Gryphon Investors, Through MSD Ignition, Acquires Superchips, Inc.

Autotronic Controls Corporation, better known as MSD Ignition, a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Superchips, Inc. Terms were not disclosed. Superchips, based in Sanford, Florida, is the leading manufacturer of performance programmers and chips for late model production cars and trucks, serving both the gas and diesel markets. The acquisition creates an ideal fit with MSD’s dominant position in the ignition performance and racing aftermarket. While MSD and Superchips will continue to maintain their strong independent brands, they will also complement each other’s technology base and advance their respective capabilities in performance electronic controls and components.

“The acquisition of Superchips will accelerate MSD’s plans to enhance its product line and provide access to technology outside our current capabilities,” MSD’s CEO Dan Gresham stated. “Superchips has capabilities that will accelerate MSD’s growth and MSD offers strengths to augment Superchips. It’s a win-win situation.”

Superchips’ General Manager Michael Short stated, “The Superchips team recognized some time ago that our brand strength and technology developments were out-pacing our manufacturing and personnel base. We looked at many options and decided that MSD offered us the best possible path for our future.”

El Paso, Texas-based MSD Ignition is the most recognized name in performance ignition systems and is used in everything from NASCAR, NHRA and IHRA drag racing to SCORE off-road racing, World of Outlaw sprint cars, and a host of other motorsports applications. MSD was acquired by Gryphon Investors in April 2004.

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors focuses on leveraged acquisitions of, and growth investments in, middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. Having managed more than $1 billion of discretionary equity capital, Gryphon has an extensive track record of investing $25 to $75 million of its own capital in companies with sales ranging from $25 to $250 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form proactive partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon’s capital, professional resources and significant financial and operational expertise. Visit www.gryphoninvestors.com for more information.

Contacts

Owen Blicksilver

Owen Blicksilver Public Relations, Inc.
516-742-5950
OWEN@BLICKSILVERPR.COM