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.

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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.