Livingstone raises financing for Hastings Manufacturing cross-border merger

Livingstone is pleased to announce it has raised financing for Hastings Manufacturing Company, a portfolio company of RFE Investment Partners, in support of its merger with Komarov Piston Rings. Livingstone acted as exclusive financial advisor to the Company, helping to structure, arrange and negotiate the financing. Ares Capital and Monroe Capital provided the financing. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hastings prides itself on being the premier provider of private label and branded piston rings for nearly any application worldwide—from automotive and truck to agriculture, industrial, and small engine as well as to marine and high-performance engine applications. The Company serves customers in more than 70 countries, offers more than 25,000 SKUs, and provides industry-leading engineering and technical support.

Komarov Piston Rings, based in the Czech Republic, is a leading provider of state-of-the-art piston rings with an established footprint competitively serving global customers, particularly in the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions.

By joining forces, both companies will be able to leverage technology, a larger footprint, and an enhanced reputation to add value to customers worldwide. Current and new customers will benefit from an expanded product offering, shorter lead times, competitive pricing, and a regional infrastructure, including R&D, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, sales and technical support.

Ken Holbrook, CEO of Hastings comments, “The closing of the Komarov merger and financing allows RFE and the management team to further build on Hastings’ 100+-year-old brand name and cement the company’s position as the leading provider of aftermarket piston rings worldwide.”

Jim Parsons, Managing Director at RFE adds, “The combination of Livingstone’s experience in the automotive sector and their ability to tackle complex financings made them the ideal partner to advise us on this cross-border transaction.”

“We were thrilled to work with the RFE and Hastings teams on this financing. Our experience in the sector and diverse network of financing relationships resulted in a competitive process and provided Hastings with multiple financing options,” noted Tom Lesch, Partner at Livingstone. “We seamlessly worked side-by-side with RFE and the management team to close this complex transaction.”

The completion of this transaction reinforces Livingstone’s position as advisors of choice for companies seeking debt financing. This is the 10th global debt transaction in 12 months, following the growth capital raise for both Android Industries and Aston Barclay.