Tag: News

ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2024 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, the leading provider of third-party private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine, and powersports industries, today announced the appointment of Joe Zhang as chief financial officer and Alen Gong as chief risk officer. These elevations of Zhang and Gong position the company for continued innovation and are pivotal for its upcoming strategic initiatives.

Zhang, who has been with Safe-Guard since 2013, was previously the vice president of strategy and analytics. In this role, he was responsible for building and overseeing Safe-Guard’s sales analytics and corporate development functions. During his tenure, Zhang developed long-term strategic plans, built the company’s data-driven salesforce effectiveness model, and was a key contributor to the acquisition of Dealer Solutions and Design. Leveraging his background in finance and strategy as CFO, Zhang will focus on building strategic alignment across all departments within Safe-Guard and reinforcing the commitment to delivering quality service and operational excellence to customers.

“I am excited to take on the role of CFO at Safe-Guard,” said Zhang. “Our strong financial position is crucial to our ability to innovate and grow, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional value to our partners. If we as a team are all pointed in the right direction, the opportunity is tremendous as the foundation is already set up for success.”

Alen Gong, who joined Safe-Guard in 2016, played a critical role in the development and modernization of Safe-Guard’s Risk Management function. Prior to his new role as chief risk officer, Gong served as chief actuary, where he was responsible for the sustainability and underwriting performance of Safe-Guard’s portfolio of protection products. In his new role, Gong will capitalize on his deep understanding of actuarial science, financial risk management, and his extensive experience in the F&I industry to further strengthen the company’s risk mitigation strategies. In addition, Gong will lead the newly created function of data governance to leverage Safe-Guard’s industry-leading data to support client growth.

“In today’s dynamic market, effective risk management is more critical than ever,” Gong stated. “I am eager to apply my expertise in this new capacity to ensure Safe-Guard remains at the forefront of industry best practices while continuing to drive growth and innovation.”

“Joe and Alen’s roles will amplify our ability to deliver advanced data-driven solutions, and their combined expertise and vision will be crucial as we continue to deliver unparalleled solutions to our clients,” said David Pryor, Safe-Guard president and CEO. “Our partners will benefit from improved insights and more tailored solutions, leading to better decision-making and increased satisfaction.”

The transition in leadership underscores Safe-Guard’s commitment to fostering internal talent and ensuring continuity in its strategic direction. As the company moves forward under this new leadership structure, it remains dedicated to its core values of innovation, customer service, and industry leadership.

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About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine, and motorcycle/powersports industries. Through its Protection Products Platform, Safe-Guard develops highest-quality programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service and advanced technology solutions, which are fostered by superior sales and marketing support. Visit safe-guardproducts.com for more information.

ATLANTA, July 15, 2024 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, a leading provider of third-party private label finance and insurance protection products for the automotive, RV, marine, and powersports industries, today announced that it has closed on a majority investment from Hellman & Friedman, one of the world’s largest private equity firms.

The strategic partnership is set to propel Safe-Guard’s growth and solidify its position as the premier provider of finance and insurance products and solutions in the sector. Stone Point Capital LLC, a longstanding investor in Safe-Guard, will continue to partner with the company and participate on Safe-Guard’s board.

Safe-Guard’s management team will continue to drive the success of the business for the benefit of its partners, their customers and other stakeholders. In connection with the transaction, Randy Barkowitz is assuming a board-level leadership role as full-time Executive Chairman, while David Pryor is continuing in his role as President and assuming the responsibility of Chief Executive Officer of Safe-Guard.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hellman & Friedman as our new majority investor,” said Barkowitz. “Safe-Guard’s commitment to excellence remains steadfast. With Hellman & Friedman’s backing and Stone Point’s continued support, we are positioned to deliver even more innovative solutions, superior service and unmatched value to our partners and their customers.”

Hellman & Friedman, renowned for its focus on helping industry leaders reach new heights, fully embraces Safe-Guard’s unique strategy and the strength of its management team. The investment highlights Hellman & Friedman’s commitment to supporting Safe-Guard in delivering F&I products, dealer service, customer satisfaction, and technology solutions. Through this investment, Safe-Guard will gain additional resources to invest in its people, processes, and technology.

“Safe-Guard is a differentiated provider of private label protection products, offering value to dealers, strategic partners and consumers,” said Hunter Philbrick, Partner at Hellman & Friedman. “The business has built an impressive reputation for its high-quality products and service, and we are excited to partner with the talented management team and provide additional firepower to support the company’s strategic priorities. We see several significant growth opportunities and look forward to working together to realize the immense potential ahead.”

