Tinicum invests in aerospace materials distributor GracoRoberts
The private equity firm is backing the Texas distributor, with management retaining a significant stake and deal terms undisclosed.
By Marcus V. Thorne · Markets Editor
· 2 min read
Tinicum has invested in GracoRoberts, an Arlington, Texas-based distributor of specialty chemicals and advanced composite materials serving aerospace and defense customers, PE Hub reported. Financial terms were not disclosed, leaving the transaction’s valuation, leverage profile and ownership split unspecified.
The deal shifts GracoRoberts from its previous private equity backer, CM Equity Partners, to Tinicum, according to PE Hub. GracoRoberts’ management team will keep a significant ownership position and continue to run the company.
GracoRoberts supplies specialty chemical products and advanced composite materials used by aerospace and defense customers, according to PE Hub. The company also offers a defense logistics and compliance program that provides end-to-end supply chain management for military operations.
Distribution businesses in aerospace and defense sit between manufacturers and end users, managing product availability, technical requirements and compliance obligations across demanding supply chains. In this case, PE Hub reported that GracoRoberts works with material manufacturers and serves customers that require chemicals, composites and related logistics support for regulated applications.
Jason Caldwell serves as chief executive of GracoRoberts, according to PE Hub. The continued role of the management team means Tinicum is backing an existing operating leadership group rather than installing a new one at closing.
Tinicum partner Erik Blumenkranz said the firm admired the company built by the GracoRoberts team, pointing to its technical depth, customer service and relationships with leading material manufacturers, according to PE Hub.
The transaction adds to private equity activity around aerospace and defense suppliers, a field where investors often focus on companies with specialized products, compliance capabilities and relationships across critical supply chains. PE Hub did not report the size of Tinicum’s investment or whether the transaction represented a majority or minority stake.
Advisers were also named in the report. Harris Williams acted as exclusive financial adviser to GracoRoberts and CM Equity Partners, while Holland & Knight LLP provided legal counsel to GracoRoberts and CM Equity Partners. Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Tinicum.
The absence of disclosed financial terms limits external assessment of the transaction’s valuation. The confirmed terms show a sponsor transition, continuing management ownership and a new private equity backer for a distributor tied to aerospace, defense, specialty chemicals and advanced composite materials.
This story draws on original reporting from PE Hub.
