XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce it served as exclusive advisor to Blind & Sons on its sale to Heartland Home Services, a portfolio company of North Branch Capital.

Based in Northeast Ohio, Blind & Sons specializes in providing total home comfort, offering heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electric, and indoor air quality services. The Company was originally established in 1937 by John W. Blind to offer coal furnaces and gas conversion burners and has continually grown through repeat customers and customer referrals.

Headquartered in Macomb, Michigan, Heartland Home Services is a leading provider of non-discretionary, residential HVAC replacement and maintenance, plumbing, and electrical services. The company services homeowners in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. This is Heartland’s fifth strategic acquisition since North Branch Capital became the majority shareholder in November 2017. North Branch Capital is a lower middle market private equity firm, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, with a long history of investing alongside and partnering with management teams in industrial businesses.

“The Blind & Sons owners and management team have built an exceptional business, and the strategic and cultural fit with Heartland and North Branch Capital was immediately evident,” said Anthony Contaldo, Partner of XLCS Partners. “We are excited to track their mutual success in the future.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Blind & Sons and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo. Completed on June 30, 2020, this transaction marks the eleventh facility and home services industry transaction for XLCS Partners, having previously completed several residential and commercial HVAC, plumbing, and building maintenance transactions.

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 Metal Finishing Technologies, LLC (MFT) in its recapitalization by Battle Investment Group.

MFT, based in Bristol, Connecticut, provides finishing and coating solutions for high-precision metal components utilized in aerospace engines and industrial equipment, serving third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul centers, as well as original equipment manufacturers. The Company holds numerous quality and customer certifications, including ISO 9001, AS9100-D, FAA and EASA Part-145 repair facility, and NADCAP for chemical processing.

Battle Investment Group is an Atlanta-based private investment firm that seeks to support the long-term expansion and success of enterprises and management teams operating in the North American defense/government, aerospace, industrial, and telecommunications marketplaces.

Peter Mirabello, MFT’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Joe Contaldo and the XLCS team were professional and easy to work with. They set very accurate expectations of the process and timing and we were very pleased with how accurately they presented our business.”  He added, “the ultimate testament is that we could not be more pleased with our new partnership and our fortified position going forward.”

MFT’s experienced management team will remain with the Company under Mirabello’s continued leadership.

“We are excited for MFT’s future and look forward to a long-term relationship with Peter and his team,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “This transaction strengthens our position as one of the most active aerospace investment banking firms in the country and continues to deepen our OEM and defense expertise.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to MFT and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. The transaction was completed June 30, 2020.

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 TAG Aero in a merger with Unique Airmotive Services, facilitated by Mill Hill Capital.

UAS Holdings Company, LLC has been formed as the parent company and migrates both facilities under one brand, TAG Aero. The combined companies will bring together a leading APU repair station with capabilities reaching 20,000 aircrafts worldwide.

TAG Aero, founded in 2012 and based in Winter Garden, Florida, specializes in the purchase, sale, and lease of all APU models for commercial and regional aircrafts. In 2018, TAG Aero acquired FAA/EASA 145 repair station certification for the repair and overhaul of the GTCP131-9A and GTCP131-9B APU.

Unique Airmotive Services, located in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, has specialized in the repair and overhaul of APUs since 2011 and has in-house capabilities for the GTCP331-200ER, GTCP331-250H, GTCP36-150 Series, GTCP85 Series, and the APS2000.

Based in Naples, Florida, Mill Hill Capital is a private investment firm focused on acquisitions, recapitalizations, and founder liquidity events for middle market companies. Mill Hill’s team spans fifty years of investing and operational experience in aviation, aerospace, automotive, building products, medical products, and distribution.

“We are thrilled to play a role in creating one of the most exciting and fastest growing APU companies in the world,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “Advising both companies, UAS in November and TAG in March, is a testament to our deep relationships and coverage across the aerospace industry.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to TAG Aero and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo and Jay Cremer, Senior Associate. The transaction was completed March 27, 2020.

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 that it served as exclusive advisor to Trident Building Systems, Inc. (Trident) in its acquisition by Behlen Building Systems.