Based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard’s industry-defining Protection Products Platform delivers frictionless service, consistency, and customer-centric solutions to more than 19 million consumers who are protected under contracts administered by Safe-Guard.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and SPC Capital Markets LLC acted as financial advisors to Safe-Guard and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel to the company. Jefferies LLC was the lead financial advisor to Hellman & Friedman, with Waller Helms also providing financial advice and Kirkland & Ellis acting as legal counsel.

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About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine, and motorcycle/powersports industries. Through its Protection Products Platform, Safe-Guard develops the highest-quality programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service and advanced technology solutions, which are fostered by superior sales and marketing support. Visit safe-guardproducts.com for more information.

About Hellman & Friedman

Hellman & Friedman is a preeminent global private equity firm with a distinctive investment approach focused on a limited number of large-scale equity investments in high-quality growth businesses. H&F seeks to partner with world-class management teams where its deep sector expertise, long-term orientation, and collaborative partnership approach enable companies to flourish. H&F targets outstanding businesses in select sectors, including technology, financial services, healthcare, consumer services & retail, and information, content & business services.

Since its founding in 1984, H&F has invested in over 100 companies. The firm is currently investing its tenth fund, with over $24 billion of committed capital, and has over $115 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. Learn more about H&F’s defining investment philosophy and approach to sustainable outcomes at www.hf.com.

About Stone Point Capital
Stone Point is an alternative investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, with more than $55 billion of assets under management. Stone Point targets investments in companies in the global financial services industry and related sectors. The firm invests in alternative asset classes, including private equity through its flagship Trident Funds and credit through commingled funds and separately managed accounts. In addition, Stone Point Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies and other clients by providing dedicated financing solutions. For more information on Stone Point, please visit: www.stonepoint.com.

This transformation is the result of a purposeful digital strategy designed to leverage the company’s 30 years of data and applications that drive key metrics, business decisions, and enhanced service capabilities. At the forefront of the F&I industry, Safe-Guard delivers protection products and solutions that drive sustainable, scalable growth.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to protection products isn’t enough in today’s market, especially considering the various generational groups that currently drive spending,” says Safe-Guard CEO Randy Barkowitz. “For many years, we have set out to change the industry, drive innovation, and enhance transparency. Our evolution from a traditional TPA to a Protection Products Platform allows us to grow with our customers, no matter how their needs change over time.”

Serving a diverse customer base, the company has fully embraced changes in the F&I industry to meet the market demand of vehicle owners. The company’s digital transformation mirrors the broad changes happening across the automotive sector, promising to dynamically reshape the industry landscape for the better.

“The new website is a powerful representation of our company, our people, and our commitment to innovation,” says Safe-Guard President, David Pryor. “Through the integration of data and advanced analytics, we’ve successfully transformed Safe-Guard into a Protection Products Platform that will drive sustainable and scalable growth for our customers.”

Safe-Guard’s dedication to innovation and customer centricity has positioned them as the leader in the F&I industry, and the new website showcases this commitment to meet the evolving needs of its customers. This unwavering dedication remains essential as the company transitions to a new era as a Protection Products Platform.

Atlanta, GA, January 25, 2023 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, the leading provider of branded protection products for the automotive, RV, powersports and marine industries, announces the retirement of Executive Chairman Dave Duncan. Duncan was an essential part of the Safe-Guard family from early on and most recently has served as executive chairman since 2020. While boasting over three decades of finance and insurance experience, Duncan’s impact will be missed by the Safe-Guard team.

“Dave has a unique wealth of industry knowledge and a focus on creating innovative client solutions that positioned Safe-Guard for a dynamic future growth. We would like to thank Dave for his dedication and contributions to our organization and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” stated David Pryor, president of Safe-Guard.

During his time at Safe-Guard, Duncan has held roles as senior vice president, president and executive chairman, respectively. Prior to joining Safe-Guard, Duncan was president and CEO of Diversified Automotive Group and held numerous management positions in automotive retail.

“Throughout his career at Safe-Guard, Dave was instrumental in the creation and implementation of our strategic vision and plan, and he has been truly dedicated to our organization and its mission,” said Safe-Guard CEO Randy Barkowitz.

