about

ABOUT

WE ARE

We are a team of specialists with decades of experience handling mergers and acquisitions exclusively in the automotive and heavy-duty trucking industries.

WE DO

We are matchmakers, connecting buyers and sellers of automotive businesses. We craft succession plans for business owners. We are well-connected in our with relationships with manufacturers, distributors, repair shops and private equity firms. We manage mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

WE DELIVER

Our team of automotive experts is an unparalleled resource. We maximize sellers’ value propositions. We help prospective buyers expand. We focus on buying and selling so that you can focus on running your business.

services

OUR SERVICES

Our team has years of automotive, aftermarket, and heavy duty trucking experience and relationships.

SELLERS

Optimizing value as you sell your business requires far more than simply finding a buyer.

BUYERS

Acquisitions are driving the growth strategies of many enterprises.

ADVISORY SERVICES

We provide a full range of advisory services to buyers and sellers, equity investors and lenders active in the transportation industry.
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team

LEADERSHIP

Devin Hart

Managing Partner

Devin Hart has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. He brings a wealth of M&A expertise to the firm. Devin previously served as president and CEO of CADNA Rubber Company, […read more]

Tom Marx, MAAP

Partner

Tom Marx has over 15 years of experience delivering mergers and acquisitions services and a 30 plus year network of relationships in the Automotive and Heavy Duty Aftermarkets. He has experience with most product […read more]

John Nodson

Vice President, Research

John Nodson provides hands-on experience integrating major acquisitions and new businesses, and working with joint venture […read more]

Roger Homer

Vice President, Strategic Markets and International

A native of London, England has lived and worked in Europe and North America for major global automotive and industrial manufacturers.
[…read more]

Advisory Board

Each member of our Advisory Board is a well-known industry expert with a career based in the Aftermarket, either running or holding executive-level positions in top companies. Several have also served as industry leaders with trade associations and other Aftermarket organizations.

Chip Carlson

Vice President

As President of the marketing and business development company Cima International LLC, Chip […read more]

Jon Dehne

Vice President

Jon Dehne currently provides consulting services focused on business development opportunities […read more]

Howard Kesten

Vice President

For 23 years, Howard Kesten has been the Owner/President of APA Search, an executive search firm […read more]

Lou Merz

Vice President

Lou Merz started in the 1960s at Precision Automotive Components Company (PACCO). When Borg Warner […read more]

Rick Rollins

Vice President

Since 1970, Rick Rollins has worked in multiple entities of the automotive aftermarket industry. His career began […read more]

Denise Rondini

Vice President

Denise Rondini is President of Rondini Communications, a company specializing in researching […read more]

current-opportunities

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

BUSINESSES WANTED

Our clients are looking to sell the following companies

Our clients are looking to acquire the following types of companies

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR

Northern California distributor of import and domestic car parts. Effective mix of commercial and retail sales with highly visible store front/retail space and ample parking and loading docks. Located in desirable geographic area. Loyal customer following with strong brand recognition.
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CHEMICAL & CLEANING SUPPLIER

Designer and blender of branded and private label chemicals and cleaning products for heavy duty/commercial vehicles. Ideal candidate is micro-to-small size manufacturer. Looking for synergies in other markets, channels or products that would create efficiencies and increased sales. Located in Northeast. Western or southern location would be ideal.

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CUSTOM CAR PARTS SUPPLIER

Fast growing supplier with diverse offering of hot rod and muscle car parts. Outstanding overseas supplier relationships, good brand recognition and exceptionally high margins. Dealer and e-commerce sales. West Coast location with Asia-based supply chain and U.S. engineering team.
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CHEMICAL MANUFACTURER

Respected U.S. based manufacturer of primarily packaged and bulk automotive, heavy duty, marine and industrial chemical products sold through an extensive global distribution network. Looking for small-to-mid size acquisitions to expand current product portfolio or add needed manufacturing/blending facilities. Excellent reputation for building acquired enterprises.

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SOLD – DRIVELINE MANUFACTURER

Midwest-based manufacturer of driveshafts and components, primarily for on and off-highway, industrial, mining, energy and agriculture vehicles and equipment. In-house design and engineering. Customers are small-to-mid-size OEM’s and their suppliers. Highly automated with extremely proficient team and efficient production.

