June 30, 2016

New York, NY – Bestop, Inc. (“Bestop” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC (“Kinderhook”), announced today the acquisition of Baja Designs (“Baja”), a provider of premium branded off-road lighting systems for the automotive market. Baja represents the first add-on acquisition for Bestop and Kinderhook’s 34th automotive related transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Louisville, CO, Bestop is the world’s largest manufacturer of soft tops and fabric accessories for Jeep vehicles and the sole supplier of factory soft tops on all Jeep Wranglers since 1986.

Headquartered in San Marcos, CA, Baja Designs is a leading provider of off-road lighting products for the off-road aftermarket. Recognized as “The Scientists of Lighting” for more than 20 years, Baja engineers revolutionary lighting systems to stay at the forefront of off-road racing and on- and off-road driving.

The acquisition reflects Bestop’s priority of growing both organically and through acquisitions in the automotive aftermarket. The company continues to invest in brand development and aggressive product innovation, while evaluating opportunities to extend into new product categories.

“Baja Designs engineers elite-level products that are a perfect match with Bestop’s ultra-premium Jeep soft tops and accessories,” says John Larson, Bestop CEO. “They will be a perfect fit within the Bestop family of products.”

“We believe that now is the right time to join forces with Bestop because there is a huge opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths and move even faster toward our shared long-term visions,” says Alan Roach, Baja Designs founder. “This is all about making the Baja Designs business, brand and culture even stronger than it is today.”

Tom Tuttle, Managing Director of Kinderhook Industries, stated, “We are very excited that Baja Designs has joined the Bestop and Kinderhook family and look forward to executing against our long-term strategic objectives together. The acquisition of Baja further strengthens the Bestop platform as the Company continues to expand its portfolio of premium products into adjacent categories.”

Monroe Moxness Berg PA served as legal counsel to Bestop.

About Baja Designs
For 20+ years Baja Designs has engineered revolutionary ways to stay at the forefront of motorcycle and automotive lighting. In the process, Baja Designs’ engineers have become well known as “The Scientists of Lighting” and are regularly sought out by professional race teams to develop and aim their vehicle lighting. From race-changing innovation to every-day refinement, the Baja Designs product line is dedicated to being BRIGHTER, BOLDER, and BETTER. For more information, please visit: www.bajadesigns.com