Abacus Finance Group Provides Senior Debt Financing to Support River Associates’ Leveraged Buyout of Horsepower Automotive Group

New York, NY, August 31, 2026 – Abacus Finance Group, LLC – a leading provider of cash flow-based, senior debt for sponsor-led investments in lower middle-market companies – today announced that it served as Senior Secured Credit Facilities Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger in a senior debt financing to support River Associates’ leveraged buyout of Horsepower Automotive Group. Abacus Finance Group also made an equity co-investment in Horsepower Automotive Group.

Horsepower Automotive Group is a designer and engineer, manufacturer, and distributor of premium, branded automotive aftermarket products built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. River Associates is a private equity firm based in Chattanooga, TN, which has focused exclusively on investing in the lower middle market for over 35 years.

“Once again all the key elements were in place when working with Abacus – speed, certainty, and industry experience,” said River Associates Principal Blake Lewis.

“We were thrilled to work with a blue-chip lower middle market firm like River Associates. Our relationship dates back 15 years to 2011 when Abacus was founded,” said Tim Clifford, CEO and Founding Partner of Abacus Finance. “As in past transactions, our success was a function of our speed, structural flexibility, and certainty of close – key aspects of what we call our Total Partnership Approach™.”

“We are eager to support both Horsepower Automotive Group and River Associates and look forward to continuing to see the growth of the platform,” said Abacus Senior Managing Director Eric Petersen.

Abacus Vice President Greg Scanlon and Analyst Torielle Simon also helped lead the transaction. Legal counsel was provided by Goulston & Storrs.

‍Horsepower Automotive Group operates as a holding company for off-road automotive aftermarket brands – Addictive Desert Designs, C4 Fabrication, DV8 Offroad, Flatline Van Company, and Rago Fabrication. They collectively offer a range of aftermarket accessories for Jeep, Toyota, Raptor, Bronco, Sprinter, Transit, Promaster, and other truck / SUV / van enthusiasts looking for tough, durable and stylish designs to set them apart on the trails. Addictive Desert Designs was born from an addiction to push the limits of design, a passion for customizing vehicles, and a love for the desert. DV8 understands that, along with style, Jeep enthusiasts need functional, reliable equipment that also protects their investment. C4 Fabrication, with products 100% designed and manufactured in the USA, delivers premium bumpers, armor, and accessories for the Toyota off-road and overland community, engineered to balance function and form in equal measure. Flatline Van Company was formed on a collective love for the outdoors, and they share this passion through their line-up of roof racks, storage solutions, bed systems, and other gear for those seeking the adventure van life. Rago Fabrication focuses on providing sleek and strong mounting solutions for overlanding gear. For additional information, visit www.ragofabrication.com, www.addictivedesertdesigns.com, www.dv8offroad.com, flatlinevanco.com, and c4fabrication.com.

River Associates is a private equity firm based in Chattanooga, TN, which has focused exclusively on investing in the lower middle market for over 35 years. Target businesses can be privately held, private equity-backed, or divestitures from larger companies in the U.S. and Canada with initial EBITDA in the $3 million to $12 million range. River Associates is opportunistic as to industry and has invested in numerous niche manufacturers, high margin distributors, industrial service providers, and business service companies. Since its founding in 1989, River Associates has completed more than 125 transactions and is investing its eighth investment fund with $345 million of committed capital. For more information, visit www.riverassociates.com.

 

Abacus Finance Group, LLC (including its subsidiaries and affiliates, together “Abacus”) is a leading asset management firm specializing in private credit solutions to the lower middle market. Since Abacus’s inception in 2011, it has closed over $3.5 billion in financings. The firm targets private debt financing opportunities of up to $60 million and finances companies with EBITDA between $2 million and $15 million. The firm is headquartered in New York City and maintains a second office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Abacus is an affiliate of New York Private Bank & Trust, which was founded in 1850. Abacus Finance is located at 22 Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 6H, New York, NY 10017. All inquiries and new investment opportunities should be directed to Tim Clifford at 212-850-4620 or cliffordt@abacusfinance.com. Please visit abacusfinance.com for more information.

Total Partnership Approach™ (TPA), a registered trademark of Abacus Finance, LLC, brings together cash-flow financing expertise, deep industry knowledge, a turnaround time of under 72 hours, and exceptional client service over the lifecycle of each investment – all in all, a comprehensive methodology that reflects our emphasis on growing relationships rather than just focusing on the number of transactions. We encourage sponsors to Count on Us™ because of the deep partnerships we forge by going well above and beyond what they traditionally have come to expect. We don’t believe in the phrase “good enough” – we push ourselves to create custom financing solutions specifically tailored for each transaction.