NEW YORK CITY — May 11, 2012 — KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) today announced that its portfolio
company American & Efird Global (“A&E” or the “Company”) has acquired the outstanding
two-thirds share ownership of A&E Sri Lanka and A&E Bangladesh (the “Joint Ventures”) from
its two joint-venture partners, Brandix Lanka Limited and Brandot International Ltd. A&E
now owns 100% of both businesses. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
A&E is the largest U.S. manufacturer and the world’s second-largest manufacturer and
distributor of premium quality industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles.
A&E thread is used by producers of apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical
supplies, footwear and certain industrial products. A&E owns or operates 23 plants and
employs 11,000 associates around the world directly or in partnership with joint venture
partners. KPS acquired A&E from Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (NYSE: HTSI, formerly
Ruddick Corporation) in November 2011.
Michael Psaros, a KPS Managing Partner, said, “Our objective is to make A&E the premier
manufacturer of industrial thread globally. These two acquisitions strengthen A&E’s global
footprint, significantly streamline and integrate A&E’s Asian operations, and positions A&E
to benefit fully from the considerable growth in these local markets. We intend to grow A&E
aggressively both organically and through acquisition.”
Fred Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of A&E, said, “Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are very
important, high-growth markets for our Company over the long term, and we are tremendously excited
about the opportunity to increase our presence in both countries. Our ability to take full control
of the operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will strengthen our unparalleled ability to provide
our customers with the highest quality thread and consistently superior service throughout this
strategic region.”
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to A&E and its
affiliate and Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Brandot International Ltd.
Posted on May 15, 2012
Source: KPS Capital Partners LP
