GracoRoberts has entered into an agreement to acquire UK-based Silmid to forge aerospace-focused and specification-driven specialty chemicals distributor around the globe.
The combination, including the December 2020 acquisition of Able Aerospace Adhesives, provides GracoRoberts with over 200 years of combined domestic and international aerospace expertise, most notably in the OEM, military and defense, and MRO markets.
“We are thrilled to have Andy Nickson and the Silmid team join us in becoming a global and digital leader in aerospace specialty chemicals distribution,” said Jason Caldwell, President and CEO of GracoRoberts. “Together we bring more solutions, expertise and innovation to the global aerospace community than either of us can do alone. Offering this next-level value to our customers and suppliers and innovating a traditional brick and mortar specialty chemicals distribution model is truly game changing, and we are excited about what we will achieve together.”
Andy Nickson, Operations Director of Silmid, also commented on the integration, and his reasoning behind choosing to partner with GracoRoberts. “The Silmid vision is founded on a philosophy of Silmid First – being the go-to destination and leading source for products and information. Once we’ve earned the customer’s trust with a purchase, it is our responsibility to deliver on time and without error. That belief system and operational excellence is fully aligned with GracoRoberts, which is what makes this partnership such a natural fit, and we are honored to join the GracoRoberts team.”
With nearly 30 years of experience providing growth capital to the aerospace, defense and federal services sectors, CM Equity Partners, the private equity sponsor of GracoRoberts, has supported the acquisition.
With approximately 200 combined employees, GracoRoberts and Silmid will continue to operate independently from each company’s corporate headquarters in Arlington, TX, and West Midlands, United Kingdom. Until the integration is complete, both groups’ customers and suppliers can expect business as usual.
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