EVANSVILLE, Ind.Raben Holdings L.L.C. has acquired the assets of Coogle Tire Service, a single-outlet, predominantly farm-oriented dealership in Otterbein, Ind., and could be on the lookout for more acquisition targets.
Raben Tire Co. President Eric Glover said the acquisition aligns with his company's growth strategy and reinforces Raben Tire's commitment to extend the reach of our network to better serve customers across the Midwest.
The parties did not release the purchase price.
Coogle Tire was founded in 1974 by Garry Coogle. Raben described the business as a multi-line, full-service dealership serving retail, commercial and agricultural customers throughout central and northern Indiana and central Illinois.
We have been truly fortunate to have served our customers for more than 40 years, Mr. Coogle said. We know our customers will be in good hands with Raben Tire and will receive the same high quality products and services they have received from us over the years.
Mr. Coogle will transition out of the day-to-day operations with this deal, which includes his ownership of a NAPA Auto Parts business co-located on the four-acre property on Highway 52 on the outskirts of Otterbein. Coogle Tire occupies a 20,000-sq.-ft. facility with 10 service bays and three service trucks.
Otterbein is in northern Indiana, northwest of Lafayette, and 150 miles from the nearest Raben Tire outlet, in Vincennes, Ind.
The business will continue to be known as Coogle Tire Service, Raben said, with the likely addition of an identifier such as a Raben Tire company.
The dealRaben Tire's first acquisition since its purchase of Disney Tire & Rubber in 2006could presage more growth by acquisition for Raben Holdings under the direction of Palladium Equity Partners L.L.C., the New York-based private-equity enterprise that bought an undisclosed ownership stake in Raben last December. Through Raben Tire, we seek to accelerate the consolidation of a fragmented industry by providing family-owned businesses with new liquidity and transition opportunities, said Palladium Managing Director Luis Zaldivar.
Palladium describes itself as a middle-market private-equity firm with more than $2 billion in assets under management. The firm said it seeks to acquire and grow companies in partnership with founders and experienced management teams by providing capital, strategic guidance and operational oversight.
Evansville-based Raben Tire operates 26 retail and/or retail/commercial stores, two wholesale distribution centers and three retread plants across five Midwestern states.