Who Owns Holley Company?

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Who Owns Holley Company?

Understanding Holley Company's ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and accountability. A major shift occurred in July 2021 when Holley Inc. became publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker 'HLLY' after merging with Empower Ltd., a SPAC. This transition marked a move from private equity to public ownership, valuing the company at approximately $1.55 billion.

Holley Performance Products, now Holley Performance Brands, traces its roots back to 1896. Initially focused on vehicles, the company pivoted to carburetors, becoming a key supplier to early automotive manufacturers. Today, headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, it is a leader in high-performance automotive aftermarket products with over 70 brands.

Who owns Holley Company?

The ownership structure of Holley Performance Brands has evolved significantly. Following its public listing in July 2021, the company's ownership is now distributed among public shareholders, institutional investors, and potentially remaining stakeholders from its private equity phase. Understanding these ownership dynamics is crucial for analyzing the company's future strategies and market position, especially in areas like its Holley PESTEL Analysis.

The Holley Company's origins trace back to brothers George and Earl Holley, who established their first venture in 1896. Their early innovations led to the formation of the Holley Motor Company in 1899, with Earl leading administration and George heading engineering and sales.

Early Vehicle Innovation

The Holley brothers began their automotive journey with a one-cylinder, three-wheeled vehicle called the 'Runabout,' capable of reaching 30 mph.

Holley Motorette Success

Their initial marketable automobile, the 'Holley Motorette,' achieved sales of over 600 units at $550 each in 1902.

Partnership with Henry Ford

A significant turning point occurred in 1903 when Henry Ford commissioned the brothers to produce carburetors, leading to the formation of Holley Brothers Company in 1905.

Focus on Carburetors

This collaboration solidified the company's specialization in carburetors and ignition systems, with their Model T carburetor becoming a major success.

Family Ownership Dominance

The Holley family maintained primary ownership of the company for over six decades, from its founding until its sale in 1968.

Second Generation Leadership

Following co-founder Earl Holley's retirement in 1953, the second generation, including George Holley, Jr., Danforth Holley, and Jack Holley, took the helm, expanding the company's reach.

The Holley Carburetor Co. became a vital supplier to Ford, and by the time of the sale to Colt Industries in 1968, the company had significantly broadened its customer base beyond Ford, establishing itself as a key original equipment supplier across the automotive industry.

Holley Company's Early Trajectory

The early years of Holley Company were defined by entrepreneurial spirit and strategic partnerships. The company's focus shifted from vehicle manufacturing to specialized components, a move that proved highly successful.

• Founded by brothers George and Earl Holley.
• Initial product was a three-wheeled vehicle.
• Secured a crucial contract with Henry Ford for carburetors.
• Remained under family ownership for over 60 years.
• The company was sold to Colt Industries in 1968.
• Second-generation leadership expanded market presence.

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Holley's ownership journey has seen significant shifts, moving from family control to corporate ownership, then a management buyout, and finally to public trading via a SPAC merger, fundamentally altering its shareholder base.

The public listing of Holley Inc. on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2021 marked a pivotal moment, establishing a new ownership landscape. This transaction, which valued the company at approximately $1.55 billion, brought in a broader base of investors. Understanding who owns Holley stock today involves looking at both the pre-SPAC merger stakeholders and the growing influence of institutional investors.

Key Stakeholders in Holley Inc.

As of late 2024, a significant portion of Holley's common stock is concentrated among early investors and the SPAC sponsor, alongside a substantial presence of institutional investors.

• As of December 31, 2024, the Holley Stockholder and Sponsor beneficially owned approximately 43% of the common stock, a figure rising to 46% when including shares underlying warrants.
• Institutional investors collectively held 39.70% of Holley's stock as of December 26, 2024.
• Notable institutional investors acquiring shares in the past two years include Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, Boston Partners, and Bamco.
• The total number of common shares outstanding was 119,958,936 as of March 11, 2025.
• This concentrated ownership structure provides these groups with considerable voting power.

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As of July 2025, Holley Inc.'s Board of Directors is structured to reflect significant stakeholder interests, with Matthew Rubel serving as Chairman. The board composition highlights connections to both the company's SPAC origins and key private equity investors.

The voting power within Holley Inc. is significantly influenced by a dual-class stock structure. As of March 24, 2025, Class A common stock carries one vote per share, while Class B common stock holds ten votes per share, with both classes voting together. This structure, combined with the substantial ownership by the Holley Stockholder and the Sponsor (Empower Ltd. and its affiliates), which collectively held approximately 43% of shares as of December 31, 2024 (46% including warrant-underlying shares), grants them considerable control over corporate decisions.

Understanding Holley's Voting Power

Holley Inc.'s voting structure is designed to concentrate control with specific shareholders. This is primarily achieved through a dual-class stock system.

• Class A shares have 1 vote per share.
• Class B shares have 10 votes per share.
• Both classes vote as a single unit.
• The Sponsor and Holley Stockholder held a combined 43% of shares as of December 31, 2024.
• This ownership translates to significant voting leverage, impacting Revenue Streams & Business Model of Holley.

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In the past few years, the Holley company ownership landscape has shifted significantly following its public debut. The company's transition to a publicly traded entity has introduced a broader base of investors, altering its shareholder profile.

The journey to becoming a public entity was marked by its merger with SPAC Empower Ltd. in July 2021, which led to its listing on the NYSE under the ticker 'HLLY'. This event brought institutional investors into the fold, with their stake reaching 39.70% by late 2024. Sentinel Capital Partners, a private equity firm that previously held control, continues to be a notable shareholder. Financially, the company experienced a 14.4% decrease in net sales to $134 million and a net loss of $6.3 million in Q3 2024. For the full fiscal year 2024, net sales were $602.2 million, an 8.7% decline from the prior year, with a reported net loss of $23.2 million. The company anticipates net sales for Q4 2024 to be between $133 million and $143 million.

Strategic Rebranding and Leadership Changes

In March 2024, the company rebranded to Holley Performance Brands, signaling an expanded mission. Matthew Stevenson assumed the roles of President and CEO in June 2023, succeeding Tom Tomlinson.

Acquisition Strategy and Financial Outlook

Between 2021 and 2022, Holley completed seven strategic acquisitions, including Brothers Truck Parts and AEM Performance Electronics. As of December 31, 2024, the company has not repurchased equity and does not plan to issue dividends, prioritizing debt reduction and strategic investments.

Investor Sentiment and Future Projections

Analyst sentiment for Holley stock in 2025 indicates a 'Strong Buy' consensus, with an average price target of $5.21 as of May 9, 2025. This suggests a positive outlook from market analysts regarding the company's future performance.

Holley's Evolving Business Segments

The company has organized its offerings into four key segments: Domestic Muscle, Modern Truck & Off-Road, Euro & Import, and Safety & Racing. This segmentation reflects a strategic approach to cater to diverse automotive markets.

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