Powersports Distribution Group (PDG), owner of Dutch distribution businesses Hoco Parts and Motoria, has acquired Nazareth, Belgium based sprockets, chains and batteries specialist DC AFAM from German owner KettenWulf.
With the acquisition of DC AFAM, PDG further positions itself as a leading European wholesaler of premium motorcycle parts and accessories, and as a preferred partner for its customers, suppliers and employees. PDG has the ambition to pursue DC AFAM’s successful growth strategy and to further develop the long-term partnerships that DC AFAM has established with its suppliers and customers.
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| SHIDO Connect LiFePO4, described as the “first smart battery ever”, a Bluetooth enabled battery that connects to an Android or Apple smartphone via Bluetooth so that the rider can stay informed on the health of the lithium battery in real time |
Well known sprocket manufacturer AFAM was established in France in 1978 and Dynachains a year later in Belgium as two entirely separate, independent businesses. German manufacturer KettenWulf acquired Dynachains in 1992 and AFAM in 2002, combining the two businesses as DC AFAM in 2003.
DC AFAM also sells oil filters under the ISON brand and entered the highly competitive lithium ion battery market with SHIDO in 2011. Earlier this year they launched the SHIDO Connect LiFePO4 – describing it as the “first smart battery ever”, a Bluetooth enabled battery that can be monitored in real time via an Android or Apple smartphone.
Details of the sale to PDG have not been released, but it marks a third addition to a recently set up ‘Buy and Build’ strategy business division established by Dutch equity investor Torqx Capital Partners.
Headquartered near Amsterdam, the Torqx fund is a mid-market equity fund, €150 million in size. It has backing from Torqx management and international institutional investors. Torqx, headed up by Managing Partner Peter Kroeze, says that it “invests in medium-sized companies that have the potential to become leaders in their field - using our experience, our network and our resources to help them get there.”
www.afam.com
www.hocoparts.com
