Graham Partners has acquired Acme Cryogenics from publicly traded Gladstone Investment Corporation. Gladstone acquired a majority equity interest in the company in December 2006.
Acme Cryogenics is a manufacturer of products and a provider of field services used in the production, distribution, and storage of cryogenic (extremely low temperature) liquids and industrial gases. Acme’s customers operate in the healthcare, food and beverage, aerospace, and general manufacturing sectors. The company has a leading or second market position within each of its specialty gas products niches. Acme is based in Allentown, PA (www.acmecryo.com).
According to Graham, Acme is positioned for growth as a result of an ongoing industry conversion to outsourcing of equipment and service needs by large industrial gas companies. Pre-closing, Graham identified several areas to create shareholder value including specific add-on acquisitions to expand into adjacent markets and implementing operational improvements. Joshua Wilson, a Managing Principal at Graham, leads the investment in Acme.
Graham Partners acquires companies with EBITDA between $5 million and $50 million and will invest in smaller companies as add-on acquisitions to existing portfolio companies. The firm is sponsored by the Graham Group, an industrial and investment concern with interests in plastics, packaging, machinery, building products and outsourced manufacturing. Graham Partners was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Philadelphia (www.grahampartners.net).
Gladstone is a publicly-traded business development company that makes debt and equity investments in US-based small to middle-market businesses. Target investments generally range from $5 million to $30 million in companies with over $3 million in EBITDA. Gladstone is based in McLean, VA with additional offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles (www.GladstoneInvestment.com).
No details were provided but Gladstone did realized a large gain on its equity investment in Acme Cryogenics.
© 2016 Private Equity Professional • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-28-16