A Chicago private-equity firm has consolidated several of its investments in the troubled automotive sector and set up the combined company’s headquarters in Nashville.

Wynnchurch Capital, which manages about $500 million, has combined Brentwood-based Centrum Equities, which it recapitalized earlier this summer, with many of the assets of Proliance International into Vista-Pro Automotive. Through Centrum, Wynnchurch acquired the latter in bankruptcy court last week for $21.5 million.

Jennifer Christensen, marketing director at Wynnchurch, said the company has leased space at Two Lakeview Place in Century City, where some 50 people are now based. Overall, Vista-Pro employs about 450. Christensen declined to disclose the company's revenue run rate, but did say Wynnchurch may acquire other suppliers.

Vista-Pro is positioning itself as “the leading North American designer, manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket radiators, heater cores and condensers.” It also will remanufacture other auto parts, including steering systems and alternators.

Roger Brown, the former head of Centrum, will be CEO of Vista-Pro. He co-invested in the formation of Vista-Pro along with Chicago-based investor John McClinden. The Private Bank also provided debt financing.

“Our entire team is extremely excited about the creation of this new company, which will provide OE quality and Best-in-Class product support and service to our customers,” Brown said. “By joining forces as one, Vista-Pro Automotive will become a market leader in product offerings, reliability, response, and technical and product support.”

What is now Vista-Pro started taking shape about 18 months ago, when Centrum bought aftermarket assets based in Sparta, Tenn., from Visteon Corp., the former Ford Motor subsidiary – and erstwhile owner of the Ford glass plant in Nashville – that is now working its way through bankruptcy. Vista-Pro also runs distribution centers in Southaven, Miss., and Reno, Nev.