Global leader in golf, consumer and utility vehicles to benefit from Platinum Equity’s carve out experience and operational expertise
Platinum Equity announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Club Car from Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) in a transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion. The acquisition, subject to standard closing conditions, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2021.
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, Club Car is a global manufacturer of golf cars, utility, personal transportation and other low-speed vehicles, including all-electric models, and related aftermarket parts and services. The business has been owned by Ingersoll Rand since 1995.
“Club Car is an iconic golf brand that for more than 60 years has set the industry standard for quality and innovation,” said Platinum Equity Chairman and CEO Tom Gores. “We appreciate Ingersoll Rand’s confidence in our ability to build on that legacy and support Club Car’s continued growth and expansion as a standalone company.”
Ingersoll Rand selected Platinum Equity due to the firm’s deep operational expertise and successful track record with carve-out transactions.
“We are grateful for the dedication and commitment Club Car employees have had over the years to make their business a success,” said Ingersoll Rand CEO Vicente Reynal. “We believe Platinum is well equipped to ensure a seamless transition and is the right partner to help Club Car achieve its next phase of growth and evolution.”
In addition to its leadership in fleet golf cars, today Club Car manufactures a growing line of products for consumers and for commercial customers, including hotels and resorts, college campuses, airlines, theme parks and rental companies.
“Demand for electric vehicles across many product platforms and geographies is at an all-time high,” said Club Car President Mark Wagner, who will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity’s ownership. “Golf remains a very stable, healthy business while our consumer and commercial markets are rapidly growing around the world. As our product line and geographic reach have expanded, so has the complexity of our business. Platinum’s experience and global resources will be vital to helping us continue that growth and to achieving our long-term ambitions.”
“Club Car has outstanding leadership, an entrepreneurial culture and a very close connection to its customer base, which has helped the company stay in front of new trends and create new market opportunities,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei. “We look forward to working with Mark and the management team to continue investing in innovation, product development and international expansion.”
Technology has played an important role in the company’s strategy across core and emerging segments. Built-in vehicle entertainment and interactive tools like Club Car Connect, the Shark Experience and Visage Fleet Management offer video, streaming music and news, as well as revenue-generating course and fleet management tools for course operators. Additional technology-driven offerings include the Tempo Walk autonomous caddie that caters to golfers who prefer walking rather than renting a car.
Platinum Equity expects those types of innovations to continue and will look both inside and outside the company for additional opportunities to grow revenue and enhance or expand products and services.
“Club Car is an attractive platform for strategic partnerships and prospective add-on acquisitions that can help further extend its reach into new geographies or adjacent markets,” said Platinum Equity Managing Director Matt Louie. “We have a lot of experience helping companies grow and will put our M&A resources to work on the company’s behalf.”
Platinum Equity has 25 years’ experience acquiring and operating global businesses that have been part of large corporate entities. In recent years the firm has acquired businesses from Ball Corporation, Emerson Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Newell Brands, Office Depot, Pitney Bowes, and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, among others.
Credit Suisse and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors to Platinum Equity on the acquisition of Club Car and Morgan Lewis is serving as Platinum Equity’s legal counsel. BofA Securities will lead the debt financing for Platinum Equity and Club Car. Willkie Farr is providing financing counsel to Platinum Equity on the transaction.
Goldman Sachs is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Ingersoll Rand and Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as its legal counsel.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $25 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners V, a $10 billion global buyout fund, and Platinum Equity Small Cap Fund, a $1.5 billion buyout fund focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 25 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 300 acquisitions.
About Ingersoll Rand Inc.
Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to helping make life better for our employees, customers and communities. Customers lean on us for our technology-driven excellence in mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions across 40+ respected brands where our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity and efficiency. For more information, visit www.IRCO.com.
About Club Car
With over 60 years of experience of innovation and design in producing small-wheel vehicles, Club Car is a leading manufacturer of gas and electric golf, utility and personal transportation vehicles. Founded in 1958, the Club Car product portfolio has grown to include much more than golf cars, now encompassing vehicles for commercial and consumer markets, built with an uncompromised desire for superior performance. As an industry leader in electrification and sustainability, Club Car is proud to be on the forefront of environmentally responsible Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) technologies. For more information, visit www.clubcar.com.
