The deal underscores Carlyle’s commitment to invest in world-class advanced manufacturing enterprises in India and globally
Mumbai and New Delhi, India, February 13, 2025 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced it has completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Highway Industries Limited (“Highway”) and Roop Automotives Limited (“Roop”) (together “the Platform” or “Platform Entity”) through a proprietary and exclusive transaction. Equity for the investment will come from investment funds affiliated with Carlyle Asia Partners (CAP).
Highway and Roop are among the leading players in manufacturing forged and precision-machined components, steering system assemblies, transmissions and other powertrain applications for electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles. Over the last 30 years, the Platform has built a comprehensive product range of over 1,500 products, an extensive global clientele of 55 customers across 17 countries, and an expansive manufacturing footprint of 12 plants and 14 international warehouses. Carlyle intends to deepen its investments in the auto components space and will seek to add synergistic assets to the Platform.
The founders of Highway and Roop will continue to hold stakes in the Platform, underscoring their commitment to the long-term success of the companies. Carlyle will work with Highway and Roop to help them leverage operating synergies and create capabilities and capacities, to deliver enhanced value for their customers.
Amit Jain, Managing Director and Head of Carlyle India Advisors, said: “We believe India offers a tremendous opportunity in the advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in the auto components supply chain for both domestic and export markets. In our view, this provides a large-scale opportunity for the Platform. We believe creating scale with consolidation will enable investments in technology, talent and systems, which will allow the Platform to deliver an enhanced value proposition for its customers. We are excited to partner with Highway and Roop to build this Platform. Carlyle is well-placed to accelerate the growth of the Platform by leveraging our worldwide network and investments in the automotive sector globally.”
Mohit Oswal, Managing Director of Roop, said: “Roop has been an industry pioneer in the manufacturing of steering components and assemblies. For over 30 years, we have built strong expertise in our target applications and established deep relationships with our customers globally. Our partnership with Carlyle and Highway makes us even stronger and allows us to provide holistic solutions to our customers and value-add to all stakeholders.”
“At Highway, we have been at the forefront of driving technology-led growth for our customers globally and in India. With Carlyle’s investment and the partnership with Roop, I am confident that we will deliver on our collective commitment to drive innovation and broaden offerings for our clients,” said Umesh Munjal, Managing Director of Highway.
Mr. Oswal will serve as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Board for the Platform Entity. Additionally, Mark Blaufuss, Operating Executive at Carlyle with over 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive and manufacturing sectors; and Kishore Saletore, former Executive Director and Group CFO at Bharat Forge Limited, with over three decades of diverse industry experience, will join the Platform Entity’s Board of Directors.
KPMG, Trilegal, Kotak and Deloitte acted as advisors to Carlyle for the transaction. Singhi Advisors and KPMG acted as the financial advisors to Highway and Roop shareholders, respectively.
Carlyle’s buyout funds, including Carlyle Asia Partners, have deep experience investing in the Advanced Manufacturing or Industrial sector, and have invested over US$32 billion of equity in over 125 deals globally as of December 31, 2024, with approximately US$1.1 billion of this in Asia.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Global Investment Solutions. With US$441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs over 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
About Highway
Founded in 1971, Highway is one of India’s fastest growing manufacturers of mission critical powertrain sub-systems and components for global automotive customers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Highway’s focus on engineering excellence, innovation and customer service for more than 50 years has enabled it to establish multi-decade relationships with global automotive clients that are based on quality and trust. Highway has more than 3,000 skilled employees.
About Roop
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Haryana, Roop is an industry leader in the manufacturing of steering sub-systems and assemblies, and the largest manufacturer of steering yokes globally. Roop has developed unique engineering strengths and expertise in manufacturing critical automotive parts through decades of R&D and a team of more than 400 engineers. Roop prides itself as a leading solutions provider for steering system manufacturers globally for over 30 years. Roop exports largely to North America and Europe.
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