NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — American Industrial Partners (“AIP”), a middle-market private equity firm focused on acquiring and improving North American-headquartered industrial businesses, completed the acquisition of the Transportation Products division (“CTP” or the “Company”) of Carlisle Companies Incorporated (“Carlisle“) on December 31, 2013. The investment was made out of American Industrial Partners Capital Fund V, LP a $717.5 million fund that closed in December 2011.

CTP, founded in 1917, is a leading manufacturer of specialty tires, wheels and power transmission belts for a diverse range of end markets including the outdoor power equipment, agricultural / construction, high speed trailer and power sports markets. The Company has revenue of approximately $765 million and 4,000 employees across 7 manufacturing facilities and 10 distribution facilities located in the United States, Canada, Europe and China.

AIP has a long history of successfully buying industrial businesses, such as CTP, and partnering with management to drive growth. “We are very excited about the acquisition of CTP,” said Joel Rotroff of AIP. “The Company has built a very strong brand over its nearly 100-year history and is the market leader in the majority of the markets in which it competes.”

“Working alongside an exceptional management team and talented collection of employees, we plan to drive operational enhancements that will allow CTP to more efficiently and effectively serve the needs of our global customers,” said Justin Fish of AIP.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the American Industrial Partners team,” said Kevin Forster, CEO of CTP. “As a standalone company, we intend to further invest in our business and build on our long-standing customer relationships and market leading distribution network to further differentiate CTP from its competitors.”

About American Industrial Partners

American Industrial Partners (“AIP”) is an operationally oriented middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in North American-based industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets. The Firm has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989. To date, AIP has completed over 40 transactions and is currently managing more than $1.1 billion in equity capital. AIP invests in all forms of corporate divestitures, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and going-private transactions of established businesses with revenues of $100 million to $750 million.

SOURCE American Industrial Partners