MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies

Mike Delahanty · 01-05-2015, 09:27 PM

Has anyone kept track of how man times Accel, Mr.Gasket and the others have been the subject of these type of "deals". MSD has some pretty sharp guys at the top and have an aggressive product expansion plan. Should be interesting.

Z Capital Partners Portfolio Company MSDP Group Acquires ACCEL Performance Group

Acquisition of Prominent Automotive Performance Parts Manufacturer to Accelerate Growth at MSDP

January 05, 2015 01:08 PM Eastern Standard Time

EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSDP Group LLC (“MSDP” or the “Company”), a global leader in vehicle aftermarket performance ignition and tuning technology, today announced that the Company has acquired ACCEL Performance Group (“ACCEL”), a prominent performance aftermarket parts manufacturer, with brands including ACCEL, Mr. Gasket, Mallory Ignition, Lakewood, QuickTime and Hays brands. http://accelnation.com/

“ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the Company’s product portfolio”

“The acquisition of ACCEL significantly enhances our position in ignition technology and allows MSDP to expand our product portfolio aimed squarely at diehard racing and street performance enthusiasts,” said Rick Ruebusch, Chief Executive Officer of MSDP. “ACCEL complements our existing brands, providing us with both increased capability and an unmatched footprint in the aftermarket platform. With this complementary acquisition and ACCEL’s impressive portfolio of brands, MSDP has an even greater ability to serve our customers with new, innovative product offerings and a higher level of personal service.”

“The automotive aftermarket is a highly dynamic space with consumers that are deeply passionate about performance, reliability, and heritage as well as the challenges of next-generation vehicles and government regulations,” continued Mr. Ruebusch. “Adding ACCEL to the MSDP family gives us the bandwidth and brands to ensure that we continue delivering value to our customers and stakeholders.”

“ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the Company’s product portfolio,” said James Zenni, Chairman of MSDP and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. (“Z Capital”). “Since making our investment in December 2013, MSDP has experienced significant growth, as well as enhanced its product innovation, brand marketing and distribution strategies. We look forward to the Company’s continued success with the addition of ACCEL and its impressive collection of brands.”

MSDP is a portfolio company of Z Capital.

About MSDP Group LLC

MSDP, headquartered in El Paso, Texas, operates in the street enthusiast, professional racer and powersports markets, where they maintain industry-leading market share positions across all of their product categories under the MSD®, Racepak®, Superchips® and Edge® brands. http://www.msdperformance.com/

About ACCEL Performance Group

ACCEL specializes in performance ignition coils, CD boxes, spark plugs, wires, fuel injectors, filters and pumps. Mr. Gasket is a trusted name, synonymous with engine sealing products and appearance accessories. Lakewood and QuickTime manufacture the world’s best and most complete line of bell housings and suspension products. Hays is a legendary clutch, flywheel and flexplate brand for both street cars and race applications. Mallory Ignition manufactures ignition products for American muscle cars and street rods.

About Z Capital Partners

Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. is a leading private equity firm with approximately $1.9 billion of regulatory assets under management and with offices in Lake Forest, IL and New York, NY. Z Capital pursues a value-oriented approach in private equity that includes making control investments in companies that may require growth capital, balance sheet and or operational improvements.

Z Capital portfolio companies currently have aggregate worldwide annual revenues of approximately $1.5 billion, sell products in over 30 countries, and have in excess of 190,000 associates directly and through joint ventures.

Z Capital’s investors include prominent global sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices, wealth management firms and other financial institutions in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

RACER1530 · 01-05-2015, 11:39 PM

And they were in chapter 11 in 2013

Adger Smith · 01-06-2015, 01:29 AM

Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. is in the business of getting good companies out of Chapter 11. Wonder if they want some new old stock Accel parts.??

Bobby DiDomenico · 01-06-2015, 09:09 AM

It has to be tough for these companies as many street vehicles never get "updated" with their products. Had a 1976 Cutlass and when the GM coil in cap went bad I purchased Accel cap, rotor, wires and never had an issue after that.
If you can go 11's with a stock 4 cylinder Mustang as another post said, that's plenty fast for commuting in todays endless bumper to bumper traffic right?

boxmotorsports · 01-06-2015, 02:01 PM

Hey Mike, I know this is off topic, but how are you making out with scheduling Stock / super stock races at Milan? We enjoyed the races there last year .
Thanks
D Box

SSGT Mustang · 01-06-2015, 03:58 PM

After my experience with Accel this summer when buying an almost $900 data logger, I can't imagine that any other company could do a worse job of product quality assurance or most importantly customer support.

Two times they sent me incomplete systems, and the customer "support" people gave me and the retailer a hassle about returning them. One "support" person basically told me that it's "normal" to get incomplete systems because they employ so many people and do so much business. He didn't seem to care one bit, and wouldn't even look into the situation and try to fix it.

All I can say is never again.