Founded in 1986, Trident is a full-service provider of pre-engineered metal buildings, structural fabrications, and metal roof systems. The Company provides metal building solutions for a diverse group of industries including aviation, marine, education, health care, commercial, and the military sector. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, Trident is a one-stop shop for building specialized projects and working with customers to provide best-in-class service.

Based in Columbus, Nebraska, Behlen Building Systems is one of three distinct operating segments in the wider Behlen Manufacturing Company. Behlen Building Systems specializes in pre-engineering metal buildings, and was the first metal building manufacturer in the United States to achieve the International AC472 Accreditation. Since 1936, the Company has manufactured and constructed frame buildings, rural farms, Eagle span designs, S-span designs and actively retrofits existing structures.

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Trident and the transaction was led by Brian Ytterberg, Managing Director. The transaction was completed on February 7, 2020.

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 Nortech Packaging and Tishma Technologies in sale to Intertape Polymer Group, Inc. (IPG).

Schaumburg, Illinois based Nortech manufactures, assembles and services automated packaging machines under the Nortech Packaging and Tishma Technologies brands. Its custom-infeed and robotic solutions for packaging applications are designed for cartoning, case-packing, case-erecting, pouch-packaging and palletizing. Founded in 2001, the Company services customers worldwide across major industries including food, pharmaceutical, e-commerce, confections, personal care and cosmetics, and beverage.

IPG (TSX:ITP) is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of paper- and film- based pressure sensitive and water-activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin films, protective packaging, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec and Sarasota, Florida, IPG employs approximately 3,600 employees with operations in 30 locations, including 21 manufacturing facilities in North America, four in Asia and one in Europe.

The acquisition will expand IPG’s product bundle into technologies that are increasingly critical to automation in packaging. With an installed fleet of more than 400 machines, the acquisition provides IPG with opportunities to supply consumables to the existing fleet, as well as deploy system-selling for new customers combining machines with ongoing consumables. The acquisition will add engineering automation and integrated robotic design talent to IPG’s existing engineering and design teams. Upon closing, IPG expects these new capabilities will allow it to service customers experiencing growth pressures that require a customized automation solution.

“Anthony Contaldo’s in-depth understanding of our business combined with the firm’s streamlined process, marketing efforts, and packaging sector knowledge produced excellent results,” said David Showman, Nortech Packaging and Tishma Technologies President. “We are very excited about the future and greatly appreciate the guidance and hard work of the XLCS team.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Nortech Packaging and Tishma Technologies and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Packaging Industry Practice Group. The transaction was completed February 11, 2020.

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 that it served as exclusive advisor to MEDEFAB in its acquisition by Molded Devices, Inc. (MDI).

Headquartered in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, MEDEFAB is a full-service OEM manufacturer of plastic medical devices and components with a focus on single-use, procedure-based disposable devices. The Company’s customers include many leading medical device companies. The Company offers manufacturing from a basic tube to a complete range of secondary operations, including injection molding, tube extrusion, assembly, pad printing, insert molding, over-molding, heat shrink marker bands, stainless-steel stylets, packaging, and sterilization.

Based in Tempe, Arizona, MDI is an industry leader in plastics processing with process offerings including plastic dip molding, dip coating, rubber dip molding, custom plastic injection molding, thin-wall blow molding, extrusion, rapid prototyping, and numerous value added services including decorating and assembly. Since 1963, the Company has continued to expand and redefine its operations through organic growth and key acquisitions to become a premier, world class rubber and plastic contract manufacturer to the global OEM marketplace. MDI operates from 11 manufacturing facilities strategically located across the United States and Mexico.

“We are extremely happy for Tom and the MEDEFAB team. We truly believe they found the perfect partner to take the Company into the future,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner of XLCS Partners. “The healthcare sector continues to be an area of focus for our firm as we plan the launch of a new Nashville office and add additional professionals with deep industry experience.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to MEDEFAB and the transaction was led by Brian Ytterberg, Managing Director. The transaction was completed January 20, 2020.

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 that it served as exclusive advisor to First Class Air Support, Inc. (FCAS) and Cargo Repair, LLC in its sale to O2 Investment Partners, LLC.

