CHICAGO, IL – XLCS Partners, Inc., an independent investment banking firm providing M&A advisory, capital raising, and debt advisory services, is pleased to announce that its client, Steel & O’Brien Manufacturing (S&O), has been recapitalized by JZ Partners, Edgewater Funds, and members of the Company’s senior management team.

Founded in 1990, S&O is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Sanitary and Biopharmaceutical (BPE) stainless steel fittings, valves, and tubing primarily for the food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries where sterility and cleanliness are required. Based in Arcade, New York, S&O is the only supplier in North America which stocks a full catalog of both Sanitary and BPE fittings and has full CNC machining and fabrication capabilities.

JZ Partners, LLC is a private equity firm based in Chicago and New York. JZ Partners advises the private investment activity of JZ Capital Partners Limited, a closed-end fund, founded in 1986, with more than $1 billion of assets under management. JZ Capital is one of the oldest closed-end investment companies listed on the London Stock exchange.

The Edgewater Funds is a Chicago, Illinois based private equity firm with over $2.7 billion of capital commitments raised since 2001. JZ Partners and Edgewater have partnered on investments for more than 15 years, having completed more than 80 transactions together across ten buy-and-build platforms over this time. The firms are focused on partnering with strong management teams of high-quality middle market companies, and adding value through operational, functional and M&A experience.

“We selected Joe Contaldo and the XLCS team for their impressive track record and level of service provided,” said Bryan Wells, President of Steel & O’Brien. “They had great passion for their business, which gave me great confidence in their ability to convey that same enthusiasm for our company.”

XLCS Partners acted as the exclusive advisor to S&O and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner. The transaction was completed November 21, 2018.

About XLCS Partners

XLCS Partners, Inc. is an independent investment banking firm that provides M&A advisory, capital raising and debt advisory for select clients globally. Middle market companies and private equity funds rely on our creative solutions, thoughtful insight and truthful advice when considering exiting their companies, making strategic acquisitions, partnering with private equity sponsors and raising debt or equity capital.