XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive advisor to Sentry Aerospace Corporation in its merger with Aerospares 2000 Limited, an Acorn Growth Company.

Based in Morganville, New Jersey, Sentry is a leading global aftermarket supplier of commercial aircraft spare parts covering a full range of AOG components, including avionics, escape slides, life rafts, and ram air turbines for all major commercial aviation platforms. Sentry was founded in 1975 by Tony DiSimone, Sr. who will serve as Executive Chairman of the combined company.

Headquartered in Greater London, England, Aerospares specializes in identifying, procuring, and stocking the most demanded and hard-to-find rotables for the latest generation aircraft platforms, with a focus on minimum equipment list parts that are ready to ship 24/7.

The combination of Aerospares and Sentry creates a leading independent stocking distributor of high value, hard-to-find commercial aircraft rotable components with global reach and some of the broadest and deepest customer and vendor relationships in the industry. Further, the company has tremendous financial flexibility and access to capital to support its customers’ aircraft material needs as the global aviation market continues its strong recovery.

Acorn Growth Companies, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a middle market private equity firm investing exclusively in Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, and Space opportunities. Acorn invests solely in businesses that enhance global mobility and strengthen national security. This transaction represents Acorn’s first investment in its recently raised fifth investment fund.

“We were extremely impressed with the guidance provided to us by Joe Contaldo and the XLCS team throughout each phase of the process,” said Chris DiSimone, Sentry CFO. “His desire to understand our personal goals, along with knowledge of our business and the key players in the aerospace industry, were vital to the success of this deal. Joe was there every step of the way and we truly believe found the perfect fit in Aerospares 2000.”

“Sentry and Aerospares together are a powerful combination and we are very excited to see what the future holds,” said Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’ Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “We are also very grateful to the DiSimone family for letting us play a small role in the great history of Sentry Aerospace.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Sentry and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo. The transaction was completed on June 30, 2022.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.
XLCS Partners is an investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services to select clients globally. More information is available at www.xlcspartners.com.

XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce it served as exclusive advisor to CyberGuard Compliance, LLP (CGC) on its sale of assets to Atlantic Street Capital (ASC).

Founded in 2009, CGC is a one-stop provider of non-discretionary IT compliance and cybersecurity solutions including SOC, HITRUST™, and PCI audits; vulnerability assessments; penetration testing; and other compliance/cybersecurity services for companies ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Unlike many competitors, CGC is exclusively focused on IT-compliance and cybersecurity audits, assessments, and related services.

ASC is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle market companies poised for the next level of growth. The firm targets entrepreneurial management partners and fundamentally sound companies between $4 million and $25 million of EBITDA that will benefit from capital investment and ASC’s value-added strategic and operational support. As a result, ASC works closely with management to unlock their business’ underlying value and help them succeed.

“The XLCS team, led by Anthony Contaldo, was extremely responsive to our needs and very professional with all key stakeholders involved in the transaction,” commented Jim Jimenez, CGC Managing Partner.

“Given the attractiveness of CGC, we knew we had to engage the right investment banking partner to navigate the incredible interest shown from potential investors,” said Tim Roncevich, CGC Managing Partner. “XLCS proved to be a fantastic partner to CGC, allowing us to find the right private equity firm to accelerate growth into the future.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to CGC and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner. The transaction was completed June 13, 2022.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.
XLCS Partners is an investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services to select clients globally. More information is available at www.xlcspartners.com.