XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce it served as advisor to Vertex Service Partners, a Residential Home Improvement Services Platform backed by Alpine Investors, on its investment in Kairos Roofing, a premier South Florida-based residential roofing company.

Kairos Roofing offers a range of services, including roof repair, replacement, leak detection, hurricane strap installation, insulation, ventilation, maintenance programs, and custom sheet metal fabrication. Founded by Zachary Wallick, a third-generation roofer with over 15 years of experience, Kairos Roofing is known for its expertise in the roofing industry.

Vertex Service Partners, an investment platform backed by Alpine Investors, is focused on becoming the preferred partner for founders, operators, employees, and homeowners. With operations now in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, Vertex actively seeks new partnerships nationwide. The company specializes in acquiring and growing residential home improvement services, with a focus on roofing and exterior services.

In the past two months, Vertex successfully invested in six new partner businesses, bringing the total acquisitions to 11 since its launch in March 2023.

The transaction with Kairos Roofing was completed on November 8, 2023, led by Johnny Sebastian, XLCS Associate, and Anthony Contaldo, XLCS Partner.

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 M&A advisor to Aviation Concepts, Inc. (“ACI”) on an investment from CORE Industrial Partners.

Based in Sunrise, Florida, ACI is a provider of mission-critical, aircraft parts and components for the commercial aviation industry. Founded in 1991, ACI offers high-quality, nose-to-tail used serviceable material (“USM”) with applications across a variety of aircraft fleets. The company provides quality products, high-level customer service and proven reliability to its global customer base of commercial and freight airlines, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (“MRO”) organizations and distributors via its broad product portfolio.

Jason Fulton, Partner at CORE, said, “ACI is a niche player in a highly attractive industry that has differentiated itself with its strong customer relationships and diverse suite of products. We are excited to partner with Dean and the entire ACI team as we leverage our industry knowledge, resources, and experience to help expedite the company’s next stage of growth, expanding its value proposition and market reach through both strategic initiatives and complementary acquisitions.”

CORE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm with over $700 million of capital commitments investing in North American lower middle-market manufacturing, industrial technology, and industrial services businesses with offices in Chicago, Austin, and Cleveland.

Bob Nardelli, Senior Operating Partner at CORE, will become Chairman of the ACI Board of Directors.

“XLCS was an invaluable advisor throughout our journey,” shared Dean Wood, ACI President & CEO. “They introduced us to numerous strategic and equity players specifically focused on our space – all intent to help us execute our growth plan, diversify our service offerings, and expand our platform. At every step, especially through the diligence phase and leading up to closing, our team agrees, we could never have done it without their expert guidance.”

“Dean and his team have built a fantastic platform that is well positioned for continued growth and M&A,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of A&D at XLCS Partners. “It was a pleasure to work with him and the ACI team. This transaction is also a prime example of the growing excitement private equity firms have for the industry, and more specifically USM & MRO businesses.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to ACI and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner; Reed McMahon, Associate; and Johnny Sebastian, Associate. The transaction was completed on January 10, 2024.

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 Hi-Q Fasteners (Hi-Q) on its sale to LindFast Solutions Group (LSG), a portfolio company of Nautic Partners.

Based in Santa Fe Springs, California, Hi-Q offers a complete line of sems, thread forming and machine screws (inch, metric, steel, and stainless), in addition to a full line of spacers and standoffs and self-clinching hardware.

Headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota, LSG is the leading high-touch master distributor of specialty fasteners in the North American market and is a vital supply chain partner and superior sourcing solution to a broad base of distribution customers through its several product brands such as Lindstrom, Stelfast, Mega, Solution Industries, and more.

Nautic Partners, a Providence, Rhode Island-based middle-market private equity firm, acquired LSG in 2019 in partnership with management.

“We are excited for the opportunity to learn from Hi-Q and expand their capabilities while they can now leverage the significant supply chain capabilities and distribution network that LSG offers,” said LSG CEO Bill Niketas. “We think this combination is very powerful and will be a benefit for our customers, suppliers, employees, and others.”

