EMPORIA, KS – Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation announced today that it has acquired Hayes Towing Electronics, a trailer brake control company located in Arab, Alabama.

The acquisition strengthens Hopkins’ position in trailer brake controls, complementing its market leading towing electrical business. In addition to brake controls, Hayes brings an array of vehicle specific harnesses that make installation of their brake controls plug-in-simple.

“We are pleased to add the Hayes brand and products to our portfolio, building on two other strategic acquisitions in the towing category, including the market leading range of trailer lighting products acquired in 2018 from Tiger Accessories Group” said Bradley T. Kraft, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hopkins. “The addition of Hayes broadens our product offering and brings entirely new customers to Hopkins,” added Mr. Kraft.

“We are excited with the reach of Hopkins and their ability to further grow the Hayes product line” said Larry Fleming, President and CEO of Syncro Corporation, who purchased Hayes in 2005. “Hopkins’ incredible focus on innovation, combined with their outstanding reputation in the industry and their position in the Towing aftermarket makes them the perfect partner for our line!”

Hopkins will transfer the distribution of the Hayes products to its primary Distribution Center in Edgerton, Kansas, where it currently distributes its towing, cleaning, fluid management, vehicle accessory and other product lines. Manufacturing of brake controls and harnesses will shift to Hopkins’ Towing Manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico, the world’s only factory ISO-certified facility specifically for Towing Electrical products.

Recent acquisitions by Hopkins include Lumax^® grease gun and fluid accessory products, the RoadSport line of splash guards, Loxcreen automotive products, Tiger Accessory Group, a leader in trailer and auxiliary lighting and cleaning products; Acme Chamois^®, the leader in automotive chamois, Air Power America®, the leader of oil extraction technology for automotive and marine engines, Bell Automotive Products, interior and vehicle accessories; Mallory^®, the market leader in Canada for snow tools and in North America for gas station squeegees; the fluid management drain pans and ramps of F3 Brands; Mr. Funnel^®, a simple but effective line of portable fuel filters that remove water, dirt and debris from all types of fuels; and TowDaddy® line of towed vehicle wire harness kits.

About Hopkins
Headquartered in Emporia, Kansas, Hopkins is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of quality, innovative specialized towing products and functional accessories for the automotive and recreational vehicle aftermarkets. Hopkins markets its products under a number of well-recognized brand names, including: Hopkins Towing Solutions^® Trailer Wiring, Lighting & Brake Control Products; Brake Buddy^® RV tow brakes; TowDaddy^® towed-vehicle wire harnesses; Blazer^® off road and work truck auxiliary lighting; Flo-Tool^® and Lumax^® Fluid Management Products; The Detailer’s Choice^®, AutoSpa™, Tanner’s Select^®, Pacific Coast™ OxiClean^® and Rain-X^® Vehicle Cleaning Products; Mallory^® squeegees; Sub-Zero^® and Mallory^® Snow & Ice Tools; Bell^®, Victor™, Monkey Grip™, RoadSport^® and Go Gear^® Vehicle Accessories; nVISION^® Vehicle Safety Products; and Arm & Hammer™ Automotive Air Fresheners. Founded in 1953, the company has been guided by the philosophy that its products will deliver meaningful innovation, performance and value to the consumer. Hopkins has North American manufacturing and distribution in the US, (i.e., Kansas and Oklahoma); in Canada in Blenheim, Ontario and in Mexico in Juarez, Chihuahua. ONCAP invested in Hopkins in June 2011. For more information on Hopkins, visit its website at www.HopkinsMfg.com.

About Hayes Towing Electronics
Hayes was a pioneer of trailer brake controls in the 1950s, an extension of the company’s broader braking business. Over the decades, Hayes has earned a reputation for quality as they expanded their brake control range based on advancements in their technologies.

About ONCAP
ONCAP is the mid-market private equity platform of Onex. In partnership with operating company management teams, ONCAP invests in and builds value in North American headquartered small- and medium-sized businesses that are market leaders and possess meaningful growth potential. For more information on ONCAP, visit its website at www.oncap.com.

For more information:
Michael S. Williams
Chief Marketing Officer
(620) 340-8403
mike.williams@hopkinsmfg.com

Bradley T. Kraft
President and Chief Executive Officer
(620) 340-8405
brad.kraft@hopkinsmfg.com