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DISTRIBUTION & LIGHT MANUFACTURING

Looking for traditional distributors with diverse specialty and limited hard parts offering or suppliers/importers of chemicals or repair, service and shop supply products. Strong distribution network strategically located throughout North America provides ideal platform for complementary products and entry into new categories.

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EXHAUST SYSTEMS MANUFACTURER

Designer and manufacturer of branded and private label OE replacement catalytic converters, exhaust systems and components; plus performance exhaust systems and headers. Domestic and import cars/light trucks. Southwest location in major market, with efficient R&D and factory.

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deals

DEALS

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consulting

CONSULTING

150x80 APE

150x46 Audax

150x46 Betts

150x46 CRC

150x46 CT Drives

150x46 Deeza

150x46 Enerpulse

150x46 IMR

150x46 Marubeni

150x46 Venchurs

150x46 VIPARHD

news

NEWS

Prop Shaft Supply Acquired by Machine Service, Inc.

Sticky PostOn September 19, 2017

Machine Service is a 70-year old firm based in Green Bay that manufactures driveshafts, offering high quality components from its 130,000 sq. ft. building. Modernization benefits include computerized inventory management, drive shaft fabricating…

NPW Acquires Larry Hoffberg’s DAHL Warehouse In Gardena, California

Sticky PostOn August 23, 2016

National Performance Warehouse (NPW) has reached an agreement to acquire the WD business of longtime distributor and rep Larry Hoffberg. The Hoffberg family has owned DAHL Warehouse in Gardena, California, since 1977.

Hart Marx Advisors LLC Acquires Aftermarket Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist Firm Marx Group Advisors

Sticky PostOn March 7, 2016

Hart Marx Advisors, a newly formed partnership between aftermarket veterans Devin Hart and Tom Marx has acquired the assets of Marx Group Advisors.

RESOURCES

CAWA 2017: Market Changes & Understanding Your Unique Proposition

Sticky PostOn April 18, 2017

How has aftermarket mergers & acquisitions changed since early 2016? Understand your company's unique proposition and how that will change.

NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY 2016: SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN A CONSOLIDATING WORLD

Sticky PostOn July 20, 2016

Presented by Tom Marx This presentations provides an overview to surviving in a world of mergers or acquisitions. Download Presentation:

CAWA 2016: How You Can Benefit from Aftermarket Consolidation

Sticky PostOn March 7, 2016

Presented by Devin Hart and Tom Marx Consolidation introduces change and with it opportunity to achieve growth beyond current industry

The Advantage

Our archives of The Advantage, Hart Marx Advisor’s e-newsletter, has a range of articles on topics related to buying, selling or financing a business. Topical, easy to read and informative, these newsletters are designed to help your company navigate transactions with intelligent mergers and acquisitions strategy. To subscribe to The Advantage please send us your email.

Tom Marx Will Talk About M&A to Northwood Heavy Duty Leadership Professionals

Sticky PostOn June 13, 2017

Appearing for the fifth straight year at the 2017 University of the Aftermarket Heavy Duty Leadership program, Tom Marx will provide insight on consolidation within the aftermarket.

5 Tips For Selling Your Business

Sticky PostOn November 2, 2015

Selling an aftermarket business can be a complicated and time consuming process. There are some things you can do to make it easier and faster. There is no magic formula that ensures you’ll be able to quickly sell your aftermarket company. However, here are a few insider tips that can expedite the process and help you get the best deal possible:

Is Your Business Ready To Be Sold?

Sticky PostOn September 10, 2015

You’ve realized that you want to spend more time with your family, switch careers or retire. In other words, you are ready to sell your business. But before you put up the for sale sign, you have to ask yourself, “Is my business ready to be sold?”

INVOLVEMENT

We go beyond mergers and acquisitions. We live and breathe the aftermarket, sharing our expertise to make the industry stronger. Our connections with key influencers and associations give us exclusive access to important industry news and events. Hart Marx Advisors staff members passionately serve on Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Automotive Communications Council (ACC) and Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA).