Rochelle Park, NJ – DAK, a leading investment bank specializing in middle-market mergers and acquisitions worldwide, announces the sale of its client American Van Equipment, headquartered in Lakewood, NJ to Safe Fleet of Belton, MO.
DAK served as the exclusive investment banker and financial advisor to American Van, managing the entire divestiture process.
“The owners of American Van have built an outstanding business. The sale to Safe Fleet offers American Van an excellent opportunity to continue to grow their vision, as well as an exceptional opportunity to monetize their lifelong investment,” stated Alan Scharfstein, President of DAK.
This transaction capitalizes on American Van’s leadership position in the direct to consumer manufacture and distribution of van and truck shelving, storage systems, and accessories. For over 40 years American Van has worked directly with contractors, businesses and fleet owners, providing practical storage solutions for vans and trucks. Starting in 1978 as a catalog company, then moving into E-Commerce, customers have depended on their superior products and outstanding customer service.
“Joining Safe Fleet is a tremendous growth opportunity for the American Van family of products and employees,” said Chuck Richter, President, American Van.
Safe Fleet is a leading global provider of safety and productivity solutions for fleet vehicles. This acquisition solidifies Safe Fleet’s position within the Work Truck industry as the preeminent provider of safety and productivity solutions.
The DAK Deal Team was led by Alan Sharfstein, President, along with Mike Richmond, Elyse Greenbaum and Melvyn Peters. John Aiello, Partner at Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla led the legal team along with Steve Dalton, Jeri Abrams, Kurt Anderson and Steve Shur.
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About DAK
www.dakgroup.com
DAK is a leading investment bank serving mid-market privately held businesses in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business sale, financial restructuring, bankruptcy, capital advisory, valuations and fairness opinions. Since 1984, DAK has executed hundreds of transactions across a wide range of industries. The DAK Value Accelerator is the propriety process that allows clients to maximize the value of their business. DAK is headquartered in Rochelle Park, NJ with an office in Philadelphia.
About American Van Equipment
www.americanvan.com
Headquartered in Lakewood, NJ, American Van Equipment began manufacturing and supplying local companies with ladder racks and van shelving in 1978. American Van operates three showrooms, has a robust online presence at AmericanVan.com and mails millions of catalogs annually to contractors and business owners across the United States, offering practical storage solutions for vans and trucks. Unlike most catalog/retailers, it also manufactures most of the products it sells.
About Safe Fleet
www.safefleet.net
Headquartered in Belton, MO, Safe Fleet owns a portfolio of brands that provide safety and productivity
solutions to fleet vehicle manufacturers and operators around the world. These brands serve several major
markets including: Bus, Rail, RV, Truck & Trailer, Work Truck, Law Enforcement, Emergency, Waste,
Industrial, and Military. Safe Fleet’s Work Truck business unit delivers safety and productivity solutions,
such as ergonomic ladder racks, access platforms, and video and telematics applications, to the work truck
industry from leading Safe Fleet brands such as Prime Design, Randall Manufacturing, ROM, FRC, Bustin,
RVS Systems, and Seon. With over 1,300 employees and 11 manufacturing locations, Safe Fleet targets
markets with increasing demand for operator, passenger, and pedestrian safety. For more information
about Safe Fleet and its portfolio of brands, please visit www.safefleet.net. Safe Fleet is a portfolio company
of Oak Hill Capital Partners.
