SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- Bell Automotive Products, Inc. has acquired Victor Products, a marketer and packager of automotive accessories, parts and supplies for mass merchants and specialty automotive retailers. Victor is a division of Barjan Products, L.L.C.

Following the close of the transaction, the Victor and Monkey Grip product lines, which include tire repair kits, gauges, sealants and other automotive related products, will be integrated into the Bell family of products.

"Victor and Monkey Grip are outstanding brands that are highly complementary to Bell Automotive's existing product line-up," said Tim Brasher, CEO of Bell Automotive. "We see significant opportunities to further elevate the brand while increasing sales and achieving greater efficiencies by integrating these lines into Bell."

Bell Automotive is a supplier of automotive convenience accessories, such as air fresheners, seat and steering wheel covers and other products which are sold at major nationwide retailers such as Wal*Mart, Target and major automotive supply chains. The company is wholly owned by management and JH Partners LLC, a San Francisco-based private equity firm.

"Victor is a terrific addition to Bell Automotive, which continues to deliver impressive results under the leadership of Terry Lee, Mary George and Tim Brasher," said Pat Collins of JH Partners. "We're always pleased to assist our partner companies grow both organically and opportunistically through value-creating acquisitions such as Bell's purchase of Victor."

In December of 2004 JH Partners teamed up with management to acquire Bell Automotive. The senior debt financing for the purchase of Victor was underwritten by Harris Trust and Savings Bank and Harris' mezzanine fund, Harris Nesbitt Capital, led the subordinated debt financing for the transaction. Harris Nesbitt Corp. advised Bell Automotive and JH Partners on the transaction.

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