RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Terry Theodore of Wynnchurch and John Tudor of FF&T will join a panel featuring leaders of top private equity companies invested in the automotive aftermarket at the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Executive Breakfast, held during AAPEX.
The annual event, which kicks off the first day of AAPEX, is slated for 7-8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Ballrooms G-I at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
Tony Cristello, senior vice president at BB&T Capital Markets Equity Research, will moderate the panel, which also includes Mark Barnhill, principal, Platinum Equity, and Kosty Gilis, managing director of Onex Partners.
FF&T, Platinum Equity, Onex Partners and Wynnchurch currently are involved in the North American aftermarket both at the manufacturer and distributor levels. FF&T is invested in Transtar, and Platinum owns distributors Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. and Wheel Pro. Onex owns parts supplier Gates Corp.’s parent Tomkins and Wynnchurch owns VistaPro.
“The AASA Executive Breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 1, will provide a unique forum for a dialogue between the leaders of the automotive aftermarket and the top private equity firms,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “PE is already invested in some of the biggest and best-known companies in the aftermarket — Affinia, BBB, Cooper Standard, Dayco, Dura, Fram (Honeywell Consumer Products Group), Keystone Automotive Operations, OE Quality Friction, Qualitor, Tomkins/Gates, Transtar, TRW, United Components and more.”
“Private equity has a track record of successfully transforming industries back to prosperity and profitability – for example, the dramatic improvements to OE suppliers following PE investment,” he continued. “The aftermarket’s current solid financial footing could be a good fit with PE’s capital and experience in other industries.”
“All aftermarket supply chain partners can gain from the insights of these PE experts attending the AASA Executive Breakfast during AAPEX,” Handschuh added. “This open discussion by our panelists and the breakfast attendees can benefit aftermarket companies whether private equity investment is in their future or not.”
More than 600 attendees are expected at this year’s AASA Executive Breakfast during AAPEX. The audience will include executives from top North American automotive aftermarket suppliers and management teams from the leading aftermarket resellers and distributors.
Ernst & Young is the exclusive sponsor of the AASA Executive Breakfast during AAPEX. SPX is the official sponsor of the coffee station where breakfast attendees can fill-up a “to go” cup before going to the show floor.
Tables of 10 can be reserved for $750; individual tickets are $85. Tables and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
