PE-backed MSDP appoints new CEO

MSDP, which is backed by Z Capital, has named Richard T. Ruebusch as CEO. The appointment becomes effective July 1. Ruebusch replaces interim CEO Ron Turcotte. Previously, Ruebusch worked at Columbus Castings where he served as president and CEO. Based in El Paso, Texas, MSDP is a provider of vehicle aftermarket performance parts.

PRESS RELEASE

EL PASO, Texas, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — MSDP Group (“MSDP” or “Company”), one of the world leaders in vehicle aftermarket performance parts [through the MSD, Edge, Superchips and Racepak brands, today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Richard T. Ruebusch as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1. Mr. Ruebusch succeeds Ron Turcotte, who was serving as interim CEO.

The Company’s announcement follows an extensive internal and external search, which the Board of Directors conducted in partnership with an executive search firm.

Prior to joining MSDP, Mr. Ruebusch was President and Chief Executive Officer at Columbus Castings, the largest steel foundry in North America. During his time at Columbus Castings, Mr. Ruebusch significantly improved operating margins and implemented various growth initiatives, including the development of key new products, such as the Z-Knuckle. Before Columbus Castings, Mr. Ruebusch held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer at Montana Silversmiths, a portfolio company of American Capital, where he grew top line organic sales by 20% at one of American Capital’s largest companies serving the western and equine business sector. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Ruebusch was President of Dehydration and Filtration, a global unit of SPX Corporation, where he successfully drove year over year sales by 12% and executed on the unit’s M&A initiatives. Earlier in his career, he held executive positions at MTD Consumer Products and Tecumseh Products Company. Mr. Ruebusch serves on various Boards and graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in engineering.

“This is a great addition to the MSDP team,” said James J. Zenni, President and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital. “Rick brings extensive industry experience in manufacturing, with a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and implementing growth initiatives. With his insights and expertise, we will be able to capitalize on MSDP’s position as an industry leader in the automotive performance aftermarket and elevate the Company to new heights. I look forward to working with Rick and the rest of the talented MSDP leadership team as the Company enters its next phase of growth.”

“I am excited to join MSDP at this pivotal time,” commented Richard T. Ruebusch, Chief Executive Officer of MSDP. “The Company has an industry-leading platform and established portfolio of innovative products, and now with Z Capital’s sponsorship, the Company has the right tools and support system to strategically grow. I look forward to working with the rest of the team towards the shared goal of expanding the Company’s product offerings and global presence to better serve MSDP’s customers.”

About MSDP Group
MSDP Group, LLC, headquartered in El Paso, Texas, operates in the street enthusiast, professional racer and powersports markets where they maintain industry leading market share positions across all of their product categories under the MSD®, Racepak®, Superchips® and Edge® brands. You can shop their products online at www.msdperformance.com, www.powerteq.com and www.racepak.com, or visit one of their many automotive and performance distributors across the country.

About Z Capital Partners
Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. (“Z Capital”) is a leading private equity firm with approximately $1.7 billion of regulatory assets and committed capital under management and with offices in Lake Forest, IL and New York, NY. Z Capital pursues an opportunistic, value-oriented approach in private equity that includes making control investments in middle-market companies that may require growth capital, turnaround, restructuring or other special situations.

Z Capital portfolio companies currently have aggregate worldwide annual revenues of approximately $3 billion, sell products in 98 countries, and employs in excess of 200,000 associates directly and through joint ventures.

Z Capital’s investors include prominent global sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices, wealth management firms and other financial institutions in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.zcap.net.