired by Canada-based Uni-Select.

Highline Aftermarket, a US manufacturer of packaged automotive chemicals, lubricants and parts, acquired South/ Win, a US manufacturer of car care products.

Sweden-based Indutrade acquired Klokkerholm Karosseridele, a Danish company which offers a wide range of spare parts to the industry. Indutrade previously acquired Professional Parts.

Tenneco, a US manufacturer of automotive ride control and emission control products and systems, acquired Federal-Mogul, a maker of powertrain components, for 4.6bn. Tenneco is looking to grow its market share in fast-growing Asian markets.

Kramp Groep, a Dutch company which distributes parts for agricultural and industrial markets, acquired Raico, an Italian supplier of replacement parts.

SAF Holland, a German manufacturer and supplier of chassis-related systems, acquired York Transport Equipment (Asia), a manufacturer of trailer axles, suspension kits and truck/ trailer components. SAF Holland also recently acquired V. Orlandi, an Italian manufacturer of coupling systems.

Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), one of the largest parts distribution platforms in Europe, made two acquisitions in the UK. It acquired Hereward Car and Truck Components, and Fast Parts Wales, a supplier of automotive parts and accessories. Genuine Parts Company acquired AAG in 2017 from PE funds managed by Blackstone and AAGs founders.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries bought Britains second largest car tyre distributor Micheldever for 241m from private equity house Graphite Capital. Sumitomo also bought Swiss rubber parts manufacturer Lonstroff Holding in 2015.

AP Exhaust Technologies acquired Eastern Manufacturing, a US-based manufacturer of catalytic converters.

Wessels + Muller acquired the Trost Group. Both companies sell parts through their branch networks and their customers are mainly independent garages.

Stahlgruber, a leading distributor of aftermarket spare parts, acquired PV Automotive and also Karl Ruecker. Stahlgruber was itself later acquired by US auto parts retailer LKQ for 1.5bn in 2017. That deal gave LKQ an additional strategic hub for its European operations. In recent years LKQ has expanded on the continent through acquisitions such as Euro Car Parts.

Notable private equity deals

Clearlake Capital Group acquired Wheel Pros, a US-based designer and distributor of wheels, from private equity firm Audax.

Kian Capital Partners acquired The Retrofit Source, a US manufacturer and distributor of automotive aftermarket lighting components.

Ridgemont Equity Partners acquired Uniban Canada, a Canadian distributor of automotive windscreens and windows, and PH Vitres d'Autos, a provider of auto glass installation, repair.

Alpha Private Equity acquired Europart, a German retailer of special purpose vehicle.

Harvest Partners and Audax Private Equity combined AP Emissions Technologies and Centric Parts, creating APC Automotive Technologies, a leading aftermarket undercar parts platform.