Evans-based Club Car is expanding into Europe after signing a deal and agreeing to purchase Garia, a Denmark-based upscale golf cart and utility vehicle manufacturer.
The company did not release the purchase price of Garia, and in a press release issued Friday said the deal should be finalized sometime in the second quarter.
The purchase also includes a small Polish company called Melex, which makes compact utility vehicles and was recently acquired by Garia.
“We have great respect for Garia and Melex, which design and build some of the most impressive electric golf, leisure and compact utility vehicles in the world,” Mark Wagner, president of Club Car, said in his company’s press release. “We are excited to welcome their teams to the Club Car family.”
Robbie Bennett, executive director of the Development Authority of Columbia County, said he was aware of the deal but did not yet know if there would be an impact on employment or manufacturing at the Evans plant.
Last year, Platinum Equity bought Club Car and plans to expand the business, according to Platinum Equity’s Matthew Louie, managing director. He was quoted in the press release as saying Club Car would expand beyond luxury golf carts.
Club Car is the fourth largest manufacturer of golf carts in the United States. The top three manufacturers, in order, are Textron, Polaris and Yamaha, according to Thomasnet, the news arm of the Thomas business to business supply company.
Joshua B. Good is a staff reporter covering Columbia County and military/veterans’ issues for The Augusta Press. Reach him at joshua@theaugustapress.com
