Blackford Capital's Burgaflex North America Appoints Erik Roeren as CEO

FENTON, Mich., Dec. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Burgaflex North America, a leading manufacturer of coolant system tube and hose assemblies serving the heavy truck, agricultural and off-road markets, today announced that it has named Erik Roeren as CEO of the company.

Roeren has extensive experience in the automotive industry, bringing to Burgaflex over 20 years of management and executive leadership experience. He has led numerous companies, most recently serving as the President and CEO of ATC Drivetrain LLC, a transmission, engines and battery remanufacturer and market leader for remanufactured transmission. His CEO roles have been both domestic and international in scope, as he has developed and managed operations in Europe, North America (incl. Mexico) and Asia.

Roeren has also held various leadership positions with Webasto Roof Systems, Karmann, Eberspaecher, ArvinMeritor and ITT Automotive, where he led major turnarounds and gained significant M&A experience.

In addition to completing Duke University's ITT Automotive Executive Development program, Roeren also holds a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University Darmstadt in Germany.

In an initial statement to employees, Burgaflex Founder and former CEO David Kennedy stated, "To support the next phase of our growth, it has been my goal to pass the reins on to a new leader. With that goal in mind, it is my pleasure to announce Erik Roeren as Burgaflex's next CEO. Erik has a great amount of experience in our industry and brings with him a wealth of leadership experience. He is a more than welcome addition to the Burgaflex team."

"David and his team have built an excellent business over the last 11 years, and I am both honored and excited to be able to lead the company as the next CEO," said Roeren. "We plan to continue our path of profitable growth through international expansion in our core markets, with a continued focus on operational excellence and customer service."

Blackford Capital, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based private equity firm invested in Burgaflex NA in July of 2014, the fourth investment in the firms Michigan Prosperity Fund.  The fund is focused on investing in lower middle market businesses in Michigan.  Burgaflex along with Blackford completed the acquisition of Burgaflex GmbH, a Stuttgart Germany based former sister company to Burgaflex NA that manufacturers and supplies tube and hose assemblies in the heavy truck, bus, construction and agricultural equipment markets throughout Europe.

"Erik has spent his entire career in the industry, with the vast majority of his time spent based in Michigan. He is a proven leader with a track record of improving process, leading business development, and driving profitable growth, both domestically and internationally," said Martin Stein, Blackford Capital's Founder and Managing Director, and Chairman of Burgaflex.  "We are confident that Erik is going to excel leading this great company, and are very excited to welcome him to this excellent team."

About Blackford Capital
Winner of the 2015 M&A Advisor Deal of the Year award, Blackford Capital is a private equity firm based in Grand Rapids, Mich., that acquires, manages and builds middle-market manufacturing, distribution and service companies, with nine portfolio companies across the country. The firm operates out of their headquarters in Grand Rapids MI. Blackford reviewed roughly 5,000 transactions in 2014, and has closed 38 transactions in the past ten years. The firm's investment criteria includes mature, profitable businesses with revenues between $20 million and $100 million, with management teams that are either willing to remain with the company or are seeking to retire. For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com.

About Burgaflex NA
Burgaflex NA is a leading manufacturer of tube and hose assemblies for the heavy truck and agriculture markets.  Since 2004, Burgaflex NA has been meeting the growing needs of a diverse range of customers by focusing on manufacturing quality products at competitive prices.  For more information, visit www.burgaflexna.com.

SOURCE Blackford Capital

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