Bestop acquires Lousville-based Softopper

BOULDER and LOUISVILLE — New York-based Kinderhook Industries LLC didn’t have to look far to find the latest acquisition for Bestop Inc., its Louisville-based portfolio company.

Bestop has acquired Softopper LLC, a Boulder-based company that designs, manufactures and distributes convertible soft tops for light-duty pickup trucks and SUV’s. Softopper represents the sixth acquisition for Bestop and the 74th automotive-related transaction for Kinderhook. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bestop manufactures soft tops and fabric accessories for Jeep and UTV vehicles.

Softopper was founded in 2000 and has grown from offering a single product to manufacturing and selling 38 different models of convertible soft tops.

“With the ability to outfit over 95% of trucks on the road with quality product, Softopper is a perfect addition to the Bestop family,” Bestop CEO John Larson said in a prepared statement. “Bestop has placed an emphasis on growing in the light-duty pickup truck space, and Softopper will be a great compliment to Bestop’s Supertop for Truck product line.”

Tom Tuttle, managing director of Kinderhook Industries, said “the acquisition of Softopper will continue Bestop’s ‘buy-and-build’ strategy of acquiring premium brand names in niche categories serving the automotive aftermarket. Softopper also enhances Bestop’s growing suite of premium products designed specifically for light-duty pickup trucks.”

Monroe Moxness Berg PA of Minneapolis served as legal counsel to Bestop, with financing provided by Antares Capital.

Kinderhook Industries is a private investment firm that manages capital of more than $3 billion. The company acquired Bestop in 2015.

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