Rubicon Express upate

[bob91yj]

Happy to see they are back.


"TRANSAMERICAN AUTO PARTS ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF RUBICON EXPRESS

Leading Off-Road Parts Supplier Continues Growth

May 2, 2011(Compton, CA) – TransAmerican Auto Parts, the nation's
leading retailer and supplier of off-road truck & Jeep accessories, has
announced the purchase of Rubicon Express.

President and CEO Greg Adler stated, “This acquisition is a perfect
fit for TransAmerican. Rubicon Express is the leader in the Jeep
suspension category. Their heritage, founded on the famous Rubicon
trails of Northern California, is deep in the hard core suspension
performance. Jeep enthusiasts have come to know Rubicon Express as the
ultimate system for their vehicles. Our 4Wheel Parts stores and our
4Wheel Drive Hardware business serve these enthusiasts and the Rubicon
brand will strengthen this core segment. Our 25 years of experience in
suspension manufacturing at Pro-Comp will help in the integration of the
Rubicon business”.

“TransAmerican has made a number of strategic acquisitions to grow
the business” Adler explained. “As the economy improves and our
business continues to strengthen, it will allow us to look at more
strategic opportunities such as Rubicon Express”, he added.

Founded in 1961, TransAmerican Auto Parts is the leading participant in
the aftermarket parts and accessories for light trucks, Jeeps, sport
utility vehicles, and other four-wheel drive vehicles. The Company sells
tires and wheels, suspension systems, drive trains, accessories, and
other products to consumers through 55 retail locations in 17 states
under the 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers name, to more than 4,000
wholesale customers, including specialty auto parts stores, tire and
wheel stores, repair and garage shops, internet retailers and jobbers
under the TransAmerican Wholesale name. It also sells to consumers and
businesses through mail order and internet operations under the 4 Wheel
Parts Wholesalers name. In addition, the Company operates a
manufacturing business that sells tires and wheels, suspension systems
and accessories under the Pro Comp and Smittybilt brand name, both
through the Company's own distribution channels as well as through
third parties."

 

[goodtimes]

It will be interesting to see how the play the product line up.

Hopefully they won't just slap the RE name on the same old pro-comp (pro-crap?) parts, hoping no one will notice.

 

[bob91yj]

I'm with you on that one.

 

[Scott Brady]

Rubicon Express is the leader in the Jeep suspension category

Interesting statement.

 

[rjcj-8]

I agree but with experience in a big corp bought out several smaller ones for the brands or customer base it will more than like will not be the same.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Hopefully they just didn't buy the name, it would be nice if RE continues operation. I have seen sometimes where a big corporation buys a small company and its a good thing. I have also seen where they buy it just for a name brand, this happens a lot more than the other option.

Good thing would be RE continues production and they have more cash backing them, more markets, and cheaper raw goods to choose from.

Bad thing would be RE bought just for the name to be slapped on cheap junk so it can be sold for a premium price. Eventually the name has such a bad rep it fades away.

 

[Desert Dan]

Transamerican owns lots of companies. I hope it is a good thing.

http://www.transamericanautoparts.com/

 

[wjeeper]

Hopefully they won't just slap the RE name on the same old pro-comp (pro-crap?) parts, hoping no one will notice.

Glad I am not the only one that calls it pro-crap..........

I have been impressed with RE's quality in the past, I too echo others and hope it stays the same good quality it was before.

 

[PolarXJ]

Glad to here they are back ... I've had my fingers crossed. I need some replacement parts.

 

[SouthernMatt]

Much better situation than RE dropping off into the abyss of defunct 4x4 companies. Don't know many other companies with deeper pockets than TransAmerica right now. Seems that this will be good for the industry.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Interesting statement.

My own experience with RE wasn't that great...