The Sterling Group’s Highline Aftermarket acquisition of Camco Manufacturing’s Liquids division took place today. Sterling Group is a Houston-based middle-market private equity firm.
Camco’s liquids division manufactures windshield wash, RV antifreeze and diesel exhaust fluid, and other privately-labeled liquid products for the automotive and RV aftermarket. The company has plants in Leominster, Massachusetts; Reidsville, North Carolina; Elkhart, Indiana; and Albany, Oregon.
Sterling Group combined the family-owned DYK company and corporate carve-out AAHC,. The two were renamed Highline Aftermarket after the acquisitions in April of 2016. The company became an automotive aftermarket distribution platform. Sterling Group later acquired Service Champ, Levin’s and South/Win to increase geographic penetration and further solidified Highline as a market leader.
The addition of the liquids division as a result of the Highline Aftermarket acquisition fortifies the company’s position as the largest nationwide network for producing and distributing selected liquids and chemicals for the automotive, RV and marine markets. Highline continues to invest rapidly to expand its blending and filling capabilities, and the addition of these liquids plants represents a substantial increase in capacity. Will DuBose, President of Manufacturing, will continue to lead Highline’s blending and filling business.
“Over 50 years, the Caine family has built a fantastic Liquids business at Camco, with a reputation for high-quality products and exceptional customer service,” Highline Aftermarket CEO Darcy Curran says. “We are excited to combine the strengths of the Liquids business with Highline’s seven plants and 14 distribution centers to better serve customers nationwide. This combination is a perfect strategic fit and enables Highline’s growth ambitions. I welcome Liquids employees and customers to Highline.”
Highline has more than doubled in size during its three-year partnership with Sterling and will continue to pursue both organic and acquisition-related growth strategies.
