NEW YORK – September 23, 2015 – CM Equity Partners (“CMEP”), in partnership with management, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Graco Supply & Integrated Services (“Graco”).

Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Graco is a leading value-added distributor of chemicals, specialty materials, consumables and related services to the aerospace and defense industries.  Graco’s extensive product line card consists of paints and other coatings, sealants, adhesives, surface treatments, composite materials and other shop consumables used in the manufacture and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of commercial, business and military aircraft.  Graco also provides value-added services including custom repackaging, temperature-sensitive material handling, tinting and supply chain management capabilities.

“We are excited about Graco’s growth prospects given that it serves both the manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul segments of the commercial, business and military aviation markets, all of which are enjoying strong growth,” said Peter Schulte, Managing Partner of CMEP.

Mark Carmen, Managing Partner of CMEP, added, “We are fortunate to partner with a strong management team at Graco led by Stephen Novakovich, CEO, and Jeffrey Hazelrigg, CFO.”

About CM Equity Partners

CMEP is a private equity firm focused primarily on the federal services and aerospace and defense industries, and also invests in the specialty industrial and business services sectors.  Since its founding in 1992, CMEP has made more than 60 acquisitions and investments and has been responsible for managing nearly $500 million of equity investments and raising nearly $1.1 billion in debt.  CMEP’s team brings an active and collaborative management approach to its investments by partnering with management teams, developing long-term strategic plans and supporting re-investment of profits to grow and broaden a company’s revenue base and capabilities. Additional information about CMEP is available at www.cmequity.com.

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.