Cardone Industries to be sold to TPG Capital

Cardone Industries has signed definitive agreements for the acquisition of its North American operations by affiliates of TPG Capital L.P., a leading global private investment firm.

Following the transaction, TPG will become the controlling shareholder and will work with the Cardone family and executive team to continue the company’s growth. The transaction is expected to close at the end of 2011. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The remanufactured automotive parts industry is as strong as it has ever been and Cardone experienced the best sales year in the company’s history in 2010,” says Michael Cardone Jr., chairman and CEO of Cardone Industries. “Our dynamic growth and the increased demand for our products have presented Cardone with business opportunities on a scale that we have never experienced before.

“Over the past few months, Cardone explored a variety of options that would provide the company with an influx of capital to accelerate expansion and invest in the future growth of the company,” adds Cardone.  “The acquisition of Cardone by TPG will strengthen our position to pursue new product lines and further enhance our competitiveness within the industry.”

“We have been extremely impressed with the superb franchise that the Cardone family and its employees have built in the remanufacturing segment,” says Kevin Burns, partner at TPG Capital.  “With its diverse portfolio of remanufactured products for cars and light trucks, and unmatched reputation for quality and reliability, Cardone ensures its customers can meet the growing needs of the aging U.S. auto fleet. We look forward to working with the Cardone team to build upon the great foundation that’s already in place.”

Cardone Industries, founded in 1970, is a privately held, family-owned and operated company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa. Over the course of 42 years and three generations, the Cardone family built the company from the ground up to become a world leader in the automotive remanufacturing industry with operations in five countries and 6,000 employees. The Cardone family reports it "is committed to remaining an important part of the company and looks forward to working with TPG to grow the business."

TPG Capital is a leading global private investment firm founded in 1992 with $48 billion of assets under management and offices around the globe. TPG Capital has extensive experience with global public and private investments executed through leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, growth investments, joint ventures and restructurings.

TPG has helped to optimize and grow many industrial businesses including American Tire Distributors. The firm has also invested in world-class companies in a variety of industries including Burger King, Neiman Marcus, J.Crew and PETCO. See www.tpg.com for more information.