Under Duncan’s leadership as executive chairman, Safe-Guard successfully broadened its product offerings, expanded into new channels, and released a range of branded solutions for clients and dealers. Throughout his 27 years with Safe-Guard, Duncan played a significant role in the company’s growth and success by advancing sales, marketing and development efforts, acting as a key player in expanding the company’s reach through the OEM, national retail and agent channels. Duncan also led the deployment of turnkey programs for the company’s F&I business units, demonstrating strong leadership throughout his tenure.

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About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading sales and marketing. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to top retailers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent agents across the United States and Canada. Visit safe-guardproducts.com for more information.

Mississauga, ON, May 13, 2022 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, the leading provider of branded protection products for the automotive, RV, powersports and marine industries, today announced Andre Ramgattie has joined the company as the national director of account management and business development for Safe-Guard Canada, Ltd., effective immediately.

Ramgattie brings nearly fifteen years of automotive experience with him to Safe-Guard Canada, having started his career in corporate roles for Honda Canada and Volvo Cars Canada, and then in retail covering used, leasing, F&I and sales roles. Prior to joining Safe-Guard, Ramgattie spent nine years working in sales operations and market intelligence for a major finance and insurance provider. At Safe-Guard, Ramgattie will focus on building relationships with existing clients and partnering with David Wilke, national sales director, to grow Safe-Guard Canada’s client roster and drive retail sales.

“We are thrilled to have Andre join Safe-Guard Canada as the national director of account management and business development,” said David Pryor, president of Safe-Guard. “Andre’s extensive experience within the automotive world across retail, corporate and the F&I provider space will prove to be a big asset in leading and serving Safe-Guard’s current clients. We’re excited to have Andre as a part of our team as we continue to deliver full-service, branded solutions and drive sales performance for our client and dealer partners.”

“Andre’s real-world experience from retail to corporate, combined with his data-driven sales expertise, will truly benefit our retail and client partners,” said John Stewart, EVP OEM field sales and training for Safe-Guard. “Andre’s experience and leadership will help us to further accelerate performance for Safe-Guard partners.”

Ramgattie graduated with a BBA in automotive from Georgian College and obtained his EMBA from the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa.

About Safe-Guard Products Canada

Founded in 2001 and based in Mississauga, Ontario, Safe-Guard Products Canada is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality programs and matches them with industry-leading marketing, dedicated sales and training, advanced technology solutions and comprehensive customer service. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top dealer groups and retailers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.safe-guardproducts.com.

Toronto, ON, May 13, 2021 – Yamaha Motor Canada today announced a partnership with Safe-Guard Products Canada, Ltd., the leading provider of private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine and powersports industries. The program, launching July 5, enables Yamaha to provide a complete, branded protection product solution to dealers under the Yamaha Motor Protection Plan name. Products available include Credit Insurance, Bundle Loan Protection, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Tire & Wheel Protection, as well as a suite of products for offmakes. Additionally, Safe-Guard will support the Yamaha Motor Protection Plan program with an enhanced dealer support team, business development resources, complimentary retail training and branded marketing content, technology integration and administration of the program.

“Joining forces with Safe-Guard provides a powerful boost to our organization, our dealers and their riders,” said Peter Smallman-Tew, president and managing director at Yamaha Motor Canada. “This partnership enables Yamaha to bring new, industry-leading solutions to the table for our dealers, which enhances their business by driving revenue and customer retention while improving the owner experience for the customers they serve.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Yamaha to provide them with a purpose-built, fully branded protection program for their dealers,” said Mary Buhr, director of account management and business development at Safe-Guard. “Yamaha is a premier player within the powersports industry and we’re proud to power innovative and value-added solutions for this great brand.”

With international headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and Canadian headquarters based in Mississauga, Ontario, Safe-Guard Products manages protection product programs for over 50 strategic partners across the U.S. and Canada, offering a full suite of protection products and dealer business solutions in the automotive, RV, marine and powersport industries. More than 13 million consumers are protected under contracts by Safe-Guard.

About Yamaha Motor Canada, Ltd.

Since incorporating in 1973, Yamaha Motor Canada has expanded to include 10 product groups that help Canadians make the most of their time outdoors. In addition, Yamaha offers after-sales support with parts, accessories, lubricants, apparel and service, with over 400 dealers servicing Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

About Yamaha Financial Services

Yamaha Financial Services, a division of Yamaha Motor Canada, offers dealers and customers access to flexible, convenient financial solutions designed primarily for the powersports and marine industries. Committed to a high-quality customer experience, Yamaha Financial Services Canada is also part of a growing global community of finance companies within Yamaha Motor Corporation in the United States, Australia, France, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and Russia.

