W.H. Smith Company, a portfolio company of JWI Capital, has acquired certain intellectual property and related assets from LaBarge Products, a designer and manufacturer of systems and components for expeditionary military operations. W.H. Smith was acquired by JWI Capital in April 2010 to serve as a platform to build and acquire other defense related companies.
W.H. Smith acquired the use of the LaBarge Products trade name, phone and fax numbers and website www.labargepro.com. The acquired assets also include proprietary drawings, tooling and fixtures required for manufacturing the following systems and components: Marine Corps Hose Reel System; Army Assault Hoseline System; Rapidly Installed Fuel Transfer System; 350 GPM trailer mounted pump system; 600 GPM trailer mounted pump system; Army Combat Ballistic Shield Kits; Army Flatracks (Forward Repair Station); Camel (800 gallon water trailer); and 463L Cargo Pallets. LaBarge Products is based in St. Louis, MO (www.labargepro.com).
“This acquisition is important as it significantly increases the capabilities of W.H. Smith and further expands our efforts to provide full systems to the U.S. Armed Forces and Allied Nations. Furthermore, the acquisition provides us with valuable intellectual property that can be modified for use in commercial industries, particularly the Utica and Marcellus Shale oil and gas exploration marketplace,” said Eric Jenkusky, Director of Business Development for W.H. Smith.
W.H. Smith Company assembles and fabricates fluid handling equipment and load securing and material handling hardware, primarily sold for military applications. WH Smith’s current line of products include, hose, manifold, valve, pump and nozzle assemblies used in fluid handling applications and shackles, chains, hooks, load binders and cargo-tie downs for load securing and material handling applications. Value added services WH Smith provides include assembly, light fabrication, painting and testing. The company was founded in 1874 and is based in Parkersburg, WV (www.whsmithco.com).
JWI Capital invests in Midwest based companies with revenues between $2 million and $25 million and EBITDAs between $500,000 and $2 million. Sectors of interest include defense, aerospace, energy, infrastructure, transportation and general industrial. The firm is headquartered in Cleveland (www.jwicapital.com).
© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-12-13
