Dexter Axle, a manufacturer of trailer axles, brakes and hubs and drums for over 50 years, has acquired the North American assets of AL-KO Axis Inc. AL-KO Axis is a manufacturer of axles and other components for trailers and towable equipment in the utility, recreational vehicle, heavy duty, manufactured housing, agricultural, marine and specialty markets. As part of the transaction, the AL-KO Kober Group will become a shareholder in Dexter Axle, and Stefan Kober will join the board of directors of Dexter Axle.

“We are thrilled by this acquisition and the positive impact it will have on our combined customer base,” said Adam Dexter, president and CEO of Dexter Axle. “The addition of the AL-KO people, products and facilities will help us continue to provide the highest level of customer service available in the market place.”

Stefan Kober, CEO of the AL-KO Kober Group stated, “Over my time in the axle industry, I have recognized the similarities in AL-KO’s and Dexter’s business principles of striving for on-time and complete delivery, producing high quality products, and offering superior customer service. I believe that our customers and employees will appreciate the additional resources that Dexter will bring to this pursuit.”

Dexter products are American made in highly automated facilities in Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, California and Tennessee with distribution throughout North America and several other countries. AL-KO Axis has locations in Elkhart, Ind., Shawnee, Okla., La Grande, Ore., Tifton, Ga., Ward, Ark., Rock Hill, S.C., and Ankeny, Iowa.

“We have begun to implement plans to utilize our combined capabilities to offer our customers the best service and most comprehensive product line in the industry,” Dexter continued. “We look forward to working with the AL-KO Axis management team through a successful transition.”

Dexter Axle is majority owned by a fund managed by The Sterling Group, a leading private equity firm based in Houston, Texas, with over $1 billion of assets under management.