Fort Worth-based Graco Supply Co. on April 9 announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire E.V. Roberts, Carson, California, to forge the largest aerospace-focused specialty chemicals distributor in North America. The Graco/E.V. Roberts combination will create a full-service, solutions-oriented distribution firm offering access to a larger portfolio of products in more locations and custom value-added services to support the evolving needs of its customer and supplier partners. No price for the transaction was announced.Â
E.V. Roberts, with an 80-year track record of successfully distributing, formulating, and packaging specialty chemicals to the aerospace and other advanced manufacturing markets, provides significant growth channels for Graco. E.V. Roberts maintains a world-class quality system and is an authorized distributor for 3M, Henkel, Momentive, Resin Formulators, and Scott Bader, according to a news release.
“We are thrilled to have Ron Cloud and his outstanding team join us in taking aerospace chemical distribution to a new level,” said Jason Caldwell, president and CEO of Graco. “Bringing more products and services to our customers through our combined channel is important. Unleashing the talent and expertise of these two innovative teams with a strong aerospace chemical distribution heritage is truly exciting.”
With nearly 30 years of experience providing growth capital to the aerospace, defense and federal services sectors, CM Equity Partners, as sponsor to Graco, will fund the acquisition, continuing Graco’s strong track record of growth and enabling the combined companies to better serve its customers and suppliers.
With approximately 150 employees, the combined company will operate from Fort Worth with distribution and service centers in all major aerospace hubs, including the West (Carson and Burbank, CA), Pacific Northwest (Kent, WA), Southeast/East (North Carolina, Atlanta) and Central (Wichita, KS) regions.
Founded in 1959, Graco (www.gracosupply.com) is a leading value-added distributor of chemicals, specialty materials, consumables and related services to the aerospace and defense industries. Graco’s product line card consists of aerospace coatings and other paints, sealants, adhesives, surface treatments, composite materials and other shop consumables used in the manufacture and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of commercial, business and military aircraft. Graco also provides value-added services, including custom repackaging, temperature-sensitive material handling, tinting and supply chain management capabilities.