Washington, D.C., December 2011

HCI Equity Partners announces its acquisition of TDS (“TDS” or the “Company”), formerly known as Tuthill Drive Systems from Tuthill Corporation. Headquartered in Brookston, Indiana, TDS is a leading designer and manufacturer of hydraulically powered drive assist systems and steer axles for combines and on and off-highway vehicles, serving multiple end markets including agriculture, construction, commercial turf care, vocational trucks, and material handling.  The Company’s products provide drive assist for heavy vehicles to enhance productivity especially in poor traction conditions.  TDS provides innovative, high quality products and reliable, responsive customer service.  TDS has built a product portfolio that includes some of the strongest brands in its sectors, including the Mud Hog brand which is a recognized leader in the agriculture drive assist market and the EZ Trac brand focused on drive assist systems in the vocational truck market (named #1 Innovative Product in 2011 by OEM Off Highway Magazine).