Mar 4, 2024   SOURCE: BusinessWire

AE Industrial Partners Completes Acquisition of Calca Solutions

AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”), a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace, National Security, and Industrial Services, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Calca Solutions (“Calca” or the “Company”). Calca is a leading manufacturer of hydrazine, which is used in diverse national security applications, including in-space propellant, military aircraft, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. The Company will serve as a new AEI platform to invest in mission-critical products focused on national security.

Over its 70-year history, Calca – based in Lake Charles, Louisiana – has been a key supplier of hydrazine to the U.S. government for use in satellite and defense applications. The Company also manufactures hydrazine derivatives for the production of critical vaccines and anti-corrosion agents utilized in water treatment and nuclear energy facilities.

“We are excited to partner with the management team at Calca Solutions to invest in the resilience and growth of the U.S. national security industrial base,” said Kirk Konert, Managing Partner at AEI. “Calca’s impressive and longstanding history as a domestic provider of hydrazine to the U.S. government makes it a very attractive cornerstone for a national security mission-critical products platform focused on the space, aerospace, biotech, and clean energy domains.”

Working with the AEI team and key customers, Calca will focus on increasing production of hydrazine and adding capacity to its existing facility to meet growing demand across its key markets.

“We are looking forward to the next phase of our business’ evolution in partnership with AEI,” said Shane Jenkins, CEO of Calca Solutions. “With more than 25 years of experience in the space, defense, and specialty chemicals industries, AEI is the ideal partner to help us build capacity and take advantage of new avenues for growth and innovation.”

“It’s a critical time to be investing in national security. We are working with Calca to build upon their impressive 70-year heritage and ensure they remain a strong partner to their customers, who depend on their mission critical products,” said Jon Lusczakoski, Vice President at AEI.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor and FMI Capital Advisors served as exclusive advisor to Calca Solutions and AE Industrial Partners.

About AE Industrial Partners

AE Industrial Partners is a private investment firm with $5.4 billion of assets under management focused on highly specialized markets including Aerospace, National Security, and Industrial Services. AE Industrial Partners has completed more than 130 investments in market-leading companies that benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and network of relationships across the sectors where the firm invests. With a commitment to driving value creation in partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, AE Industrial Partners primarily invests across private equity, venture capital (AEI HorizonX), and aerospace leasing. For more information, please visit www.aeroequity.com.