PLZ Aeroscience acquires Champion Brands
PLZ Aeroscience, a maker of aerosol and liquid products, announced the purchase of Clinton, Missouri, U.S.A.-based Champion Brands, which makes lubricants used in the automotive and industrial industries, for an undisclosed amount.
With this acquisition, PLZ Aeroscience expands its full-service automotive and industrial offering, positioning the company to better serve its customers with a comprehensive suite of aerosol and non-aerosol products. PLZ Aeroscience is owned by Pritzker Private Capital, a family-owned private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Founded by Ralph Lowe in 1956 and with more than 65 years of market leadership, Champion has one of the largest product portfolios in the lubricants industry. Champion produces more than 300 functional fluids and performance products, including brake fluid, fuel treatments, semi-synthetic and full-synthetic engine additives and specialty motor oils. Champion operates a 450,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Clinton and serves customers across automotive, heavy duty, agricultural and performance racing markets. The speed and versatility of Champion’s lines make the company a cost effective solution for many customers.
Champion is led by Matt Lowe, the third generation of Lowe leadership at the company. Lowe will remain with Champion following the transaction.
“I am thrilled for Champion to become part of the PLZ family,” said Lowe. “We look forward to leveraging PLZ’s extensive industry experience and national footprint to help grow Champion in the years to come. Together with PLZ, we will propel the combined company forward into its next chapter as we continue to deliver exceptional innovation, quality and service to our customers.”
“Champion is a market leader within the automotive aftermarket industry, and we look forward to leveraging their capabilities across our combined enterprise to strengthen the value proposition we bring to our customers,” said Aaron Erter, PLZ’s president and CEO. Erter was named CEO of Downers Grove, Illinois-based PLZ Aeroscience in November 2020, shortly after the company purchased shampoo and personal care product company Mansfield-King of Indianapolis for a undisclosed amount.
PLZ Aeroscience, established in 1939, develops, manufactures, packages and distributes contract fill, branded and private-label products. The company formulates, blends, fills and packages more than 2,500 branded and private-label products — including personal care products, cleaners and polishes, industrial solvents, lubricants and degreasers, adhesives, sanitary supply disinfectants, insecticides and air fresheners for home and industrial use.
echo '