About Safe-Guard Products Canada, Ltd.

Founded in 2001 and based in Mississauga, Ontario, Safe-Guard Products Canada is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers programs on behalf of clients, backed by industry-leading sales and marketing, advanced technology solutions and comprehensive customer service. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top dealer groups and retailers across Canada.

Atlanta, GA, January 25, 2021 – Schomp Automotive has announced a new partnership with Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, the leading provider of third-party private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine and powersports industries. Beginning January 5, Schomp Automotive now provides a complete F&I product solution to Schomp dealers under the One Protect brand along with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) branded products. The One Protect brand includes a full suite of twelve fully branded protection products, as well as technology integrations to power Schomp’s proprietary A2Z Sync software, retail training support with on-demand dealer training content and complimentary branded sales and marketing content.

“Our partnership with Safe-Guard is a significant collaboration that will help connect and streamline the business for our dealers,” said Aaron Wallace, dealer principal, Schomp Automotive Group. “We pride ourselves on a simple, transparent automotive purchase experience and having Safe-Guard as our partner provides us with the powerful combination of the One Protect brand plus the OEM brand in applicable stores, as well as the technology integrations and retail training to help us power our business. What’s more, the One Protect products will be available to dealers who utilize the A2Z Sync software.”

Schomp Automotive represents eight automotive dealerships, and eight brands across two states.

“Safe-Guard is excited to support Schomp Automotive dealers and fuel their A2Z Sync retail technology with our complete solution,” said Tony Catania, chief revenue officer of Safe-Guard. “Our unique combination of the private label solution for Schomp Automotive plus Safe-Guard’s management of more OEM protection product programs than any other provider allows us to deliver a one-stop resource for Schomp dealers. We look forward to helping drive business and customer retention for Schomp Automotive and A2Z Sync dealers.”

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Safe-Guard Products manages protection product programs for over 50 strategic partners across the U.S. and Canada, offering a full suite of protection products and dealer business solutions in the automotive, RV, marine and powersport industries. More than 13 million consumers are protected under contracts by Safe-Guard.

About Schomp Automotive Group
Schomp Automotive Group is a fourth-generation family-owned dealer group consisting of eight automotive dealerships supporting eight brands across Colorado and Utah. Schomp was a pioneer in the “One Price” methodology when Lisa Schomp introduced the concept in 1993. Aaron Wallace introduced “One Person,” eliminating the traditional finance office with client advisors taking the customer from start to finish in the car buying process. Wallace also introduced “One Hour” after founding the software company A2Z Sync that enables Schomp stores to complete the transaction process in one hour. The A2Z Sync software solution is now available to be licensed by other progressive dealers. In a traditionally stagnant industry, Schomp Automotive Group and its parent organization strive to remain ahead of the curve and provide a simple, transparent and stress-free automotive purchase experience.

About Safe-Guard Products International, LLC
Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers programs on behalf of clients, backed by industry-leading sales and marketing, advanced technology solutions and comprehensive customer service. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top retailers and independent agents across the United States and Canada.

Atlanta, GA, September 22, 2020 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, the leading provider of third-party private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine and powersports industries, today announced Michelle Stewart has joined the company as chief information security officer.

Stewart brings over fifteen years of information security experience with her to Safe-Guard. Prior to joining Safe-Guard, she spent time at RentPath, Elavon (U.S. Bank), The American Cancer Society and AirTran Airways working to create information security standards and build improvements in IT governance, identity and access management, vulnerability management and application security. At Safe-Guard, Stewart will focus on building data security for Safe-Guard clients, dealers and contract holders while proactively addressing the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape.

“We are pleased to have Michelle join Safe-Guard as the chief information security officer,” said Kaizer Siraj, chief information officer of Safe-Guard. “Michelle’s deep experience within information security across multiple industries will prove to be a big asset to help us continue to secure our data. We’re excited to have Michelle as a part of our team as we continue to build the technology and infrastructure to serve and protect our clients’ and dealers’ businesses.”

Stewart holds a B.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and an M.S. in management information systems from Nova Southeastern University.

About Safe-Guard Products International, LLC

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of branded vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality programs and matches them with industry-leading sales and marketing, advanced technology solutions and comprehensive customer service. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), top retailers and independent agents across the United States and Canada.