H-D Advanced Manufacturing Appoints Donald A. Brown as President and Chief Executive Officer of Overton Chicago Gear Corporation

CHICAGO, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company (H-D), a heavy duty industrial company focused on high-precision manufactured products used in motion control and other applications, announced today that Donald A. Brown has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Overton Chicago Gear Corporation (OCG or the Company), a leading manufacturer and provider of large, custom, mission-critical gears, gearboxes and repair services. Mr. Brown brings to OCG more than 20 years of management experience in the global manufacturing sector. Former OCG Chief Executive Officer Lou Ertel will remain Chairman of the Company's board, in addition to his duties as Chairman of the American Gear Manufacturers Association.

Mr. Brown joins OCG from Carlisle Brake & Friction, a $350mm division of Carlisle Companies (formerly Wellman Products Group) where he was Vice President of Global Operations and Carlisle Operating Systems (COS). During his eight-year tenure at Carlisle Brake & Friction, he was responsible for the company's global operations, including sourcing, purchasing, engineering, quality and quality systems, COS, and Environmental, Health and Safety functions.

Christopher DiSantis, CEO of H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company, said, "We are proud to have attracted an executive of Don's caliber to lead OCG. Don is a highly accomplished manufacturing executive and a proven leader. He is widely known for his uncompromising drive for operational excellence, and his hire is a great development for our customers who will benefit from his relentless focus on customer service. We look forward to OCG 's successful future under his leadership."

Mr. Brown said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead OCG, a company known for excellent customer service and manufacturing high-quality gears and gearboxes. Since forming H-D and acquiring OCG, Chris and his team have strengthened the Company's market position, and I am excited to pursue the many attractive growth opportunities available to us. Today's customer demands a strategic supply partner that thinks as they do and is nimble enough to anticipate their future needs as the market changes. Our entire team is focused on ensuring that we remain that partner for our current and future customers." 

H-D was formed in December 2012 by Hicks Equity Partners, The Riverside Company and Weinberg Capital Group, in partnership with Mr. DiSantis. H-D and its shareholders continue to seek acquisition opportunities in the gear and bearing space serving multiple industries and within other heavy duty, high-precision manufacturing sectors. H-D also owns Edmonton-based Innovative Mechanical Solutions, or iMech, a manufacturer of longer lasting, custom designed thrust bearings used in horizontal and directional drilling, and Edmonton-based Leading Edge Heat Treating Services.

Before joining Carlisle Brake & Friction, Mr. Brown served as Vice President of Operations at Hawk Precision Components Group, a supplier of precision components used in numerous industrial applications. He was responsible for managing Hawk's operational leaders in its U.S. facilities, representing sales of approximately $90 million. He previously served as Director of Operations, responsible for the operations of facilities located in Falls Creek and Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He also served as Vice President and General Manager of Hawk Motors, a supplier of die cast aluminum rotors for the electric motor industry.

H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company
H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company seeks to acquire operating companies in the severe duty, high-precision manufacturing sector targeting "mission critical" products and applications. H-D is led by Chris DiSantis, the former CEO of Latrobe Specialty Metals and the former President and COO of Hawk Corporation, and Dale Mikus, the former CFO of Latrobe Specialty Metals. H-D strives to enable its customers to be leaders in their respective industries by providing world class products, excellent customer service, highly responsive lead times and efficient manufacturing operations.

Hicks Equity Partners
Hicks Equity Partners (HEP) is the private equity arm for Hicks Holdings LLC, a holding company for the Thomas O. Hicks family's assets. With 35 years of private equity experience, Mr. Hicks pioneered the "buy and build" strategy of investing and founded Hicks Muse Tate & Furst, which raised more than $12 billion of private equity across six funds and completed over $50 billion of leveraged acquisitions. HEP looks for established companies with proven track records, strong free cash flow characteristics, a strong competitive industry position and an experienced management team looking to partner with long-term capital.

The Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring growing businesses valued at up to $200 million (€200 million in Europe). Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 300 transactions. The firm's international portfolio includes more than 70 companies. (http://www.riversidecompany.com or http://www.riversideeurope.com)

SOURCE H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company