Company Overview

Manac, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of flatbed trailers, low-bed trailers, forestry trailers, chip trailers, dump trailers and dry-vans with headquarters in St Georges, Quebec. Manac is Canada’s largest semitrailer manufacturer and market share leader in most of its targeted segments.

Partnership Overview

Acquisition Dynamic / AIP Differentiation

• AIP was approached directly by Manac’s family owners and majority shareholders who were looking for a strategic partner to add value to their operations with Lean manufacturing principles and strategic procurement initiatives

Investment Rationale

• Favorable End Market Growth
• Leading Canadian Market Participant With a Premier Brand, a Strong Engineering Focus, a Large Installed Base, a Diverse Distribution network and Efficient and Flexible Plants
• Attractive Design and Assembly Business Model with Low CapEx and High Return on Capital
• Opportunity for Significant EBITDA Improvement using AIP Operating Disciplines –comprehensive Lean implementation, strategic procurement savings, increased market share within targeted specialty segments, and aftermarket sales

Value Creation Accomplishments

• Reduced direct labor in US Plants by 25-40% through the exercising of Lean manufacturing principles: implemented single piece flow manufacturing, consolidated production shifts, and decreased unit labor costs for an aggregate direct savings of C$4 million.
• De-bottlenecked, Manac USA production, to increase capacity by 157% and 50% in two Missouri facilities and increased production to meet average demand across cycle with a focus on new product introductions in the U.S.
• Leveraged Procurement across the supplier base, and kick-started joint sourcing projects including tires, aluminum and paint for an aggregate savings of C$4 million
• Optimized aftermarket business with value pricing, targeted dealers and U.S. service centers
• Integrated a corporate carve-out as an add-on acquisition that increased market share and introduced complementary products

Exit

Sold to a consortium of financial buyers and certain existing shareholders in August 2015.
 

Company Highlights