New York, NY (May 11, 2012) – KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) today announced that its portfolio company American & Efird Global (“A&E” or the “Company”) has acquired the outstanding two-thirds share ownership of A&E Sri Lanka and A&E Bangladesh (the “Joint Ventures”) from its two joint-venture partners, Brandix Lanka Limited and Brandot International Ltd. A&E now owns 100% of both businesses. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
A&E is the largest U.S. manufacturer and the world's second-largest manufacturer and distributor of premium quality industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles. A&E thread is used by producers of apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical supplies, footwear and certain industrial products. A&E owns or operates 23 plants and employs 11,000 associates around the world directly or in partnership with joint venture partners. KPS acquired A&E from Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (NYSE: HTSI, formerly Ruddick Corporation) in November 2011.
Michael Psaros, a KPS Managing Partner, said, “Our objective is to make A&E the premier manufacturer of industrial thread globally. These two acquisitions strengthen A&E’s global footprint, significantly streamline and integrate A&E’s Asian operations, and positions A&E to benefit fully from the considerable growth in these local markets. We intend to grow A&E aggressively both organically and through acquisition.”
Fred Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of A&E, said, “Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are very important, high-growth markets for our Company over the long term, and we are tremendously excited about the opportunity to increase our presence in both countries. Our ability to take full control of the operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will strengthen our unparalleled ability to provide our customers with the highest quality thread and consistently superior service throughout this strategic region.”
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to A&E and its affiliate and Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Brandot International Ltd.
About American & Efird Global
American & Efird is the largest U.S. manufacturer and the world's second-largest manufacturer and distributor of industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles, produced from natural and synthetic fibers. A&E thread is used by producers of apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical supplies, footwear and certain industrial products. A&E owns or operates 23 plants and employs 11,000 associates around the world directly or in partnership with joint venture partners.
Customers select A&E as the preferred choice for industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles because of A&E’s dedication to providing its customers with the finest products and services, at the highest quality, delivered globally. Learn more about A&E at www.amefird.com.
About KPS Capital Partners
KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with approximately $21.4 billion of assets under management (as of December 31, 2023). For over three decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds’ portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $20.3 billion, operate 222 manufacturing facilities in 26 countries, and have approximately 48,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com.
