Costa Mesa, Calif. – July 25, 2007 – Eckler Industries, Inc., a portfolio company of Century Park Capital Partners, has acquired Rick’s First Generation Camaro, Inc. Transaction terms were not publicly disclosed.
RSM EquiCo Capital Markets initiated the transaction and acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Rick’s First Generation Camaro.
"Rick's First Generation Camaro is a strong addition to Eckler Industries. Rick George has created a comprehensive retail and catalog business that effectively targets the Camaro enthusiast market,” said Alex Hoggan, associate vice president of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets. “The acquisition will enable Eckler's to further develop its marketing and growth strategy within the Classic Chevy accessories aftermarket, expand its retail and catalog offerings, and leverage Rick's relationships within the vintage auto enthusiast market.”
About RSM EquiCo Capital Markets
RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC (www.rsmequico.com) is a global provider of investment banking services to private and public companies with annual revenues of up to $1 billion. The firm brings together companies, capital and creativity on a national and international scale to help clients achieve their personal and strategic objectives.
RSM EquiCo Capital Markets is licensed by the SEC and all state securities authorities, and is a member of the FINRA and SIPC. The firm’s international headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, Calif. It also has offices in Chicago, Boston, New York and London.
About Rick’s First Generation Camaro
Founded in 1989, Rick’s First Generation Camaro is a retailer and distributor of Chevrolet Camaro vintage replacement parts, specializing in the model years of 1967 to 1969. The company is an officially licensed distributor of General Motors parts and is contractually authorized to display the license emblems of General Motors’ Parts and Service Operations group. The company has been able to carve a niche for itself within the Camaro aftermarket-parts sector and maintain a strong recurring customer base of retailers, dealers and jobbers. Rick’s utilizes an effective marketing strategy through its catalog and Web site to promote and sell Camaro vintage replacement parts. The catalogue and Internet marketing channels collectively account for 80 percent of the company’s revenue.
About Eckler Industries, Inc.
Headquartered in Titusville, Fla., Eckler Industries offers over 45,000 Corvette and Classic Chevy aftermarket parts and accessories, including exterior and interior accessories, performance parts and restoration parts. The firm sells these products direct to retail customers through catalog and Internet channels, as well as to repair shops and dealers. Eckler’s is a GM Restoration Parts licensee. Century Park Capital Partners is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm that partners with owner/managers to build successful companies. The firm specializes in facilitating owner liquidity and business expansion by providing $10 million to $50 million equity investments for minority and majority recapitalizations, growth financings, management-led buyouts and acquisition financings. CPCP acquired Eckler’s on June 30, 2006.
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RSM EquiCo Inc.
Todd Cooley, Director of Communications
714.327.8865
tcooley@rsmequico.com