FCAS and Cargo Repair are both headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky with additional facilities in Florida, California, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. FCAS is a leader in the aerospace aftermarket and a premier supplier of components to the global cargo aviation industry. Cargo Repair, is an FAA and EASA 145 certified repair station specializing in the repair and overhaul of cargo loading systems and components.

Isac Roths, Founder of both companies remains a significant shareholder and will continue to lead the organization as President and CEO.

“Thanks to Joe Contaldo and his team at XLCS, we have a great new partnership with O2,” said Isac Roths. “XLCS sought a strategic partner that would help facilitate our growth and expansion plans. Joe’s leadership throughout the process brought us the best possible outcome. We look forward to our new partnership.”

“Partnering with well-known, highly respected global aerospace leaders is what we do best, and we love every second of it,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS Partners’ Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “Our team is growing, our reach expanding, and our process is leading to extraordinary outcomes for our clients.”

O2 Investment Partners is a Midwestern based private equity firm that seeks to acquire majority interests in lower middle market B2B services, technology, and select niche industrial companies. The firm invests in businesses with earnings growth potential and a clear path to the creation of shareholder value. O2 invests with a view toward partnering with management to build and grow the business and take it to its next stage of development. This requires not only a clear vision and strategic plan to create shareholder value, but a close partnership and alignment of interest with management.

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to FCAS and Cargo Repair and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. The transaction was completed on January 28, 2020.

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 Unique Airmotive Services (UAS) in its sale to Mill Hill Capital.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Clover, South Carolina, UAS is a market leading maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) solutions provider focused on auxiliary power units (APUs) and the sale of related accessories to the global aviation industry.  UAS has quickly grown to become a trusted MRO provider for airlines and freight operators, serving a global customer base.

“Given recent strong growth and industry tailwinds, we needed a trusted investment banking team who could help us navigate our strategic alternatives,” explained Karl Brown, UAS’ Chairman. “We turned to XLCS because of their depth of knowledge in aerospace and aviation, deep industry relationships with the most aggressive buyers, and their relentless focus on client service. The team at XLCS Partners was instrumental in positioning the business for a successful outcome.”

UAS President, Roger Brochu, added, “XLCS delivered flawlessly on the sale process, earning the entire management team’s confidence and trust.  We feel like we made new friends for years to come, while also achieving all of our goals for the business, including positioning UAS for strong future growth.”

Based out of Naples, Florida, Mill Hill Capital is a private investment firm focused on acquisitions, recapitalizations, and founder liquidity events for middle market companies. Mill Hill’s team spans fifty years of investing and operational experience in aviation, aerospace, automotive, building products, medical products, and distribution.

“This transaction further demonstrates XLCS Partners’ position as the industry leader for advising high growth aerospace companies,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “Our track record and commitment to the sector uniquely positions us an ideal partner for companies seeking the best M&A advice.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to UAS and the transaction was completed December 16, 2019.

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 that it served as exclusive advisor to Silipint in its sale to E&A Companies.

Silipint, headquartered in Bend, Oregon is the originator of silicone drinkware and has developed a line of patented products including pint glasses, bombers and wine glasses. Silipint’s eco-friendly products are tested to the highest standards and the durable nature of silicone makes the products resistant to breaking, cracking, fading, or scratching. From the patio to the campground, beach vacation or daily commute, these colorful, versatile drinking glasses are as flexible in shape as they are in utility. Silipint aims to put a silicone drinking cup, bowl, and straw in every household near and far, and provide unbreakable joy along the way.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, E&A Companies is a private investment firm with a successful history of working alongside entrepreneurs to help companies reach their true potential. E&A differentiates from other investment groups by working daily with company leaders to help take the business to the next level with a focus on long-term value creation.

Rick Fredland, Silipint’s Founder, will continue to lead the company and remains a significant shareholder.

“Rick and his team have built a fantastic business centered around a great product and a company culture that is truly unique,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner of XLCS Partners. “We had a blast working with Rick and value our continued friendship. The sky’s the limit for Silipint and we are excited to see where it goes with E&A’s consumer product expertise and resources.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Silipint and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner and Jay Cremer, Senior Associate. The transaction was completed December 9, 2019.

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.