PLZ Aeroscience Corporation, North America’s largest independent manufacturer of specialty aerosols and liquid products, announced the acquisition of Champion Brands, a leading manufacturer of specialty lubricants for the automotive and industrial markets.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
With the acquisition, PLZ expands its full-service automotive and industrial offering, positioning the company to better serve its customers with a comprehensive suite of aerosol and non-aerosol products.
Founded by Ralph Lowe in 1956 and with more than 65 years of market leadership, Champion has one of the largest product portfolios in the industry. Champion produces more than 300 functional fluids and performance products, including brake fluid, fuel treatments, semi-synthetic and full-synthetic engine additives and specialty motor oils.
Champion operates a 450,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Clinton, Missouri, and serves customers across automotive, heavy-duty, agricultural and performance racing markets.
“We are very excited to welcome Champion Brands to PLZ,” said Aaron Erter, PLZ’s president and CEO. “Champion is a market leader within the automotive aftermarket industry, and we look forward to leveraging their capabilities across our combined enterprise to strengthen the value proposition we bring to our customers. Champion is an incredible addition to PLZ as we continue growing our specialty automotive and industrial footprint across North America.”
Champion is led by Matt Lowe, the third generation of Lowe leadership at the company. Lowe will remain with Champion following the transaction.
“I am thrilled for Champion to become part of the PLZ family,” Lowe said. “We look forward to leveraging PLZ’s extensive industry experience and national footprint to help grow Champion in the years to come. Together with PLZ, we will propel the combined company forward into its next chapter as we continue to deliver exceptional innovation, quality and service to our customers.”
Headquartered outside Chicago, PLZ is owned by Pritzker Private Capital. With Pritzker’s support, PLZ has continued to grow organically and through acquisitions, including four in the last two years: Mansfield-King and Custom-Pak Products in 2020 and Liquid Technologies and Precise Packaging in 2019.
