PE-backed H-D buys Intellifuse

H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company, which is backed by Riverside, Hicks Equity Partners and Weinberg Capital Group, has acquired Intellifuse Coating Technologies. No financial terms were disclosed. Based in Houston, Intellifuse is a maker of coatings.

PRESS RELEASE

December 10, 2014

Intellifuse Coating Technologies (Intellifuse) has joined holding company H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company (H-D). H-D is a collection of precision engineered product manufacturers while Intellifuse provides advanced carbide-based proprietary coatings for radial bearings, wear pads and other products used in the oil & gas sector and other industries.

H-D was formed in 2012 by a partnership between The Riverside Company, Hicks Equity Partners and Weinberg Capital Group. Houston-based Intellifuse is the sixth company brought under the H-D umbrella.

Intellifuse makes coatings used in demanding situations, such as radial bearings used in mud motors for oil and gas drilling. The company designs and formulates its own products.

“Intellifuse’s products are proven in the market and will work nicely with existing H-D business lines. We’re excited to have an outstanding complementary business join our team,” said H-D CEO Chris DiSantis. “Intellifuse meets a variety of needs at our iMECH business, and provides us with a broad array of new capabilities.”

H-D holding iMECH makes thrust bearings used in the same end markets as Intellifuse’s products. By serving the same customers, the combined business will meet demand more conveniently and efficiently. H-D also sees significant potential to expand Intellifuse into new markets.

“Beyond serving existing market needs, Intellifuse’s high-tech coatings can benefit almost any steel wear component,” said Riverside Partner Tim Gosline. “Wear components are also used extensively in mining, plastics, paper, food products and more. This is a compelling growth opportunity for H-D.”

Growing rapidly since its inception, H-D continues to seek to acquire companies making gears and gearboxes, specialty bearings, aerospace components and other heavy duty precision-engineered products.

Working with Gosline on the transaction for Riverside were Principal Rob Langley, Senior Associate Jason Fulton and Associate Phillip Furbay. Partner Anne Hayes worked on financing the transaction for the firm.

KPMG and Jones Day advised Riverside on the investment.

About The Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on investing in and acquiring growing businesses valued at up to $250 million (€200 million in Europe). Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 360 transactions. The firm’s international portfolio includes more than 75 companies.