Platinum Equity Acquires Active Aero Group


LOS ANGELES, CA and BELLEVILLE, MI--(Marketwire - May 24, 2011) - Platinum Equity announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in Active Aero Group, Inc. ("Active Aero"), a provider of expedited transportation and logistics solutions.

Platinum acquired the majority stake in Active Aero from a consortium of sellers, including Berkshire Partners LLC and Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. The sellers retained a minority interest in the business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"Active Aero's enthusiastic and highly-skilled logistics experts deliver expedited transportation solutions to its customers every day. The company's customer-first orientation, combined with its IT systems and unique business model, provide a strong foundation to build upon going forward," said Brian Wall, partner at Platinum who led the team pursuing the acquisition. "We look forward to working closely with Chris Healy and his team in order to further solidify Active Aero's position in the premium transportation and logistics market."

Based in Belleville, Michigan, Active Aero provides its customers on-demand air and ground transportation solutions through an expansive network of third-party providers and its owned fleet of assets. The business utilizes its own proprietary procurement and execution IT platform and provides its customers the highest level of customer service and visibility to ensure critical deadlines are met while minimizing disruption during times of need and supply chain disorder.

Active Aero's sophisticated IT systems also provide customers with unparalleled choices through the ability to easily weigh the costs and benefits of different transportation options to determine which solution best meets their individual needs.

Active Aero CEO Chris Healy, who has been with the company in various capacities since 2001, will continue leading the businesses under the new ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity will create exciting new opportunities for our company and our customers. We expect to diversify our product offering and accelerate our plans for expansion," said Mr. Healy. "We have an exceptional track record for safety, on-time delivery and customer service. With Platinum's operations expertise and M&A resources we are poised for an exciting period of growth and new possibilities."

About Active Aero Group
Active Aero Group (www.activeondemand.com and www.usajetairlines.com) is a privately held company headquartered in Belleville, Michigan. Active Aero Group owns and manages two primary business units: Active On-Demand and USA Jet Airlines.

Active On-Demand provides the world's largest shippers and manufacturers with expedited ground, air, and emergency air charter services. Active On-Demand's online transportation management solution provides shippers with access to greater capacity, more bids, more service options, and the best available price for every shipment.

USA Jet Airlines provides air cargo charter shippers, business executives, athletic teams, and music and entertainment professionals with private jet charter services to and from more than 5,000 airports throughout North America and the Caribbean.

About Platinum Equity
Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com) is a global M&A&O® firm specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets, including information technology, telecommunications, logistics, metals services, manufacturing and distribution. Since its founding in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity has completed more than 115 acquisitions.

Contact Information:

Contact:

Dan Whelan
Platinum Equity
(310) 282-9202