Race Winning Brands Acquires MGP Connecting Rods

December 05, 2018

 

MENTOR, Ohio (December 5, 2018) – Race Winning Brands, Inc., a portfolio company of Kinderhook
Industries, LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Giannone Performance Products, Inc. dba MGP
Connecting Rods, a premium manufacturer of high-performance aluminum connecting rods. MGP
represents the fifth add-on acquisition for Race Winning Brands.
 
Race Winning Brands is the leading manufacturer of high performance and racing related components
sold to the automotive and powersports markets. RWB is headquartered in Mentor, Ohio and markets its
products globally through a portfolio of leading brands, including JE Pistons, Wiseco Performance
Products, K1 Technologies, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance, Dart Machinery, Rekluse Motor
Sports, Falicon Racing and ProX Racing Parts.
 
Founded in 1996, MGP has emerged as the premier manufacturer of aluminum connecting rods for the
racing and high-performance markets. By utilizing race-proven design engineering and CNC machining
technology, MGP offers designs and quality that surpass the needs of the most demanding engines and
engine builders. Proprietary features, such as Cap Interlocking Serration and small end Hard Bore
Technology, provide benefits proven to support the rigors of top tier racing. “The company is set to reach
full potential now as part of the Race Winning Brands family” said Darcell Giannone, owner and wife of
founder Michael Giannone. “I am excited to see the brand continue to grow and prosper in alignment with
Michael’s vision for MGP.”
 
Race Winning Brands CEO Brian Reese stated, “We continue pursuing our vision of leading racers to
victory with the best engine parts in the market, MGP is further investment in our expansion to adjacent
categories.”
 
Bob Fox, RWB’s President of Diamond Pistons and Trend Performance, will assume the role as President
of MGP Connecting Rods. “MGP is a leader in aluminum racing rods, technology, and manufacturing,”
said Fox. “Our plan is to offer customers a high-quality connecting rod that is co-engineered to work
perfectly with our pistons.”
 
About Race Winning Brands ...
 
Race Winning Brands (RWB) is the leading manufacturer of racing and high-performance parts sold to
automotive and powersports markets. RWB is the preferred source for high-end pistons, engine blocks,
cylinder heads, intake manifolds, connecting rods, crankshafts, clutches and other engine and
driveline-related performance components. RWB markets its products through multiple prominent
brands including JE Pistons, Wiseco Performance Products, K1 Technologies, Diamond Pistons, Trend Performance,
Rekluse Motor Sports, Falicon Racing, MGP Connecting Rods, ProX Racing Parts, and Dart Machinery.
RWB sells to a diverse and unmatched customer base of professional and sportsman racers, engine
builders, enthusiasts, OEMs, automotive and powersports dealers and wholesale distributors. RWB is
headquartered in Mentor, Ohio with sales offices and manufacturing operations in strategic locations
throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.