Thatcham: Management and private equity firm acquire Xtrac

Inflexion Private Equity has announced that funds managed by Inflexion have agreed the buyout of Xtrac, a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance transmissions for the motorsport and automotive industry. 

Xtrac supplies most of the world's top motorsport teams in both two and four-wheeled formulae across the globe, from MotoGP to Formula 1. The business enjoys strong EBITDA growth; over 80% of the British manufacturer’s revenue is generated through exports, particularly for high performance automotive applications including hybrids and electric vehicles.

Inflexion is backing Xtrac’s established management team, who will remain with the business. Inflexion’s investment will help fuel Xtrac’s future expansion, supporting its rapidly growing high-performance road car division and increasing Xtrac’s team of 330 in the UK and US.  Inflexion will support the extension of Xtrac’s factory and purchase of additional world class machinery, accelerating the development of the next generation of high-end automotive transmission systems and advancing its capabilities in hybrid and electric vehicles.

Adrian Moore, managing director of Xtrac, commented: “We are proud of the leading global business Xtrac is today; persistent innovation and exceptional customer service remain our highest priorities. Inflexion shares our values; its investment will accelerate our ambitious growth strategy, developing the next generation of high-end automotive transmission systems and expanding our coverage of the high-performance hybrid and electric car transmission market. This partnership with Inflexion supports Xtrac’s ethos of employee ownership, and our team look forward to a new chapter in the continuing development and growth of our company.”

Simon Turner, managing partner at Inflexion, commented: “We are backing a highly experienced management team with serious ambition. Xtrac is a truly exciting business, leading its market with superior design capabilities and a blue-chip global client base. We bring experience from across the specialist engineering sector with businesses such as Shimtech and Aspen Pumps, and an extensive track record in growing teams to promote sustainable growth. We are delighted to partner with the Xtrac team.”

The Inflexion deal team comprised John Harper and Henry Arundel, both of whom will join the board at acquisition.   Xtrac was advised by Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP.