Author Archives: Carlos De Sordi

Moove Acquires PetroChoice from Golden Gate Capital

São Paulo, King of Prussia, PA and San Francisco – May 23, 2022 – Cosan S.A. (B3:CSAN3; NYSE: CSAN), one of Brazil’s largest business groups with investments in energy and logistics and revenue of approximately $23 billion, today announced that its subsidiary Moove, a leading global producer and distributor of lubricants and base oils, acquired PetroChoice Lubrication Solutions (“PetroChoice”) from Golden Gate Capital for $479 million.

PetroChoice is the largest distributor and manufacturer of value-added lubricant solutions in the United States, delivering approximately 62 million gallons annually to the industrial, commercial, and passenger vehicle customer segments. PetroChoice has an extensive and high-quality product offering including Mobil lubricants, as well as several licensed proprietary brands including Medallion Plus, Dyna-Plex 21C and Eco Ultra. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, PetroChoice operates more than 50 strategically located distribution centers across 25 states.

The acquisition establishes a market-leading presence and distribution footprint for Moove in the $33 billion U.S. lubricants market. Moove will leverage its lubes market expertise, technology, manufacturing capabilities and investment capabilities to support the continued development of PetroChoice and its growth plans. PetroChoice is poised to benefit from favorable end-market dynamics such as shifting regulatory trends and consumer preferences that are driving synthetic lubricants market growth.

Filipe Affonso Ferreira, CEO of Moove, said, “PetroChoice serves as a major cornerstone for our global growth plans and this acquisition helps Moove establish a market-leading position in the large and growing U.S. lubricant market. We have been deeply impressed by the PetroChoice team’s strong execution and strategy of consolidating smaller regional players to create an integrated, centralized, and scalable operating model with strong brand recognition. We look forward to onboarding the PetroChoice team and to future success in developing the business.”

Felix Lo, a Managing Director for Golden Gate Capital, said, “We have enjoyed a successful partnership with PetroChoice and are proud to have helped the company become the clear market leader it is today. Since 2015, we have supported the company with the pursuit of several strategic areas of focus, including footprint expansion, full deployment of its leading-edge technologies, growing its premium and proprietary brand offerings, strengthening its key partnerships, and executing complementary acquisitions. Throughout the course of our ownership, we have held discussions with Moove management about the clear strategic fit between these two businesses and we are confident that Moove has strong expertise to build on PetroChoice’s existing momentum and continue to grow the business.”

Moelis & Company LLC served as financial advisor and Reed Smith LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisors to PetroChoice and Golden Gate Capital. Jefferies served as financial advisor and Paul Hastings LLP served as legal advisor to Moove.

About Moove
A global reference in lubricants, Moove is one of the largest producers and distributors of lubricants and base oils in Brazil and other countries in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay), as well as in Europe (United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and France) and the United States. Part of the Cosan Group, the company, offers its specialized lubrication products and services that are essential for moving and providing greater efficiency in industrial equipment and commercial and passenger vehicles.

About PetroChoice
PetroChoice is the largest lubricant distributor in the United States, providing business solutions for industrial lubricant needs and commercial and passenger car motor oil. The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates 54 locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment. For more information, please visit PetroChoice.com.

About Golden Gate Capital
Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with over $19 billion in cumulative committed capital. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including going-privates, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations, as well as debt and public equity investments. Notable investments sponsored by Golden Gate Capital include Antylia Scientific, Vantage Elevator Solutions, and Humanetics. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.

Contacts

Moove
Press Office: Mosaike
Thais@mosaike.com.br
Jamila.araujo@mosaike.com.br

Golden Gate Capital
Hayley Cook / Anne Nisperos Hew / Elizabeth Lake
GoldenGate-SVC@sardverb.com

Eco Ultra

Petrochoice Offers One of the Nations Most Sustainable Lubricants on the Market Today: Eco Ultra

King of Prussia, PA – 04/25/2022 – PetroChoice, the Nation’s No. 1 lubricant Distributor that specializes in advanced lubrication solutions and services, is also a leader in developing a high-quality sustainable lubrication option that positively impacts the environment by lowering the dependency on natural resources and reduces waste.

“We created the Eco Ultra product with the goal of developing a product that didn’t sacrifice quality while at the same time allowed us to conserve natural resources,” said Rob Walker, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “The product is unique because it’s created through recycled additives that have already been used, thus creating a sustainable product for our customers.”

Our team developed the Eco Ultra product with sustainability in mind. Today’s advanced re-refining process removes impurities to produce a clean, high-grade base oil. Supplemented with recycled additives that have been used before, all Eco Ultra products are carefully formulated to meet or exceed applicable industry licensing and specifications, including the latest API categories, SAE requirements, ILSAC specifications, current OEM qualifications, and other industry mandates.

Eco Ultra was also designed to be profitable. As an exclusive PetroChoice proprietary brand, this lubricant has been formulated and blended according to PetroChoice standards. Some of the industry’s most experienced oil and lubrication experts developed the innovative Eco Ultra line and continue to oversee a superior support solutions package that helps our installers build business.

About PetroChoice: PetroChoice is one of the largest petroleum-based lubricant distributors in the United States, providing business solutions for industrial, commercial, and passenger automobile customers. The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment. For more information please visit PetroChoice.com.

PetroChoice Names Roy Rosas as Chief Executive Officer

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania – February 23, 2022 – PetroChoice Lubrication Solutions (“PetroChoice” or the “Company”), the leading distributor of lubricants in America and a portfolio company of Golden Gate Capital, today announced the appointment of Roy Rosas as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of PetroChoice’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Rosas succeeds Celeste Mastin, who has decided to step down from her role at the Company to pursue a new opportunity. She will remain a member of PetroChoice’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Rosas is a highly accomplished professional with more than 25 years of strategic leadership experience. He has served as an Operating Executive at Golden Gate Capital since 2012 and has been actively involved with PetroChoice since it was acquired by Golden Gate Capital in 2015. He previously served as Operating Director with Berkshire Partners, and held the position of Chief Marketing and Administrative Officer at Vi-Jon (formerly a Berkshire portfolio company). Prior to Berkshire Partners, Mr. Rosas led Procter & Gamble’s Oral B Developing Markets Global Business Group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rosas co-founded Reputation Technologies, a supply chain analytics company that was acquired by Security Source, led strategy consulting engagements at the Boston Consulting Group and held marketing leadership roles with Procter & Gamble. He holds an MBA from Harvard, an M.S. from the National University of Singapore and a B.S. in Business & Accountancy from the University of the Philippines.

“With a comprehensive suite of advanced lubrication solutions, a diverse and growing customer base and one of the greatest contiguous footprints in the U.S., we are proud to have built PetroChoice into the largest lubricant distributor with a major proprietary brand gaining in influence in the United States,” said Felix Lo, Managing Director at Golden Gate Capital and a PetroChoice Board Member. “Roy is a seasoned strategic leader who blends broad industrials experience with proven operational results. Importantly, he knows the Company very well having worked closely with the PetroChoice team from the beginning of Golden Gate’s investment. We are confident he is the right person to accelerate the strategies set in place under Celeste with complete continuity.

Mr. Lo added, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Celeste for her many contributions to PetroChoice since joining the Company in 2018 and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Ms. Mastin said, “It has been an honor to lead PetroChoice over the past four years and I am proud of the tremendous progress we achieved during this period, including making investments in our unique, first-in-industry technology platforms, as well as strengthening our salesforce effectiveness and integrated operating model. I look forward to continuing to support the Company as a member of the Board. Roy and I have collaborated closely over the years, facilitating a smooth hand-off and assuring continuity of momentum for PetroChoice. Importantly, the leadership at PetroChoice is composed of talented professionals that will contribute to making the transition flawless.”

Mr. Rosas said, “It is an incredible time to be at PetroChoice. With very strong demand signals across multiple sectors, reflecting resurgent macroeconomic activity, PetroChoice is poised to capitalize on this moment due to the hard work and transformation efforts completed over the last few years. I look forward to continuing to work with the PetroChoice team as we drive forward our strategic areas of focus, including footprint expansion, full deployment of our leading-edge technologies, growing our premium and proprietary brand offerings, strengthening our strategic partnerships and progressing on our M&A pipeline. I am confident that we will continue setting the gold standard for the distribution model of the future as we firmly execute on these areas, while continuing to prioritize employee safety and the Company’s rich internal culture.”

About PetroChoice
PetroChoice is one of the largest lubricant distributors in the United States, with roughly $1 billion in revenue, providing business solutions for industrial lubricant needs and commercial and passenger car motor oil. The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates 55 locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment. For more information please visit PetroChoice.com.

About Golden Gate Capital
Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with over $19 billion in cumulative committed capital. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including going-privates, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations, as well as debt and public equity investments. Notable investments sponsored by Golden Gate Capital include Active Minerals, ANGUS, Cole-Parmer, Covia and Vantage Elevator Solutions. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.

Contacts
Alyssa Lorenzo / Anne Nisperos Hew / Elizabeth LakeGoldenGate-SVC@sardverb.com

PetroChoice Expands Southeast Reach with Acquisition of APS Lubricants (Advanced Performance Services, Inc).

(King of Prussia, PA)- January 6, 2022

PetroChoice, the leading provider of lubrication solutions, is kicking off the New Year by announcing the acquisition of Goodwater, Alabama based distributor, APS Lubricants.

Owned by industry veterans Todd Hayes and Greg Davidson, APS Lubricants has provided top notch service distribution to Industrial, Fleet and Automotive customers in Central and Southeastern Alabama since 2007.   Hayes and Davidson together bring a combined industry experience of 60 years to PetroChoice.  With a ‘one stop shop’ philosophy and superior attention to customer service, PetroChoice is eager to welcome the APS team within their footprint.

Greg Davidson, APS, states, “We considered several buyer options, and PetroChoice was the easiest to work with.  Their transparency throughout the acquisition process was second to none.”

“We wanted to continue to grow with the business, and this was something PetroChoice was able to offer,” said Todd Hayes, APS.

PetroChoice has had a strong presence along the East Coast since their inception.  Acquisitions and greenfield sites have allowed PetroChoice to grow site distribution of quality lubrication products into 26 states across the US.  With the addition of APS, PetroChoice can now add Alabama to that count.

“APS has a strong commercial and industrial distribution portfolio that complements our current client base,” said Celeste Mastin, CEO of PetroChoice.  “Their prime location gives PetroChoice a launching pad from Alabama, allowing us to build and strengthen our presence in the entire Southeast,” continued Mastin.

Davidson and Hayes will continue with the PetroChoice organization. Effective immediately, APS Lubricants will be operating as PetroChoice.

About PetroChoice: PetroChoice is one of the largest petroleum-based lubricant distributors in the United States, providing business solutions for industrial, commercial and passenger automobile customers.  The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment.  For more information please visit PetroChoice.com.

Leading Lubricant Supplier Introduces PetroChoice Gold®

(KING OF PRUSSIA, PA) – PetroChoice, a leading provider of lubrication solutions, is proud to announce the launch of our new PetroChoice Gold® program.

PetroChoice Gold® is a free, value added service for PetroChoice customers who order our proven, quality proprietary branded products.  This new service aims to help our customers simplify their operations by providing delivery visibility, while offering a best-in-class experience.

PetroChoice Gold® includes delivery notifications, day-of delivery updates, email alerts and, coming soon, SMS text messages.  PetroChoice Gold® customers will also receive immediate, paperless proof of delivery emails, estimated delivery time change notifications and dedicated customer support. 

“I am proud to introduce PetroChoice Gold, where our benefit of scale is translated into better service for our customers,” Celeste Mastin, CEO of PetroChoice, said.  “As consumers, we have all come to expect services that are still new in B2B, especially in the lubricants space.  PetroChoice Gold is bridging that gap.  Many thanks to our talented employees who are bringing this convenience to the market.”

PetroChoice will continue adding new PetroChoice Gold® locations and features. Those interested in learning more can visit petrochoice.com/about-petrochoice-gold.

About PetroChoice:

PetroChoice is one of the largest petroleum-based lubricant distributors in the United States, providing business solutions for industrial, commercial and passenger automobile customers.  The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment.  For more information please visit PetroChoice.com.

About Golden Gate Capital:

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with over $15 billion of capital under management. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including going-privates, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations, as well as debt and public equity investments. Other notable mining and industrials investments sponsored by Golden Gate Capital include US Silica, EP Minerals, ArrMaz, Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Springs Window Fashions, Canada Fluorspar Inc. and Atrium Windows. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.

PetroChoice CEO Celeste Mastin Named to ‘Most Influential’ List

PetroChoice CEO Celeste Mastin has been named to WomenInc. Magazine’s list of Most Influential Corporate Directors for 2019. 

The list features influential women serving on the boards of S&P 1000/Mid-Cap publicly held companies.  Mastin joins a group that includes influencers like General Motors CEO Mary Barra and former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Comissioner Laura Unger. 

Mastin became CEO of PetroChoice in March 2019.  She had previously served as CEO of Distribution International of Houston, Texas.  She has also worked as CEO of MMI Building Products and has more than 17 years’ experience in the chemical industry.

Globally, women account for about 22 percent of oil and gas industry employees.  According to a study by the World Petroleum Council and the Boston Consulting group, just 17 percent of those in senior and executive roles are women.  Only 1 percent of oil and gas CEOs are women.

PetroChoice is proud to have our CEO named as one of WomenInc. Magazine’s 2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Members. Congratulations to Celeste and the others who made the list.

PetroChoice Acquires Commercial Distributing Inc. of Oklahoma City

(King of Prussia, PA)- January 15, 2019

PetroChoice, a leading provider of lubrication solutions, is excited to announce the lubricant business acquisition of Commercial Distributing Inc. (CDi), headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.

CDi has been a trusted distributor of lubricants in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, specializing in the automotive market.  CDi has a long-standing reputation for providing customers with innovative solutions and top-quality lubrication products.

“We welcome CDi’s associates and customers to PetroChoice,” said Celeste Mastin, CEO of PetroChoice.  “PetroChoice currently services customers in this footprint, and the addition of CDi locations will prove beneficial to our commitment to anticipate and meet our customers’ needs,” continued Mastin.

Michael Barcum, President of CDi, stated, “I am pleased that PetroChoice is as dedicated to fostering the growth of my business for my employees and customers as I was.  I identified technology in distribution methods as being important in my vision for our regional distribution effort and the future of this industry, and PetroChoice is at the forefront of these endeavors.” 

Mastin added, “I’m also delighted that Mike Barcum has agreed to join the PetroChoice CEO Strategy Council.  The Council is an advisory board which provides ideas, support and a superior industry network of contacts to me and our leadership team.  Other members of that team include leaders from former PetroChoice acquisitions: Steve King (Anderson Lubricants), Ross Smith (Miller Industrial Fluids), Rick Palmore (Universal Lubricants) and Mike Foltz (LubriCorp).

Effective immediately, CDi will be operating as PetroChoice. 

About PetroChoice:

PetroChoice is one of the largest petroleum-based lubricant distributors in the United States, providing business solutions for industrial, commercial and passenger automobile customers.  The company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, operates locations across the U.S. and employs some of the nation’s most knowledgeable technical experts in lubrication services and equipment.  For more information please visit PetroChoice.com.

About Golden Gate Capital:

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with over $15 billion of capital under management. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including going-privates, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations, as well as debt and public equity investments. Other notable mining and industrials investments sponsored by Golden Gate Capital include US Silica, EP Minerals, ArrMaz, Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Springs Window Fashions, Canada Fluorspar Inc. and Atrium Windows. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.