MT. PLEASANT, Texas & SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Big Tex Trailers and American Trailer Works (ATW), two leading companies in the North American professional and consumer-grade trailer industry, today announced that their merger is now complete. The combined business creates a broad platform of trailer products sold through a variety of distribution channels, including a strong independent dealer network. The combined company will be led by Curt Howell as CEO. The management team will be assembled from the executive ranks of both Big Tex and ATW.
Founded in 1982, Big Tex manufactures professional grade open utility, equipment, horse, livestock, and cargo trailers and truck beds sold via independent dealers and company-owned stores under such brands as Big Tex and CM. American Trailer Works was founded in 1992 and makes and distributes utility and cargo trailers that are sold through independent dealers and national retailers under the PJ Trailers, Carry-On Trailer, RC Trailers and other private-label brand names.
“With the merger of Big Tex and ATW now official, we begin the integration effort and the dialogue around how best to move forward and seize the growth opportunities that lie ahead as one innovative company,” said Howell. “We have a simple goal -- to provide high quality, durable products and responsive service that help our dealers and customers build their business.”
“We are excited to work with Curt and the management team to support their focus on growth opportunities in the marketplace,” said Todd Cook, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity, which acquired Big Tex in 2015 and supported plans to merge the business with ATW. “As a combined company marketing a variety of leading trailer brands, we believe there are significant opportunities to leverage the greater scale to enhance service to dealers, build out in key markets, and add value to business partners.”
Goldman Sachs and Barclays provided debt financing commitments for the merger. BMO Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs and Barclays acted as financial advisors, Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as accounting advisor to Bain Capital Private Equity.
About Big Tex
Headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, TX, Big Tex is the leading national manufacturer of professional-grade trailers, parts and supplies. Big Tex sells its family of leading trailer brands, including Big Tex Trailers, CM/S&H Trailers, Circle J and CM Truck Beds, through a diversified network of over 600 dealers nationwide. The Company maintains manufacturing and assembly facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Idaho. The Company’s Tex Trail division is a leading parts distributor. For more information, please visit www.bigtextrailers.com.
About American Trailer Works
Headquartered in Southlake, TX, American Trailer Works is a leading manufacturer and distributor of utility and cargo trailers in North America. American Trailer Works sells trailers through independent dealers and national retailers under the PJ Trailers, Carry-On Trailer, RC Trailers, Middlebury Trailers and other private-label brand names. More information about the company is available at http://www.americantrailerworks.com.
About Bain Capital Private Equity
Bain Capital Private Equity (www.baincapitalprivateequity.com) has partnered closely with management teams to provide the strategic resources that build great companies and help them thrive since our founding in 1984. Our team of more than 400 investment professionals creates value for our portfolio companies through our global platform and depth of expertise in key vertical industries including industrials, consumer/retail, financial and business services, healthcare, and technology, media and telecommunications. In addition to private equity, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including credit, public equity and venture capital, and leverages the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus.