NEW YORK, May 1, 2013 – Arsenal Capital Partners (Arsenal), today announced the acquisition of Arnco, one of the world’s largest suppliers of polyurethane products. Arnco is the first acquisition of Arsenal under the umbrella of Dash Multi-Corp. (Dash), a platform portfolio company focusing on the specialty technologies of polyurethane systems, vinyl plastisols and recycled rubber products.
Established in 1971, Arnco operates through five main business units: Arnco Tire Flatproofing, the world’s largest manufacturer of tire flatproofing systems; Arnco Performance Polymers, a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance polyurethane systems; Carefree Tire, supplier of an extensive line of light weight solid, micro-cellular polyurethane tires; Arnco Construction Products, which creates flexible and rigid roofing spray foams and UV protective coatings; and Arnco Europe, based in Manchester, UK and provides manufacturing and customer support for three continents. Arnco, headquartered in South Gate, California, has global manufacturing capabilities in South Gate, CA, Berea, OH, Manchester, England, and Jiaxing City, China. For additional information on Arnco please visit www.arnconet.com.
Arsenal, a leading New York-based private equity firm that invests in middle-market specialty industrial and healthcare companies, acquired Dash on December 26, 2012 to create a leading global polyurethane and specialty materials platform.
John Televantos, a Partner at Arsenal Capital Partners and co-head of the firm’s Specialty Industrials Group, said, “Arnco has a long history of innovation in the polyurethane market, providing great solutions and service to its customers. The combination of Dash and Arnco represents an important milestone in our strategy to further build a leading polyurethane business offering a broad portfolio of products and technologies that serve multiple end markets.”
Tim Zappala, a Partner at Arsenal Capital Partners and co-head of the firm’s Specialty Industrials Group, added, “Arnco is the global market innovator in the tire flatproofing systems market. We look forward to partnering with the management and employees of Arnco and support their growth worldwide. Arnco is the first acquisition of several we expect to make globally to extend the reach of Dash Polyurethane Systems.”
Larry Carapellotti, President of Arnco said, “We are delighted with the Dash partnership. The combination positions us to better serve our customers globally and to expand our product offerings into existing and new markets. The companies are highly complementary and both become better – together as one.” Larry added, “The contributions of the employees were invaluable in making Arnco the success that it is today, and I am pleased that all of the hard work and commitment of the Arnco team has been recognized.” Following the closing, Larry Carapellotti will continue as President of Arnco and will join the board of Dash.
Andy Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Dash, said, “We are excited about this transaction and having the employees of Arnco joining the Dash Polyurethane Systems team. This acquisition of Arnco builds on our focus of providing customers with specialty formulated products and on problem solving. Further, it strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, technical expertise, and new product development initiatives. This is a very positive step toward the fulfillment of our growth strategy.”
The investment in Dash followed Arsenal’s specialty industrial investments in 2012 in IGM Resins, Plasticolors Inc., Evonik’s Colorants business and Fluoro-Seal Holdings. The firm’s current investments in the industrials sector include IGM Resins, a leading provider of intermediates to the global ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation cure coatings, inks and adhesives industry; Chromaflo Technologies, (combination of Plasticolors Inc. and Evonik’s Colorants business), the largest independent global pigment dispersion platform; Fluoro-Seal Holdings, a leading provider of unique plastic barrier, adhesion and surface enhancement products and services as well as manufacturer of value-added materials; Royal Adhesives & Sealants, a leading producer of proprietary, high-performance adhesives, sealants and coatings. Previous investments in the sector include Genovique Specialties, IDQ Holdings, Novolyte Technologies, Sermatech International, Velsicol Chemical, and Vertellus Specialties.
Arsenal recently announced the completion of Arsenal Capital Fund III LP with $875 million of committed capital, exceeding its target of $750 million. The firm’s previous fund, Arsenal Capital Partners II LP, was raised in 2006 with $500 million of committed capital. Arsenal now has over $1.6 billion of committed capital under management.
About Arsenal Capital Partners
Formed in 2000, Arsenal Capital Partners is a leading New York-headquartered private equity firm that invests in middle-market specialty industrial and healthcare companies. Arsenal makes investments in sectors where the firm has significant prior knowledge and experience. The firm targets businesses that have the potential for further value creation by working closely with management to accelerate growth and leverage the firm’s operational improvement capabilities. For additional information on Arsenal Capital Partners, please visit www.arsenalcapital.com.
About Dash Multi-Corp Inc.
Dash Multi-Corp Inc. is a company based in St. Louis, MO which manufactures custom formulated polyurethane systems, specialty vinyl plastisols and recycled rubber products. The business also manages one of the largest tire recyclers in the United States, which processes approximately 35 million pounds of tires each year which the company converts into environmentally preferred “green” recycled rubber products, keeping rubber waste out of landfills. For additional information on Dash Multi-Corp Inc. please visit www.dashmulticorp.com.
