American Industrial Partners Acquires Fasteners Division From Anixter International Inc.

NEW YORK, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American Industrial Partners ("AIP"), a middle-market private equity firm focused on acquiring and improving North American-headquartered industrial businesses, completed the acquisition of the Anixter International Inc.'s OEM Supply Fasteners division.  The business has been renamed Optimas OE Solutions, LLC ("Optimas" or the "Company") and will remain headquartered in Glenview, IL.  The investment was made out of American Industrial Partners Capital Fund V, LP a $717.5 million fund that closed in December 2011.

Optimas, with approximately 1,950 employees, is a leading global distributor and manufacturer of highly-engineered fasteners and C-Class components for the commercial vehicle, luxury automotive, agricultural equipment, power generation equipment, construction, and general industrial markets. The Company's components are designed for a specific application and are often engineered to withstand harsh operating environments that include extreme temperatures, high torque and exposure to the elements.  Optimas serves over 4,000 customers in 15 countries through a network of 74 distribution and service centers located across North America, Europe, and Asia. 

"We are extremely excited to partner with AIP, who brings deep operating and industry expertise," said Ian Clarke, CEO of Optimas.  "As a standalone company, we look forward to implementing a strategic growth plan focused on serving our blue-chip customer base and enhancing our leadership position."

AIP has a long history of successfully buying industrial businesses, such as Optimas, and partnering with management to drive growth. "Optimas provides value-added supply chain and engineering solutions, and its seamless integration within its customers' operations is a critical element of the Company's and its customers' success," said Joel Stanwood of AIP.  

"With a global market leadership position driven by deep, long-standing relationships, combined with a highly-customized product portfolio, Optimas is well positioned for growth worldwide," added Eric Baroyan of AIP. "We look forward to supporting management to execute identified growth initiatives and to drive operational efficiencies at the Company."

About American Industrial Partners

American Industrial Partners ("AIP") is an operationally oriented middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in North American-based industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets.  The Firm has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989.  To date, AIP has completed over 50 transactions and is currently managing more than $1.1 billion in equity capital. AIP invests in all forms of corporate divestitures, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and going-private transactions of established businesses with revenues of $100 million $1 billion. For more information about American Industrial Partners, contact Ben DeRosa, Partner at 212-627-2360, extension 200 or Matt Rainwater, Partner at 212-627-2360, extension 219.

SOURCE American Industrial Partners