KPS Capital Partners announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Catalyst Acoustics Group through a newly formed affiliate. The Stephens Group is a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners and a leading independent designer and manufacturer of engineered acoustical solutions. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.
Catalyst offers critical acoustical, seismic, vibration, and noise control solutions across diverse end markets. It is the parent company of a leading group of companies, such as Frasch, IAC Acoustics, Kinetics Noise Control, Lamvin, Noise Barriers, RealAcoustix, Madrid, and Sound Seal. They offer the broadest portfolio of noise control solutions currently in the market.
The independent brands, channels to market, products, and services offered by each business remain unique while utilizing the deep functional expertise, broad channel reach, significant financial resources, and significantly larger scale of the combined company. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, the Company has approximately 550 employees and operates six strategically located manufacturing facilities across the United States, as well as a dedicated testing center.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison served as legal counsel to KPS. And Baird and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner served as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to Catalyst.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are excited to acquire Catalyst, a differentiated acoustical solutions manufacturer with diverse capabilities, broad product development competencies and an attractive customer base with a best-in-class manufacturer representative network. We look forward to partnering with Chief Executive Officer, Joe Lupone, and the Catalyst team to accelerate growth opportunities driven by investment in the Company’s business and operations. Catalyst’s manufacturing expertise, commitment to quality and strong customer relationships, combined with KPS’ strategic, operational and financial resources on a global scale, provide an ideal platform for future growth. We intend to expand the business both organically and through strategic acquisitions.”
- Pierre de Villeméjane, Partner and Co-Head of KPS Mid-Cap Investments
“KPS, with its demonstrated track record of manufacturing excellence is the ideal next owner of Catalyst as it enters this next phase of growth. We look forward to working closely together with KPS and our talented team to expand our technical leadership in acoustics technology and continue delivering new and exciting high-quality products and solutions that deliver significant value for our customers. Catalyst is well-positioned to benefit from strong growth potential driven by the ongoing adoption of acoustical solutions across diverse applications and leverage its unique position in the market.”
- Joe Lupone, Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst
