Patriot Capital, a multi-strategy middle market investment firm, is pleased to announce its recent debt and equity co-investment to support the majority recapitalization of Central States Bus Sales, Inc. (“CSBS”), a multi-state dealer of new and used school and commercial buses intended to serve school districts, municipalities and other organizations. Patriot partnered with Independent Bankers Capital Funds, Capital for Business, Konza Valley Capital and Jeff Reitz, President & CEO of CSBS, in its investment in CSBS.
Headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, CSBS is the largest authorized dealer of Blue Bird Corporation (“Blue Bird”) school buses in the United States, exclusively serving Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama. CSBS has a longstanding relationship with Blue Bird, a leading school bus manufacturer with gas, diesel, low- and zero-emission school buses fueled by propane and natural gas, and electric-powered (EV) buses in operation today.
“We are excited to work with our investment partners to ensure the long-term success of our great company and allow it to grow and expand in the future,” commented Jeff Reitz, President & CEO of CSBS. “We are also pleased that we will be able to continue providing excellent new and used buses and quality service to our customers. You can look for continued investment and growth in the future from CSBS as the Company explores additional opportunities to service our customers and expand our coverage territory, as we just recently started doing in the state of Alabama.”
For more information on this transaction, please contact:
Charles McCusker, Managing Partner
Alex Tyroler, Senior Associate