Kinderhook Industries

Vehicle Accessories, Inc. Acquires SOCKS

August 17, 2020

Sunnyvale, TX – Vehicle Accessories, Inc. (“VAI”), a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC (“Kinderhook”), announced today the acquisition of SOCKS, LLC (“SOCKS” or the “Company”). SOCKS is a web-based application designed to facilitate the sale of original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) accessories for automotive dealerships. The Company represents the fourth add-on acquisition for VAI and Kinderhook’s 91st automotive-related transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SOCKS’ web-based application seeks to be the connective tissue between OEM dealerships and the consumer, by providing an easy-to-use, yet sophisticated accessory menu system for point of sale activities. The application is a key component for driving OEM accessory sales that provides documented ROI, departmental pricing, order fulfillment and tracking, reporting analytics, and in-dealership consulting and training. SOCKS’ customers are proven to generate higher year-over-year growth and profitability rates for dealer-installed options, a key profit driver for automotive dealerships.

It is expected that VAI will leverage its relationships with key automotive OEM’s to grow SOCKS base of dealership customers.

“The SOCKS team is excited to partner with VAI and Kinderhook. Our application fits well with VAI and will be an excellent tool for driving sales of its accessory products sold through automotive dealerships,” commented Vince Tunzi, General Manager for SOCKS.

Tom Tuttle, Managing Director of Kinderhook Industries, stated, “SOCKS is a great tuck-in acquisition for VAI. VAI plans to leverage its relationships with the leading automotive OEM’s to grow SOCKS’ customer base.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the SOCKS team and technology application to the VAI family. The acquisition is highly synergistic for both businesses and further illustrates our focus and commitment to driving accessory sales for automotive dealerships,” said J Pearson, VAI CEO.

Monroe Moxness Berg PA served as legal counsel to VAI.

For additional information about this transaction, please contact: 
Thomas Tuttle
Managing Director
(212) 201-6781
[email protected]

About Kinderhook Industries

Founded in 2003, Kinderhook Industries, LLC is a private investment firm that has raised $8.5 billion of committed capital. We have made in excess of 450 investments and follow-on acquisitions since inception. Kinderhook’s investment philosophy is predicated on matching differentiated, growth-oriented investment opportunities with financial expertise and our proprietary network of operating partners. Our focus is on middle market businesses with defensible niche market positioning in the healthcare services, environmental & industrial services, and automotive & light manufacturing sectors.

For more information, please visit https://www.kinderhook.com

About Vehicle Accessories

Vehicle Accessories, Inc. is an integrated manufacturer of protective door edge guards, all-weather floor mats, splash guards, body side moldings, bumper protectors, running boards, door sills, and bed rails for the automotive industry. With locations in Sunnyvale, TX, Buffalo, NY, Toronto, Ontario, Magog, Quebec, and Placentia, CA, the Company has developed proprietary and patented manufacturing processes including specialized form rolling, stamping, bending, profile extrusions, and injection molding. VAI sells to leading automotive OEMs including Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Subaru, Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, General Motors, and Chrysler. Its products are installed post-production and are typically sold to end consumers as part of upgraded protection packages.

For more information, please visit https://vehicleaccessorygroup.com/

About SOCKS

SOCKS is a web-based application designed to facilitate the sale of OEM accessories for automotive dealerships. The Company seeks to be the connective tissue between OEM dealerships and the consumer, by providing an easy-to-use, yet sophisticated accessory menu system for point of sale activities. The application is a key component for driving OEM accessory sales that provides documented ROI, departmental pricing, order fulfillment and tracking, reporting analytics, and indealership consulting and training. SOCKS’ customers are proven to generate higher year-overyear growth rates for dealer-installed options, a key profit driver for automotive dealerships.