CM Equity’s GracoRoberts Acquires Able Aerospace Adhesives to Expand International Footprint
ARLINGTON, Tex., January 6, 2021 – GracoRoberts today announced it closed the acquisition of Able Aerospace Adhesives on December 30, 2020 to extend its footprint in the international aerospace specialty chemicals market, most prominently in the Asia-Pacific Region. Additionally, the acquisition brings with it another 36 years of aerospace relationships and expertise, with an even deeper concentration in the military and MRO markets, amplifying the company’s already sound position as the largest and most specification-driven aerospace specialty chemicals distributor in North America.
The addition of 8-time Boeing Excellence award winner Able Aerospace Adhesives to the GracoRoberts’ portfolio means even more custom value-added services, coupled with the same intense focus on world- class quality to support the evolving needs of its customer and supplier partners. The introduction of RFID, more custom labeling capabilities, a sizeable increase in freezer storage capacity, international logistics and distribution expertise, and a team of tenured sales and service professionals all add tremendous value to the stakeholder experience.
“We are thrilled to have the customer-focused team from Able Aerospace Adhesives join the GracoRoberts’ family. Together we will offer a broader range of products and value-added services on a global scale,” said Jason Caldwell, President and CEO of GracoRoberts. “The Able customer base brings considerable international, MRO, and military focus to our aerospace business model, which nicely rounds out our existing leadership position in North America,” he continued.
Mukesh Desai, President of Able Aerospace Adhesives, also commented on the integration, and his decision to partner with GracoRoberts after more than three decades operating his own companies. “At Able Aerospace, we have developed a unique niche of international and military customers. By joining the GracoRoberts’ family, we can now provide a considerably larger platform of aerospace chemicals and services to our customer base. We are honored to be part of GracoRoberts.”
With nearly 30 years of experience providing growth capital to the aerospace, defense and federal services sectors, CM Equity Partners, the private equity sponsor of GracoRoberts, supports the acquisition, continuing a strong track record of growth and enabling GracoRoberts to better serve its customers and suppliers domestically and abroad. Over the next 30 days, the leaders of both companies will finalize and implement a transition plan to bring the two organizations together as one. Until the integration is complete, both groups’ customers and suppliers can expect business as usual.
About GracoRoberts Headquartered in Arlington, TX, GracoRoberts (www.gracoroberts.com) is the single largest and most technically focused specialty chemicals distributor to serve the North American aerospace market. We are a full-service supplier of complex engineered materials for aerospace OEM and MRO segments, composites, electronics, and other advanced manufacturing industries. We are fully AS- and ISO-certified and authorized to distribute 3M, Airtech, Akzo Nobel, Castrol, Eastman, Henkel, Hexcel, Huntsman, ITW Polymers, Mask-Off, Momentive, Resin Formulators, Scott Bader, Sika, and Zip Chem, and can source other providers upon request. We differentiate by adding value: services include For 140 years, GracoRoberts has delivered superior engineered materials with impeccable support to thousands of customers from more than 65 countries and all seven continents around the globe.
About Able Aerospace Adhesives Founded in 1984, Able Aerospace Adhesives (www.ableaero.com) is a global supplier of specialty aerospace chemicals and related products. Able Aerospace has an expertise in international and military customers with special requirements including temperature control and hazardous packaging. Able delivers the highest level of service and attention to detail to its global customer base. The company provides a unique combination of personalized service along with the capability to serve large customers. custom formulation, specialty packaging, vendor managed inventory, intermix paint services, turnkey classified program management, and an on-staff Chemist, lab, and testing facility.
About CM Equity Partners CM Equity Partners, based in New York, N.Y., provides capital to the Federal services and aerospace and defense industries. For nearly 30 years, CMEP has partnered with management teams to build value by leveraging its long-standing industry knowledge, relationships, operating experience, and its corporate finance, M&A and private equity expertise. CMEP provides an active and collaborative management approach to its investments, developing long-term strategic plans and supporting reinvestment of profits to grow and broaden a company’s revenue base and capabilities. CMEP’s investments are structured with flexibility across a broad spectrum of the capital structure, including equity, structured equity and mezzanine debt. CMEP is associated with Carl Marks & Co., a private family investment office with merchant banking activities dating to 1925. Additional information about Carl Marks & Co. is available at www.carlmarks.com.
