DANBURY, Conn. — Armored AutoGroup Parent Inc., a manufacturer of car care products primarily under the Armor All and STP brands, has announced that it has acquired IDQ Acquisition Corp., a manufacturer of do-it-yourself air conditioner recharge products previously owned by an affiliate of Kinderhook Industries LLC. Armored AutoGroup is controlled by Avista Capital Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
IDQ products include air conditioning recharge and retrofit kits, premium refrigerant blends, specialty chemicals, straight refrigerants and a wide range of complementary do-it-yourself and professional-use items. IDQ products are branded under labels including A/C PRO, Arctic Freeze, Sub Zero and Super Seal Stop Leak and are sold through roughly 25,000 retail stores.
In connection with the transaction, several personnel changes have been announced:
Dave Lundstedt, who has served as chairman and CEO of Armored AutoGroup since its separation from Clorox in 2010, will be named chairman of the combined business.
Michael Klein, CEO of IDQ, will be named CEO.
Guy Andrysick, executive vice president of Armored AutoGroup, will be executive vice president of global sales and marketing of the combined business.
Gerry Rooney, chief financial officer of IDQ, will serve as executive vice president of operations and lead integration efforts.
Andy Bolt, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Armored AutoGroup, will serve as executive vice president and CFO of the combined business.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the combined Armored AutoGroup and IDQ," said Klein. "The unified company is well-positioned to deliver value to our customers, employees and financial stakeholders through our industry-leading product portfolio, including the iconic Armor All and STP brands as well as A/C PRO, Arctic Freeze and Sub Zero. Leveraging Armored AutoGroup’s international infrastructure will help to drive actionable, near-term growth opportunities for IDQ’s products. As we begin to execute upon our growth strategy for the combined business, I am grateful to have the benefit of Dave Lundstedt’s counsel, given his long history of success in the automotive aftermarket industry."
Added Dave Lundstedt, chairman of Armored AutoGroup, "We are very excited to be adding the IDQ team to the Armored AutoGroup family. IDQ’s unique products offer consumers tremendous value compared to having a mechanic perform an air conditioning recharge. IDQ’s leadership in the air conditioning recharge category is a perfect complement to our strength in the appearance and performance chemical categories. Michael Klein is an outstanding leader, and I look forward to working with him to help the combined business achieve its full potential."
JPMorgan and BTG Pactual advised Armored AutoGroup on the transaction. Jefferies advised IDQ on the transaction and served as solicitation agent in connection with the solicitation of consents from holders of IDQ’s existing bonds, which will remain outstanding following the transaction.
