Paratus Capital And TruckPro Management Buys Company From AutoZone

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 20 -- Paratus Capital Management announced that it has joined with management to acquire TruckPro, from its publicly traded parent, AutoZone, Inc. Fleet Capital Corporation is providing the senior bank financing.

TruckPro, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, distributes heavy duty truck parts through 49 locations in eleven states, primarily in the southeastern and midwestern United States. TruckPro was founded in Memphis in 1958 as the Haygood Truck and Trailer Parts Company and is one of the largest independent distributors of heavy duty truck parts in the United States. TruckPro's customers include national and regional truck fleets, independent truck operators, and independent repair shops.

David Wilson, Partner in Paratus Capital's New York office, commented that ``TruckPro's reputation for excellent service and product breadth have enabled it to grow into one of the nation's leading distributors of heavy duty truck parts. We seek to build on that leadership position through continued internal growth, and selective acquisitions.''

``We are attracted to acquisitions in which management invests along side us in the transaction, as is the case with TruckPro,'' said Charles Cherington, Partner in Paratus' Boston office. ``The fact that the senior team at TruckPro is committing its money and professional careers to the transaction confirms our belief that TruckPro is a first-class company with terrific prospects.''

TruckPro President Mick Baird added, ``our management team has the depth and experience to grow the Company significantly. We are looking forward to becoming stakeholders as we seek to build on TruckPro's outstanding reputation for quality and service. Our customers will find us more committed than ever, now that we are owners as well as managers.''

Paratus Capital Management LLC is a private investment firm that sponsors leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of middle market companies. The Firm targets companies with leading market positions and works to accelerate growth and profitability though close working relationships with senior management.

For information about TruckPro, contact Mick Baird, President, at (901) 495-8108. For information about Paratus Capital Management, contact Charles Cherington at (617) 738-1900 or David Wilson at (914) 925-3468 or go to www.paratuscapital.com.