I've seen this announced in a few places, sucks to see it happen as I always thought AFR made a quality product (even though none for FE). Sometimes these PE firms leave well enough alone, but majority of the time they start looking at the margins, and the only way a quality head like AFR can go is down. Cheaper valves/locks/springs, larger stepover spec on the CNC'ing...they'll start chipping away at the quality IMO. Seems like much of the aftermarket is going this way as the old brands are bought up.
"Air Flow Research is excited to announce that Taglich Private Equity, LLC (TPE) has acquired AFR. TPE is a lower middle-market PE firm that specializes in recapitalizations, management buyouts, and majority equity investments, targeting manufacturing, business services and consumer products companies. Taglich looks to partner with management teams that can take advantage of their expertise and background in order to optimize their company's growth potential and create long-term value.
AFR’s management team and employees will continue to operate out of its Valencia, CA facility, continuing to provide high quality, performance cylinder heads, service, parts, and machining associated with the AFR brand. Nothing will change; it will be business as usual. As President, Board Member and significant investor, Rick will continue to be involved with the organization, ensuring the foundation that his family and employees have built over the past 50 years will flourish under TPE’s guidance.
Taglich and AFR are excited about the growth prospects both organically and through future acquisitions of other aftermarket performance companies."