The Carlyle Group Acquires Walbro Engine Management; Supporting Walbro’s Future Growth

Tokyo, Japan – Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that it has acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Walbro Engine Management, a global small engine parts manufacturer, from Sun Capital Partners. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Equity for the investment comes from Carlyle Japan Partners II.

Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Walbro is the world's largest manufacturer of carburetors and a major manufacturer of fuel and air management components mainly targeted at the outdoor power equipment industry.  Walbro has significant sales, R&D, and production capabilities in Japan and the United States, and also has manufacturing facilities in Thailand, China and Mexico.

Mr. Tony Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Walbro Engine Management, said, “Walbro supports worldwide markets with the aim to be the industry leader in the global small engine market by anticipating customer needs and delivering innovative solutions to a world that demands a cleaner environment. This transaction is consistent with our aim to satisfy increasing global market demands and we plan to leverage Carlyle’s global network to pursue further growth.”

“I am proud of the efforts of Walbro employees around the world in developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative products that add value to our company and position Walbro for the next level of growth with the support of The Carlyle Group,” Martin added. “The resources of The Carlyle Group will help us continue to serve our customers with the products and technology they need to meet today’s environmental and business challenges.”

Mr. Kazuhiro Yamada, Managing Director and Co-Head of Carlyle Japan, said, “Walbro is led by a strong management team with outstanding global presence. We will harness Carlyle's global network and financial resources to help Walbro expand to the next stage of product innovation and realize global growth.”

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About Walbro Engine Management
Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Walbro Engine Management is the world’s largest manufacturer of carburetors and a major manufacturer of ignition systems, fuel injection and air/fuel management components, and fuel storage and delivery components for engines targeted at outdoor power equipment, marine, recreational and two-wheel applications. Walbro Engine Management employs 2,200 people in facilities in the United States, Japan, Thailand, China and Mexico. Please visit www.walbro.com.  

About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $156 billion of assets under management across 99 funds and 63 fund of fund vehicles as of June 30, 2012. Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Fund of Funds Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs 1,300 people in 32 offices across six continents. www.carlyle.com; www.youtube.com/onecarlyle

About Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in more than 300 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $45 billion since Sun Capital’s inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as affiliates in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, please visit www.SunCapPart.com.

Contact:

Walbro Engine Management
Greg Marier
+1-989-872-7235
gmarier@walbro.com

The Carlyle Group
Yuzo Tomonaga / Kozo Uchida
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Japan K.K.
+81-3-5793-2376 / 2380
yuzo.tomonaga@ogilvy.com / kozo.uchida@ogilvy.com

Sun Capital Partners
Charles Dianis
Stanton Public Relations & Marketing
+1-646-502-3563
cdianis@StantonPRM.com

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