Exiss Hitches On To Dubin Clark –

Closing its first deal out of Dubin Clark Fund II LP, Greenwhich, Conn.-based Dubin Clark this month acquired Exiss Aluminum Trailers for an undisclosed amount. The specialty trailer manufacturer garnered about $70 million in revenue last year.

Dubin Clark, which focuses on middle-market buyouts of companies with between $20 million and $200 million in revenue, closed Fund II in April on $100 million (Buyouts April 23).

Rodney Culp founded Exiss Aluminum, a manufacturer of several different kinds of trailers, six years ago. Culp decided having Dubin Clark’s resources available to the company would both enable Exiss to accelerate growth by expanding product lines into new markets and allow for acquisitions of competitors.

While Dubin Clark’s partners don’t have direct experience with trailer companies, they are well-versed in the business of manufacturing. The firm currently owns Fibre Body Industries, a manufacturer of fiberglass truck bodies; Artromick International, which makes medication dispensing equipment; and Southland Log Homes, a manufacturer of precut log homes.

“With our approach of bringing an operational orientation, we’ll be able to help Exiss consolidate,” said Tom Caraccialo, managing partner at Dubin Clark. “We know how to run businesses.”

Caraccialo said Exiss has exceptional growth potential because of the highly fragmented industry of which it is a part and the ample acquisition opportunities available. As for new product lines, the company plans to move into making cargo and NASCAR trailers, branching out from its current horse and livestock gig.