01-05-2015, 09:27 PM	#1
Mike Delahanty VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,200 Likes: 0 Liked 271 Times in 53 Posts	MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies Has anyone kept track of how man times Accel, Mr.Gasket and the others have been the subject of these type of "deals". MSD has some pretty sharp guys at the top and have an aggressive product expansion plan. Should be interesting. Z Capital Partners Portfolio Company MSDP Group Acquires ACCEL Performance Group Acquisition of Prominent Automotive Performance Parts Manufacturer to Accelerate Growth at MSDP January 05, 2015 01:08 PM Eastern Standard Time EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSDP Group LLC (“MSDP” or the “Company”), a global leader in vehicle aftermarket performance ignition and tuning technology, today announced that the Company has acquired ACCEL Performance Group (“ACCEL”), a prominent performance aftermarket parts manufacturer, with brands including ACCEL, Mr. Gasket, Mallory Ignition, Lakewood, QuickTime and Hays brands. http://accelnation.com/ “ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the Company’s product portfolio” “The acquisition of ACCEL significantly enhances our position in ignition technology and allows MSDP to expand our product portfolio aimed squarely at diehard racing and street performance enthusiasts,” said Rick Ruebusch, Chief Executive Officer of MSDP. “ACCEL complements our existing brands, providing us with both increased capability and an unmatched footprint in the aftermarket platform. With this complementary acquisition and ACCEL’s impressive portfolio of brands, MSDP has an even greater ability to serve our customers with new, innovative product offerings and a higher level of personal service.” “The automotive aftermarket is a highly dynamic space with consumers that are deeply passionate about performance, reliability, and heritage as well as the challenges of next-generation vehicles and government regulations,” continued Mr. Ruebusch. “Adding ACCEL to the MSDP family gives us the bandwidth and brands to ensure that we continue delivering value to our customers and stakeholders.” “ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the Company’s product portfolio,” said James Zenni, Chairman of MSDP and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. (“Z Capital”). “Since making our investment in December 2013, MSDP has experienced significant growth, as well as enhanced its product innovation, brand marketing and distribution strategies. We look forward to the Company’s continued success with the addition of ACCEL and its impressive collection of brands.” MSDP is a portfolio company of Z Capital. About MSDP Group LLC MSDP, headquartered in El Paso, Texas, operates in the street enthusiast, professional racer and powersports markets, where they maintain industry-leading market share positions across all of their product categories under the MSD®, Racepak®, Superchips® and Edge® brands. http://www.msdperformance.com/ About ACCEL Performance Group ACCEL specializes in performance ignition coils, CD boxes, spark plugs, wires, fuel injectors, filters and pumps. Mr. Gasket is a trusted name, synonymous with engine sealing products and appearance accessories. Lakewood and QuickTime manufacture the world’s best and most complete line of bell housings and suspension products. Hays is a legendary clutch, flywheel and flexplate brand for both street cars and race applications. Mallory Ignition manufactures ignition products for American muscle cars and street rods. About Z Capital Partners Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. is a leading private equity firm with approximately $1.9 billion of regulatory assets under management and with offices in Lake Forest, IL and New York, NY. Z Capital pursues a value-oriented approach in private equity that includes making control investments in companies that may require growth capital, balance sheet and or operational improvements. Z Capital portfolio companies currently have aggregate worldwide annual revenues of approximately $1.5 billion, sell products in over 30 countries, and have in excess of 190,000 associates directly and through joint ventures. Z Capital’s investors include prominent global sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices, wealth management firms and other financial institutions in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. __________________ Been racing Stock and S/S cars since 1973.

01-05-2015, 11:39 PM	#2
RACER1530 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jersey Posts: 161 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies And they were in chapter 11 in 2013 __________________ Fordyce Motorsports SC 1538 / SC 153R

01-06-2015, 01:29 AM	#3
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. is in the business of getting good companies out of Chapter 11. Wonder if they want some new old stock Accel parts.?? __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

01-06-2015, 09:09 AM	#4
Bobby DiDomenico Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 923 Likes: 101 Liked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Re: MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies It has to be tough for these companies as many street vehicles never get "updated" with their products. Had a 1976 Cutlass and when the GM coil in cap went bad I purchased Accel cap, rotor, wires and never had an issue after that. If you can go 11's with a stock 4 cylinder Mustang as another post said, that's plenty fast for commuting in todays endless bumper to bumper traffic right?

01-06-2015, 02:01 PM	#5
boxmotorsports Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 87 Likes: 3 Liked 58 Times in 23 Posts	Re: MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies Hey Mike, I know this is off topic, but how are you making out with scheduling Stock / super stock races at Milan? We enjoyed the races there last year . Thanks D Box

01-06-2015, 03:58 PM	#6
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies After my experience with Accel this summer when buying an almost $900 data logger, I can't imagine that any other company could do a worse job of product quality assurance or most importantly customer support. Two times they sent me incomplete systems, and the customer "support" people gave me and the retailer a hassle about returning them. One "support" person basically told me that it's "normal" to get incomplete systems because they employ so many people and do so much business. He didn't seem to care one bit, and wouldn't even look into the situation and try to fix it. All I can say is never again.