H.I.G. Capital Completes Recapitalization of Big Tex Trailer

MIAMI – January 3, 2013 – H.I.G. Capital, LLC, a leading global private equity investment firm, announced that its affiliate has completed the recapitalization of Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing (“Big Tex” or the “Company”), the nation’s leading professional-grade trailer manufacturer.

Headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, TX, Big Tex is the leading manufacturer of professional grade open utility, equipment, horse, livestock, and cargo trailers and truck beds in the US and Canada.  Big Tex features a collection of prominent brands including Big Tex, CM, S&H, and Circle J.  Founded by President and CEO Ricky Baker, the Company has built the largest, most automated, and most geographically diverse manufacturing footprint in the industry.

The Company services its diverse nationwide network of over 400 dealers through its manufacturing footprint of one million square feet spread across eight regional manufacturing and distribution hubs located in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Idaho.  Big Tex’s "Best Product, Best Price" value proposition has helped the Company sell over one million trailers since its launch in 1982, and the Company has been recognized as the fastest growing trailer manufacturer in the industry for each of the past two years.

Roman Krislav, Principal of H.I.G. Capital, said, "We are very pleased to be partnering with Ricky Baker and the talented Big Tex team and look forward to the Company’s next phase of growth.  Big Tex is the industry leader and has made meaningful investments in automation and infrastructure, enabling it to deliver on its unique ‘Best Product, Best Price’ value proposition.  H.I.G. looks forward to supporting the Company’s expansion across the US while still delivering the best products, the lowest prices in the industry and exemplary customer service to its professional grade customers and dealers."

Ricky Baker, who will continue as President and CEO and as a significant shareholder, commented “We are excited about H.I.G. Capital’s investment and look forward to continuing to build the Big Tex platform.  We view this as an exciting time in our industry and look forward to growing our business together.  Our customers and dealers will continue to receive our ‘Best Product, Best Price’ value proposition along with the quality construction, innovative designs, service, and industry-leading lead times they have come to expect from Big Tex over the last 30 years.  We are excited that H.I.G.’s investment will help us capitalize on the growth we expect in the years to come.”

Legacy Capital Advisors, LLC advised Big Tex on the transaction.

About Big Tex
Headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, TX, Big Tex is the leading national manufacturer of professional-grade trailers, parts and supplies. Big Tex sells its family of leading trailer brands, including Big Tex Trailers, CM/S&H Trailers, Circle J and CM Truck Beds, through a diversified network of over 400 dealers nationwide. The Company maintains manufacturing and assembly facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Idaho.  The Company’s Tex Trail division is a leading parts distributor with 8 locations in 5 states.  For more information, please refer to the Big Tex website at www.bigtextrailers.com.

About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity investment firm with more than $10 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. H.I.G. invests in management-led buyouts and recapitalizations of profitable and well managed manufacturing or service businesses. H.I.G. also has extensive experience with financial restructurings and operational turnarounds. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 70 companies. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.hig.com.