Magnuson Products, the California based supercharger design and manufacturing firm has been acquired by Pendergast Partners, and Banyan Mezzanine Funds, two private equity firms, according to a press release. The firm has been focused on acquiring automotive performance companies for the last five years, when they switched focus from distribution companies to the automotive aftermarket.
Magnuson’s best known brand is of course the MagnaCharger line of superchargers. Lesser known is the research and development work the company does for OEM companies that have supercharged vehicles. We’re guessing it is that part of the business that interested the investment firms the most becase supercharging and turbocharging are going to take more and more of a role as engine displacements decrease in new vehicles. The MagnaCharger brand is definitely recognized as an industry leader in the supercharging field.
Indications are that the new ownership plans to carry on the business as it has been operating in the past. Normally we get skittish at this type of news, but knowing that the new owners have been working in the supercharger field for years now makes us more comfortable.
Here’s the whole release from Magnuson Products:
Pendergast Partners and Banyan Mezzanine Funds are pleased to announce the acquisition of Magnuson Products, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of OEM and aftermarket automotive superchargers. Company founder Jerry Magnuson has a distinguished and rich history in the supercharger business dating back nearly 40 years – culminating with Magnuson Products, a company with diverse technical capability that has lead the automotive aftermarket for many years. The company produces complete supercharger systems under the Magna Charger brand for today’s most popular performance cars and trucks. They offer a huge increase in performance and meet today’s stringent emissions standards as well.
Magnuson Products’ OEM supercharger division develops superchargers for production vehicles internationally including exotic supercars. Few aftermarket companies have the technical expertise to design and build products for the OEMs, but Magnuson has a stellar record of developing superchargers for the world’s top automotive brands.
A large part of Magnuson Products’ business is supplying specialty aftermarket vehicle makers with supercharger systems – a testament to the reliability, quality and value of these systems.
Pendergrast Partners and Banyan Mezzanine Funds looks forward to working with Magnuson Products’ current customers, and with new customers as it develops future products. The goal is to advance supercharger technology in an ever-demanding marketplace. Magnuson Products will continue to deliver with innovation and excellence.
Magnuson Products is located in Ventura, California and employs 56 people. Kim Pendergast is the CEO. Ed Tresback is the President and Chief Operations Officer. Ed has a long history with Magnuson Products and the automotive aftermarket. Further information on the companies can be found on their websites,www.pendergastpartners.com and www.magnusonproducts.com, or contact Brian Zacuto, Magnuson Products, LLC, 1990 Knoll Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Phone 805-642-8833.
