#United States #Los Angeles #Truelink Capital #Koch Filter #Atmus Filtration

Truelink Capital's Strategic Move and Leadership Transition

In a significant shift within the air filtration sector, Truelink Capital, a private equity firm situated in Los Angeles, has announced the successful sale of Koch Filter Corporation to Atmus Filtration Technologies for a substantial $450 million in cash. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in both companies' trajectories, particularly for Koch Filter, which has been a key player in providing air filtration solutions across various commercial markets since its establishment.

Founded in 1966, Koch Filter has built a solid reputation for designing and manufacturing a comprehensive range of air filtration products. These include pleated filters, high-efficiency filters, and HEPA filters that cater to diverse commercial applications. With operational facilities located in multiple states including Louisville, Kentucky, East Greenville, Pennsylvania, Houston, Texas, and Mira Loma, California, the company stands out as one of the few independent platforms nationally capable of providing substantial air filtration solutions.

Moreover, alongside this acquisition, Truelink has instituted a leadership change within Air Distribution Technologies, appointing Azam Owaisi as the new Chief Executive Officer. Owaisi succeeds Doug Schuster, who led the company during a crucial phase since Truelink's ownership began in August 2024. Owaisi, who previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer for North America at GEA Group, is expected to enhance ADTi's operational efficiency and foster innovation moving forward. In his statements, Owaisi expressed enthusiasm about joining ADTi at such a critical juncture, emphasizing his goals to drive excellence and create added value for customers.

Truelink's decision to divest Koch Filter is strategic, permitting the firm and Air Distribution Technologies to concentrate on maximizing the core capabilities of ADTi, focusing on the three primary business units: Air Control Solutions, Air Movement Solutions, and Air Distribution Solutions. This relentless focus aims to ensure sustained growth, whether via organic strategies or mergers and acquisitions.

In his remarks, Todd Golditch, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Truelink, expressed gratitude toward the Koch Filter team, recognizing their partnership during Truelink's ownership. He highlighted the company's commitment to operational excellence, indicating that the focus will now be on driving significant growth through both internal efficiencies and proposed acquisitions.

Truelink Capital prides itself on its operationally sound strategy within the middle-market private equity sphere. With its focus on building relationships and partnerships that stimulate long-term success, the firm reiterates its commitment to supporting its portfolio companies through strategic invasions.

As Koch Filter transitions under Atmus's umbrella, which boasts a footprint across six continents, the emphasis will be on not just maintaining but enhancing the quality of products provided in critical environments. Atmus Filtration Technologies serves a diverse clientele ranging from truck and bus sectors to agriculture and construction industries.

Looking ahead, both Truelink Capital and Azam Owaisi are optimistic about their new strategic paths. With the combined expertise and leadership, there is a promising outlook for the Air Distribution Technologies brand and its subsidiaries as they continue to innovate and enhance their market presence in the filtration and HVAC sectors.

In conclusion, this sale signals a fresh chapter for Koch Filter and a strong pivot for Truelink Capital and Air Distribution Technologies towards sustained growth and development in the industrial landscape, positioning them well for the future amid evolving market demands and challenges.