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CHICAGO, IL – July 1, 2016; City Capital Advisors, a high-touch boutique investment banking firm serving middle market companies, acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Jayco Corporation, a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles, in connection with its sale to Thor Industries Inc. (NYSE: THO), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of recreational vehicles. Under the terms of the agreement, Thor Industries agreed to pay $576 million in cash for Jayco. Founded nearly 50 years ago by the Bontrager family, Jayco generated approximately $1.5 billion in revenue and $70 million of operating income during calendar year 2015. Thor Industries’ interest in the family-owned business was the result of Jayco’s strong portfolio of highly regarded brands, expansive network of more than 850 loyal dealers, and impressive growth and financial performance under the Bontrager’s leadership.
For nearly a decade, Jayco has relied on the corporate financial advice and objective guidance of the City Capital Advisors team led by Barry Craig. In addition to Barry, the City Capital deal team included Dick King, David Modiano and Michael Palumbo. City Capital guided the Company over the years with regard to evaluating its strategic and financial alternatives, and ultimately orchestrated the successful sale effort on behalf of the Bontrager family. “We are truly blessed to have the expertise and dedication of the City Capital team for our Company and our family” said Wilbur Bontrager, Chairman of the Board. “Barry Craig and his team have worked with us for many years and we trusted they would lead us to an outcome in which our legacy and family’s core values would continue.” Commenting on the merits of the transaction, Derald Bontrager, President and CEO said, “We are excited for our management, employees, and family as we begin a new era for Jayco.”
About Jayco Corporation
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, Jayco manufactures a broad spectrum of superior-quality recreational vehicles, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and folding camping trailers, as well as Class A and Class C gas and high-end diesel motorhomes that are sold through its extensive dealer network in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. The Company’s competitive advantage stems from its strong commitment to consumers and dealers through the use of high-quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, and an unyielding commitment to customer satisfaction backed by an industry leading warranty program.
About Thor Industries Inc.
Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Thor Industries was founded in 1980 by Wade Thompson and Peter Orthwein with the purchase of Airstream. Thor Industries went on to become a public company in 1984 and since that time, has grown both organically and through strategic acquisitions that fit its core RV business. Today, Thor Industries is the sole owner of operating subsidiaries that, combined, produced in excess of $4 billion of revenue during calendar year 2015.
About City Capital Advisors, LLC
City Capital Advisors, a FINRA registered broker-dealer, is a results-oriented investment banking advisory firm. Each of City Capital’s Managing Directors has more than 20 years of investment banking experience, offering clients the judgment and transaction management expertise honed from successfully executing more than $60 billion of collective merger and capital market transactions. Client engagements are managed exclusively by experienced senior investment bankers, allowing business owners to capture maximum value for their companies and to exceed shareholder objectives.