Dexter and AL-KO VT Strategic Combination Transaction Completed
In October 2015, Dexter announced the intent to acquire AL-KO Vehicle Technology (“VT”)
from AL-KO Kober SE. We are pleased to announce that as of December 31, 2015, we
successfully closed this transaction. As a result of combining Dexter and AL-KO VT, DexKo
Global Inc. has been formed as the parent company. DexKo Global Inc. is majority owned
by funds managed by The Sterling Group, Dexter’s current majority owners. The combined
company will include AL-KO Kober SE as a significant shareholder.
Fred Bentley, a Dexter board member and former CEO of Maxion Wheels, has been
named President and CEO of DexKo Global Inc. Adam Dexter will continue in his current
responsibilities as President and CEO of US-based Dexter. Harald Hiller will continue his
role of President of AL-KO VT. Kevin Garland, a Partner at The Sterling Group, will continue
as Chairman of the Board. Stefan Kober, CEO of AL-KO Kober SE, assumes the role of Vice
Chairman of the Board.
Dexter is a leading manufacturer of trailer axles, brakes and related components in North
America serving the utility trailer, recreational vehicle, heavy duty, manufactured housing,
agricultural, marine, and specialty trailer markets. Dexter is headquartered in Elkhart,
Indiana and has nine manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Headquartered in Kötz, Germany, AL-KO VT is the leading European designer and
manufacturer of trailer axles, trailer and caravan components, chassis and motorized
chassis. The company operates from 20+ locations around the world, including Europe,
Australia, South Africa, China and South America.
“Dexter prides itself on providing unparalleled quality, innovation and the highest levels
of customer service,” said Adam Dexter, President and CEO of Dexter. The combination
of Dexter and AL-KO VT will result in a global leader in trailer axle and chassis supply
with sales approaching nearly $1 billion. The Dexter and AL-KO VT brands will continue
as market leaders in their respective geographies. The two companies will be able to
leverage shared resources and technology, as well as the advantages of a global footprint
and significantly expanded scale.
Magna backs-up CES 2016 Innovation Award honoree
Rear view camera, image processing technology featured on Ford F-150
Magna International Inc., a world leader in camera-based driver assistance systems,
announced today its rear view camera and innovative image processing technologies
are featured in the 2016 Ford F-150 Pro Trailer Backup Assist system, the top CES 2016
Innovation Award honoree in the Vehicle Intelligence category.
Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist system allows a driver to safely back-up a trailer with an
automated system in which the driver steers the trailer using a control knob, while the
truck steers its own wheels. Ford’s system is enabled by Magna’s rear view camera, which
measures the angle between truck and trailer, as well as Magna’s image processing
algorithm, which calculates trailer angle by detecting target decals on the trailer.
“Congratulations to Ford Motor Company on being recognized by the CES for their
innovative system,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna’s Chief Technology Officer. “Collaboration
between automakers and suppliers is increasingly important as more autonomous
features are incorporated into vehicles. We are proud to support Ford with this first-tomarket trailer back-up technology on the F-150.”
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