News

Guard Hill Holdings is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, S.R. Smith, LLC, has acquired the assets, including the intellectual property, of All Fibreglass Products Pty Ltd (AFP), a world leader in the design and manufacture of swimming pool bulkheads and swimwalls for the commercial aquatics industry. The new business will be operated by SRS Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of S.R.Smith LLC, and reinforces the company’s leadership in the Australian commercial swimming pool industry. AFP was established in 1984 in Queensland, Australia.

“We are excited about this acquisition as it adds strategic value to the Anti Wave Australia business we acquired in 2013 by expanding our commercial product offerings,” said Rich Laitta, CEO & President of S.R.Smith. “In addition, it is in line with our global product platform direction, and allows us to offer these products outside of Australia.”

“Bulkheads and Swimwalls are a very effective means of increasing pool utilization by optimizing the total pool area,” explains Keith Hall, General Manager of SRS Australia. “They can be installed in both new and existing pools, and provide commercial pool operators with significant revenue expansion opportunities by providing multiple operational zones within a single commercial swimming pool.”

About S.R. Smith
S.R. Smith is a worldwide leader of residential, commercial, lighting and pool access equipment. Founded in 1932, S.R. Smith is headquartered in Canby, Oregon, USA with the Australia business headquartered in Richlands, QLD. S.R. Smith products are featured on some of the finest pools around the world.

About Guard Hill Holdings
Guard Hill Holdings is a private equity firm focused on manufacturing companies. Having worked together for over 20 years, completing over 40 transactions such as FreightCar America, Transportation Technologies Inc. and Fuel Systems, the partners of Guard Hill Holdings continue to bring their operating and investment experience to companies fitting with the following characteristics:

• Primarily US-based, industrial and consumer product manufacturing
• Sales in the $25-$250 MM range (No revenue requirement for add-ons)
• Positive, depressed, or negative EBITDA
• Underperforming businesses that need operating help

Please contact Anthony Recine with any new opportunities at  ARecine@GuardHillHoldings.com, or he can be reached at 914-234-6054.