“From the initial conversation we knew that Hi-Q and LindFast were a strategic and cultural match,” stated Anthony Contaldo, Partner at XLCS. “The process was very smooth and resulted in a great outcome for all.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Hi-Q and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner. The transaction was completed December 27, 2023, and marks the firm’s eighteenth fastener and industrial distribution transaction.

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 Salt River Aviation, LLC in its recapitalization by Weinberg Capital Group (WCG).

Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Salt River Aviation is a niche provider of Auxiliary Power Units (“APUs”), APU teardown and disassembly services, APU subcomponents, and other airframe components. The company is known across the industry as “APU experts”, providing the highest quality APUs & APU subcomponents. Salt River Aviation targets some of the largest commercial aircraft platforms today, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.

WCG invests in middle market companies located throughout the U.S. The firm’s current portfolio covers a broad range of industries including consumer products, manufacturing, business services, and value-added distribution.

“We look forward to partnering with Greg and Annie Crill and their talented team,” stated Chip Weinberg, Managing Partner at WCG. “The company has a strong track record of success, and we intend to continue this tradition by investing in continued growth while maintaining its reputation for customer service and delivery.”

“We are very excited and proud to have the opportunity to partner with WCG to continue our growth plans,” said Greg Crill, Salt River Aviation’s CEO. “With their experience and resources, we anticipate a long-lasting partnership. More importantly, from the perspective of our customer and partners, this transaction will be seamless as our entire team will stay in place as we look to enhance our business.”

“We are thrilled to have played a role in the history of Salt River Aviation and are excited for its next chapter of growth,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner at XLCS Partners. “As XLCS continues to strengthen its coverage of the global aerospace industry, we are seeing exciting things across the MRO and USM (Used Serviceable Material) landscape, including increased private equity interest in USM businesses.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Salt River Aviation and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner and Reed McMahon, Associate. The transaction was completed on December 18, 2023.

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 advisor to Trilon Group, a family of infrastructure consulting businesses backed by Alpine Investors, on its strategic growth partnership with Fehr Graham.

Founded in 1973, Fehr Graham is an Illinois-based leading provider of engineering and environmental consulting services to public and private entities throughout the Midwest. The partnership gives Fehr Graham additional capital and resources to expand its services and better serve clients.

Fehr Graham selected Trilon Group, which is backed by people-driven equity firm Alpine Investors, because of the company’s vision to build the next Top 20 design firm in North America. Trilon is doing that by bringing together the nation’s best infrastructure consulting firms like Fehr Graham. Trilon will support Fehr Graham to accelerate the growth and careers of its employees with additional investment in talent, technology, and targeted mergers and acquisitions.

Within Trilon, Fehr Graham will play a critical role in expanding the capabilities and reach of Trilon Midwest, which focuses on environmental, transportation, water, and community infrastructure projects.

In January 2022, XLCS represented Trilon Group in its first platform, Waggoner Engineering.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Fehr Graham and complete another transaction with Anthony Contaldo and the XLCS team,” shared Patrick Eble of Alpine Investors. “Anthony and team are not only a pleasure to work with but have also been critical to the successes of both Trilon Group and Alpine Investors. We highly value people at our organization and Anthony rises to the top of the list of the highest quality individuals we’ve interacted with in this industry. We look forward to the continued partnership.”

The transaction was completed on May 15, 2023, and was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner of XLCS.

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 White Distribution & Supply, LLC (WDS), a portfolio company of Slate Capital Group, on its sale to AFC Industries (AFC), a portfolio company of Bertram Capital.

Founded in 1984 and based in Muscatine, Iowa, WDS provides a broad range of products, inventory management, and LEAN solutions to customers who are themselves leaders in their respective markets. The company supplies production fasteners, packaging, adhesives, safety products, production consumables, MRO items, and more for their customers with 12 nationwide locations.

XLCS represented WDS in 2016 in its acquisition by Slate Capital Group, a private equity investment group based in Baltimore, Nashville, and Cincinnati, that partners with lower-middle market companies.

Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, AFC Industries is a dynamic organization dedicated to providing supply chain management solutions on small components and tooling for a diverse base of manufacturers and assemblers across a broad range of industries. Through its experienced team and global resources, AFC excels at making customer manufacturing and assembly processes more efficient and cost-effective.

“This is our third completed transaction with XLCS,” shared Erik Ginsberg, Slate Capital Group Managing Partner. “We chose them to advise us on WDS due to their deep expertise in the fastener industry coupled with their well-executed process from start to finish. We are thrilled at the outcome.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to WDS, and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner and Matt Crabtree, Senior Associate. The transaction was completed June 1, 2023.

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 Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales, Inc. (AAMSI) in its sale to First Aviation Services Inc. (First Aviation).

Founded in 1953, AAMSI manufactures a variety of aircraft parts and provides repair and overhaul services for aircraft electronics, avionics, hydraulic and landing gear components. AAMSI has a proven track record supporting the global defense industry, including both United States and foreign militaries, as well as several of the industry’s largest OEMs. AAMSI holds over 120 manufacturing and repair source approvals from the U.S. Department of Defense. The company is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

First Aviation, headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, is a leading provider of aircraft parts manufacturing, component repair and overhaul, and rotables management to the aviation industry worldwide. First Aviation’s principal operating subsidiaries are: Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc., Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales, Inc., Aviation Blade Services, Inc., Evōlution Aerospace, Inc., Master Support, Inc., Heliblade International, LLC, and Piedmont Propulsion Systems, LLC. Together, the companies repair and overhaul aircraft landing gear systems, helicopter rotor blades, actuation systems, structures, IFF systems, lighting, power supplies, oxygen and fire suppression systems, hydrostatic testing, crew masks, and all Dowty, Hamilton, Hartzell, and McCauley propellers.

“It was a pleasure to work with both the AAMSI and First Aviation teams on a seamless transaction,” stated Joe Contaldo, Partner and Head of XLCS’ Aerospace & Defense Practice Group. “Our firm continues to move deeper and deeper into the defense and government sector and this transaction aligns perfectly with our mission.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to AAMSI and the transaction was led by Joe Contaldo, Partner and Eric Schoendorf, Senior Associate. The transaction was completed on November 22, 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 advisor to Trilon Group, an engineering services platform of Alpine Investors, on its partnership with Waggoner Engineering.

Waggoner Engineering, a Mississippi-based engineering services firm, is Trilon’s first platform partnership and will continue to operate independently under the Waggoner brand. Waggoner, founded in 1976, is a civil engineering firm with a passion for helping communities realize their full potential. Today, Waggoner has expanded to 12 offices in five states and is recognized for its innovative, multi-disciplinary services that make it much more than a traditional engineering firm. Waggoner CEO, Emad Al-Turk, will remain President and CEO of Waggoner and will join the Trilon Executive Committee.

Trilon was formed with the vision of building the next Top 20 design firm in North America by partnering with a comprehensive family of infrastructure consulting firms focused on delivering practical and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Trilon will partner with like-minded infrastructure consulting firms across the nation and aims to accelerate their growth through investment in talent, technology, and targeted M&A. Trilon’s key markets include Transportation, Water, Energy, Environment, and Community Infrastructure.

San Francisco, California based Alpine Investors plans to invest additional equity capital to fund the organic and inorganic growth of Trilon. In partnership with Alpine’s in-house talent program, Trilon will focus on cultivating a culture that provides opportunities for its employees to quickly expand their purposeful careers.

“Waggoner is the Trilon Group’s first partnership and we couldn’t be more excited to have such a high-quality firm provide the backbone for launching our platform,” said Patrick Eble of Alpine. “Our strategy is to attract quality firms to join the Trilon family by providing real opportunities for them to grow their businesses and the careers of their staff. Partnering with great firms like Waggoner allows us to achieve our goal of being the next top 20 design firm in North America in the coming years.”

The transaction was completed on January 26, 2022 and was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner of XLCS.

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.