LAKE FOREST, CA – November 2, 2017 – AC&A Enterprises, LLC, (“AC&A”), a leading
supplier of composite and metallic parts in the aerospace, defense, space, and specialty
automobile markets, announced today that it has acquired Applied Composites Engineering, Inc.
(ACE), a leader in advanced composites engineering and manufacturing for aerospace and
defense applications. Terms of the transaction – which closed November 1, 2017 – were not
disclosed. AC&A is a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners, LLC (“AEI”), a private
equity investor specializing in aerospace, power generation, and specialty industrial companies.
Located in Indianapolis, Indiana ACE provides advanced composites solutions to many of the
most well-known aerospace and defense original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“ACE is a perfect fit with AC&A, combining our complementary set of composites engineering
and manufacturing capabilities,” said Leigh Sargent, President of ACE. “As part of AC&A, and
backed by AEI’s deep industry experience and financial resources, we will be able to provide
even greater value to our customers and significantly increase our growth.”
“AC&A has accelerated its investments in growth through our partnership with AEI, including
facility expansions, new equipment and now strategic acquisitions,” said Justin Uchida, CEO of
AC&A. “We are excited about the ACE acquisition which will expand our capabilities, enable us
to better serve our customers and greatly enhance our competitive market position.”
“Advanced composites represent a large and growing opportunity within AEI’s target markets,”
said Jon Nemo, Partner of AEI. “We are building a unique composites platform with strong
leadership, scale and highly specialized engineering, design and manufacturing capabilities
designed to serve our diverse and growing set of customers. We expect to continue to build this
platform organically and through additional highly strategic acquisitions.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as
financial advisor to AE Industrial Partners. John Rowell of Aaron, Bell International* acted as
ACE’s exclusive M&A advisor.
About ACE
Applied Composites Engineering (ACE), based in Indianapolis, IN is a leader in aerospace
composites engineering and manufacturing providing advanced composites technologies and
solutions to some of the largest and most well-known aerospace and defense organizations in the
world. ACE is recognized for its collaboration with customers to deliver innovative, high-tech
composites solutions, supported by the relentless pursuit of excellence. For more information,
please visit www.appliedcomposites.com.
About AC&A
AC&A, based in Lake Forest, CA and acquired by AEI in 2016, is a leading provider of
composite and metallic parts and tooling to the aerospace, defense, space and specialty
automobile markets with exceptional carbon composite capabilities. AC&A is highly proficient
in both tool generation and component part manufacturing for its core markets as well as
emerging, high-growth end markets such as space and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With a
reputation for producing solutions for difficult-to-manufacture parts, AC&A continues to grow
its list of blue-chip customers in its key markets. For more information, please visit
www.acamfg.com
About AE Industrial Partners
AE Industrial Partners is a leading private equity firm specializing in control-oriented
investments in aerospace, power generation, and specialty industrial businesses. AEI invests in
market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep operating experience, industry
knowledge, and relationships. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.
* Securities transactions conducted through StillPoint Capital LLC (Tampa, FL), member FINRA / SIPC Aaron, Bell International is not affiliated with StillPoint Capital, LLC, however, members of Aaron, Bell International are registered representatives of StillPoint.
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