DANBURY, Conn. Armored AutoGroup Inc. has acquired, through its Armored Auto UK Limited subsidiary, the Kent Chamois Co. Ltd., which markets and sells a wide range of car care accessories under the Kent Car Care brand in the U.K. and Europe. The Kent Chamois Co. is based near Tunbridge Wells, U.K., and has annual sales in excess of $5 million.
Armored AutoGroup purchased the business for approximately $3.8 million, provided from the company’s operating funds. The company said it expects the transaction to be leverage accretive based on Kent’s historical operating results.
Dave Lundstedt, CEO of Armored AutoGroup, said, "The acquisition of Kent is consistent with our desire to grow our international business and is highly complementary to our existing European product line."
Ian Doherty, managing director, EMEA, for Armored AutoGroup, added, "The Kent Car Care brand is the market leader in car care accessories in the U.K. and has very little overlap with our existing ranges. We are looking forward to being able to offer all our customers in the U.K., Europe and the Middle East a much more comprehensive range of products. I have developed a high level of respect for Jerry Salaman, managing director and founder of Kent, as we worked together on this transaction and I am delighted that Jerry has agreed to stay on and work with us to ensure that the integration of the ranges is a success for us and our customers."
Salaman commented, "I am very excited about this change. It is a strong fit for the Kent brand and a real opportunity to grow the brand in the U.K. and across Europe. Armored AutoGroup is a strong cultural fit with the team at Kent and we are all looking forward to growing together."