Livingstone Plugs-in New Partner to Energize Schumacher Electric
Livingstone is pleased to announce the sale of second-generation family-owned Schumacher Electric Corporation (“SEC” or the “Company”) to Lincolnshire Management, Inc. (“Lincolnshire”). Donald (“Don”) Schumacher will remain with the Company as both an investor and member of the board of directors. Livingstone acted as exclusive financial advisor to SEC.
Over the course of 70 years, SEC has become North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of power supply solutions, including battery charging, jumpstarting, and testing as well as custom transformers. SEC’s products are utilized in a broad range of automotive, commercial, and recreational applications, including emergency power/restart, long-term vehicle storage, professional mechanic and tow services, camping, traveling, boating, and tailgating.
The Company’s market leadership position was established by its relentless commitment to continuous technological innovation and uncompromising customer service. As a result, SEC maintains tenured relationships with nearly all leading brick-and-mortar and eCommerce retailers across North America. SEC’s customers include mass retail, automotive parts and specialty retail, online retail, OEM, and wholesale/distribution channels.
“As a privately held business with limited M&A experience, Livingstone’s guidance was critical to preparing and guiding our team through the sale process,” commented Don Schumacher, CEO of SEC. “We were looking for a partner to not only bring growth capital to take advantage of business opportunities, but also offer experience in the automotive aftermarket and consumer sectors. Livingstone found us that partner in Lincolnshire.”
Over the course of the process, Lincolnshire demonstrated significant knowledge of the automotive aftermarket sector, having invested previously in Holley Performance Products, Inc. Holley manufactures carburetors, manifolds, superchargers, water pumps, throttle-body fuel-injection products, fuel pumps, and other related parts for street and race applications.
“We’re pleased to deliver a great outcome for another family-held business,” added Robert Tymowski, Managing Director of Livingstone. “This transaction allows Don Schumacher to take a more strategic role with the Company and pairs SEC’s strong sales, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities with a forward-looking partner focused on business improvements, product development, and international expansion. We’re thrilled for Don and the entire management team.”
Lincolnshire’s Managing Directors Philip Kim and Thomas Callahan, along with Principal David MacDonald, led the Lincolnshire transaction team. “This investment is a great addition to our portfolio, and representative of the types of businesses we seek to invest in family-run, with global growth potential, a strategic supply chain, and strong brand equity,” said Kim. “We look forward to working with Don and Schumacher’s executive team to drive the Company’s continued expansion, capitalize on its investment in new technology, and build on its market leadership,” added Callahan.
This transaction represents Livingstone’s 64th global Industrial transaction and 24th family-owned business sold since 2018, following the sales of Spotsee and Royal Truck Body.
Livingstone has more than 80 professionals across offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Beijing, Düsseldorf, London, Madrid, and Stockholm. The firm has deep industry expertise, and extensive global coverage, with dedicated teams across all offices serving five segments: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial, and Media & Technology.
Lincolnshire, founded in 1986, is a private equity firm focused on investing in and acquiring growing middle market companies across an array of industries. Headquartered in New York, Lincolnshire invests in acquisitions of private companies, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, management buyouts, and growth equity for public and private companies. Lincolnshire manages over $1.7 billion of private equity capital.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP provided legal counsel to the Company throughout the process. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal advice to Lincolnshire.
