KippsDeSanto & Co. advises CWPS on its Sale to Red River

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises CWPS on its Sale to Red River

KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Computer Word Processing Systems, Inc. (“CWPS” or the “Company”), to Red River Technology, LLC (“Red River”).

Headquartered in Chantilly, VA, CWPS is a leading technology solutions provider specializing in managed services ranging from complex network, collaboration, data center, cloud management and security through Tier 1 service desk capabilities.  The Company was a first-mover toward building an expertise in managed cloud services, shifting over time from unified communications to services in major cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Amazon Web Services (“AWS”).

This acquisition strengthens Red River’s position as a cloud services provider, expands and enhances its geographic managed services portfolio footprint within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, and provides Red River an additional 24×7 Network Operations Center (“NOC”).

We believe this investment demonstrates several key trends in the managed services market:

  • Strong demand for technology-driven, next-generation managed and cloud service companies;
  • Continued focus on high-growth oriented firms with proven scale and past performance, and sustainable, recurring revenue and profitability; and
  • Significant value attributed to deeply-embedded customer relationships and market know-how

 About KippsDeSanto & Co.

KippsDeSanto & Co. is an investment banking firm focused on serving growth-oriented Aerospace / Defense, Government Services and Technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and Financing transaction results to our clients via leveraging our scale, creativity and industry experience.  We help market leaders realize their full strategic value.  Having advised on over 100 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our analytical rigor, market insight, and broad industry relationships.  There’s no substitute for experience.  For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

Red River Acquires CWPS

The Acquisition Adds Depth, Breadth and Maturity to Red River’s Managed Services Portfolio

September 06, 2019 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

CLAREMONT, N.H. & WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Red River, a technology transformation company, announced today that it has acquired Washington D.C.-based CWPS. The acquisition adds depth, breadth and maturity to Red River’s managed services portfolio and infuses the company with more than 150 talented, innovative people. The acquisition also enhances Red River’s geographic footprint within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions and strengthens the company’s position as a leading cloud services provider by adding scale and scope in major cloud environments including Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and AWS.

CWPS is a technology solutions provider specializing in managed services ranging from complex network, collaboration, data center, cloud management and security through Tier 1 service desk. This expertise enhances Red River’s ability to better serve its customers across the full spectrum of technology – from designing, selling and integrating technology infrastructure to full-lifecycle services, application development and support.

“CWPS has successfully navigated every growth cycle in our business without having to take outside investment,” said Jason Waldrop, CEO of CWPS. “To accelerate our future growth, CWPS needed to find a partner with substance. By joining with Red River and leveraging its scale, resources and mature operating framework, we can provide greater opportunities for our employees and have greater impact on our customers’ technology and business outcomes.”

Red River now has two 24 x7 Network Operations Centers (NOC) and a geographic footprint that features major office locations in New Hampshire, Virginia, Texas and California with engineering and sales resources in over 25 states. CWPS will fold into Red River’s Managed Services organization with Jason Waldrop serving as the division’s President.

About Red River

Red River brings together the ideal combination of talent, partners and products to disrupt the status quo in technology and drive success for business and government in ways previously unattainable. Red River serves organizations well beyond traditional technology integration, bringing more than 20 years of experience and mission-critical expertise in security, networking, analytics, collaboration, mobility and cloud solutions. Learn more at redriver.com.

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises AceInfo Solutions on its sale to Dovel Technologies, a portfolio company of Macquarie Capital

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises AceInfo Solutions on its sale to Dovel Technologies, a portfolio company of Macquarie Capital

KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce the sale of its client, AceInfo Solutions (“AceInfo” or the “Company”), to Dovel Technologies (“Dovel”), a portfolio company of Macquarie Capital.

Headquartered in Reston, VA, AceInfo has established itself as a preeminent provider of NextGen IT solutions addressing the IT transformation and modernization needs across a strong base of Federal civilian and Department of Defense (“DoD”) customers.

Leveraging its differentiated portfolio of solutions, including Application Services, Systems Modernization, Agile Development, DevSecOps, Cloud Services, Cyber Security, and Managed Services, AceInfo delivers emerging technology to advance its customers’ critical modernization missions and has established decades-long relationships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), Census Bureau, Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), Department of Justice (“DoJ”) and NOAA, among many other Federal customers.

As Dovel’s first acquisition since being acquired by Macquarie Capital, AceInfo’s position across several strategic Federal agencies will augment Dovel’s customer base and further accelerate the combined market position through AceInfo’s contract vehicle portfolio, including Alliant 2, One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (“OASIS”), Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (“RS3”), the Defense Information System Agency’s (“DISA”) Encore III, and others.

We believe this transaction highlights several key trends in the government and technology solutions M&A market:

  • As the requirements of government customers continue to evolve, firms that offer forward leaning, NextGen solutions to include cloud and agile remain highly attractive acquisition candidates
  • Strong demand for access to prime, full and open contract vehicles as a conduit to drive growth
  • Private equity continues to invest and build the middle market through buy and build strategies

 About KippsDeSanto & Co.

KippsDeSanto & Co. is an investment banking firm focused on serving growth-oriented Aerospace / Defense, Government Services and Technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and Financing transaction results to our clients via leveraging our scale, creativity and industry experience.  We help market leaders realize their full strategic value.  Having advised on over 100 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our analytical rigor, market insight, and broad industry relationships.  There’s no substitute for experience.  For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

Press Release – September 04, 2019

Dovel Technologies Acquires AceInfo Solutions

McLean, VA, September 4, 2019 – Dovel Technologies, a leading expert to federal agencies that blends deep domain expertise and advanced technologies in the health IT, life sciences, and grants management markets, today announced the acquisition of AceInfo Solutions. The addition of AceInfo will help Dovel diversify its client base and expand its market capabilities. It will rapidly advance Dovel’s portfolio of solutions and services and open up new opportunities for employees to grow their talents and experiences within the combined company.

AceInfo is a trusted IT partner to the federal government with core competencies in Infrastructure & Data Center Support, Agile Software Development, Systems Modernization, DevSecOps, Cloud Engineering, and Data Analytics and holds a number of best-in-class government-wide contracts. Additionally, its technology Centers of Excellence bring emerging technologies and solutions to their customer environments such as Serverless Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning.

“AceInfo’s and Dovel’s deep technical capabilities and a shared commitment to our employees and customers are an ideal match”, said Jay Challa, Chairman and CEO, AceInfo. “Our cultures are both entrepreneurially focused and dedicated to delivering quality solutions. We are proud to bring our collective capabilities to make a positive impact across critical federal government projects.”

Dovel helps advance federal agency missions to bring about meaningful change to people around the world. The company has a long, proven history of integrating emerging technologies with domain expertise, mission requirements, and customer needs to produce lasting and highly innovative solutions to customers.

“The addition of AceInfo enables us to continue the aggressive pursuit of our long-term growth strategy of market expansion and competitive positioning in the mid-tier market,” said Paul Leslie, CEO of Dovel. “AceInfo adds complementary capabilities, a highly-skilled team of employees, and a diverse customer base that will help us advance our work in supporting the integration of emerging technologies with complex systems to manage data and information for more rapid decision making.”

Together, this newly formed mid-tier company will serve customers including government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Commerce.

“AceInfo has exceptional large program past performance, as well as contract vehicles that will open doors, expanding our client offerings” said Dovel President and COO, Damon Griggs. “I am inspired by this opportunity to broaden our impact and very much look forward to working with the AceInfo team to use our joint capabilities to drive organic growth.”

Combining AceInfo’s capabilities and services with Dovel’s deep technology and market knowledge allows Dovel to now offer the expertise of more than 2,200 technologists, scientists, and support staff to accelerate modernization efforts across the federal government sector customer base. The AceInfo transaction enhances Dovel’s heavy presence in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with offices now in McLean and Reston, Virginia as well as Rockville, Maryland. The combined company also has offices in other locations including Fort Collins, Colorado and Raytown, Missouri.

Investment bank KippsDeSanto acted as the financial advisor to AceInfo for this acquisition.

About Dovel Technologies

Dovel Technologies blends deep domain expertise with advanced technologies to accelerate solutions that best fit the needs of our customers. We apply deep subject matter experience in health IT, life sciences, and grants management to drive innovation and expand customer capabilities. We harness the power of emerging technologies to integrate complex systems and manage information, allowing for rapid decision-making in data-rich environments. In May 2019, Dovel received a significant capital investment from Macquarie Capital, the corporate advisory, capital markets, and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group. For more information visit www.doveltech.com

About AceInfo Solutions

AceInfo Solutions, Inc. is a leading Federal contractor with a focused vision: empower our clients, challenge our employees, and grow our business. Deeply committed to ensuring quality and customer satisfaction, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 maturity appraised company helps agencies transform and strengthen their processes, operations, infrastructures, and security practices to help them further their critical missions. For more information visit www.aceinfosolutions.com

 

KippsDeSanto & Co. Acquired By Capital One

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KippsDeSanto & Co. Acquired By Capital One

KippsDeSanto & Co. has been acquired by Capital One.

KippsDeSanto is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital One and will continue to operate under the KippsDeSanto brand. Our 30 professionals are excited to support Capital One’s thrust into middle market M&A. Joining Capital One is a natural next step in the KippsDeSanto growth plan. Beyond the M&A advice we currently offer, our clients will now have access to additional solutions offered by Capital One.

“Capital One and KippsDeSanto have a shared goal of providing clients with trusted advice and counsel enabled by deep industry expertise and a seamless client experience,” said Steve Tulip, Head of Capital Markets, Capital One Commercial Banking. “By bringing our teams together, we’ll be able to add scale and expertise to our growing M&A advisory group which will benefit clients in a wide variety of industries.”

With Capital One, a top 10 U.S. Commercial Bank, we found an innovative, technology savvy financial institution with a similar culture and business values. Moreover, we see enormous synergy and growth potential with their capital markets products, expanded private equity and corporate relationships and industry knowledge in aerospace and defense and other key verticals.

About KippsDeSanto & Co.

KippsDeSanto & Co. is a leading investment banking firm focused on serving leading, growth-oriented aerospace/defense, government services and technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and financing transaction results to our clients via leveraging our scale, creativity and industry experience. We help market leaders realize their full strategic value. Having advised on over 100 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our analytical rigor, market insight and broad industry relationships. There’s no substitute for experience. For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., had $254.5 billion in deposits and $373.6 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2019. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia,

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KippsDeSanto & Co. Advises McNally Industries, LLC, a portfolio company of Gardner Standard LLC, on its sale to Susquehanna Private Capital, LLC

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KippsDeSanto & Co. Advises McNally Industries, LLC, a portfolio company of Gardner Standard LLC, on its sale to Susquehanna Private Capital, LLC

KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce the sale of McNally Industries, LLC (“McNally” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Gardner Standard LLC, to Susquehanna Private Capital, LLC.

Headquartered in Grantsburg, WI, McNally is a leading provider of advanced design engineering, complex test and assembly, and precision machining and manufacturing for mission-critical applications, primarily supporting both new and legacy platforms for the aerospace & defense and midstream oil & gas markets.  The Company’s full-service offerings range from initial product design and manufacturing to final testing and after-market support.  Deep engineering capabilities, including reverse engineering and technical data package development, have created significant competitive advantages and high barriers to entry.  Additionally, this expertise has enabled McNally to establish sole-source / single-source positioning on various highly-visible and well-funded Programs of Record (“PoR”) and to develop proprietary products.  McNally has an established history supporting various Department of Defense (“DoD”) customers with missions across land, air, and sea.  Supported programs include the Bradley Fighting Vehicle; Apache, Blackhawk, and Chinook helicopters; and DDG-51 destroyers.

Well-positioned in the growing defense and energy end markets, McNally maintains strong relationships with a strategically diversified portfolio of government end users, key system integrators and defense primes, as well as commercial oil & gas customers.  Continued investments in new machinery and equipment coupled with an emphasis on cultivating engineering talent with relevant industry certifications, educational backgrounds, and requisite security clearances has allowed McNally to succeed and drive continued growth.

We believe this investment demonstrates several key trends in the aerospace and defense M&A environment:

  • Demand for companies with entrenched and defensible positions on PoRs and key enduring programs which provide significant revenue visibility and backlog;
  • Significant value placed on companies with single / sole-source status given high barriers to entry created by differentiated capabilities portfolios and proprietary solutions;
  • Interest in customer footprint diversified across government users, defense primes, and commercial players;
  • Private equity firms remain active; buyers look to acquire new platforms in well-funded and defensible markets.

 About KippsDeSanto & Co. KippsDeSanto & Co. is an investment banking firm focused on serving growth-oriented Aerospace / Defense, Government Services and Technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and Financing transaction results to our clients via leveraging our scale, creativity and industry experience.  We help market leaders realize their full strategic value.  Having advised on over 100 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our analytical rigor, market insight, and broad industry relationships.  There’s no substitute for experience.  For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

Press Release

MCNALLY INDUSTRIES, LLC PARTNERS WITH SUSQUEHANNA PRIVATE CAPITAL, LLC

BALA CYNWYD, PA – (September 9, 2019) — Susquehanna Private Capital, LLC (“SPC”), a middle market investment firm and member of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies (“SIG”), is pleased to announce its investment in McNally Industries, LLC (“McNally”), a precision systems manufacturer to defense and industrial markets based in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

McNally has an established history supporting various U.S. Department of Defense customers with missions across land, air, and sea. Supported programs include Ground Combat Vehicles, including Bradley, Paladin and the Army’s new Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Army Rotary Wing Aircraft, including Blackhawk, Apache and Chinook, the Navy’s fleet of DDG-51 destroyers as well as the Army’s 120mm, 81mm and 60mm Mortar Weapons Systems.

“We are excited to partner with McNally’s management team during the next phase of the Company’s growth” said Kyle Squillario, Director at SPC. “The Company’s impressive manufacturing operations coupled with its advanced engineering and design capabilities serve as clear differentiators at a time when the industry is demanding more from its suppliers.”

McNally recently built a new 17,500 square foot assembly and test facility at its Grantsburg, Wisconsin campus to better accommodate the significant growth the Company is experiencing. “The McNally team is very excited to partner with SPC and the strength they bring to continue advancing the Company’s growth,” said Jim Segelstrom, CEO of McNally.

As part of the transaction, SPC has already made significant capital investments in the latest automated manufacturing technology so the Company can better meet increased customer demand for McNally’s products and services. “We believe McNally’s focus on legacy systems and aftermarket components to the defense industry align well with the U.S. Department of Defense’s stated goals and objectives” said Leo Helmers, Co-Founder and Group Head of SPC. “We look forward to partnering with management and investing in the business to enhance the Company’s capabilities, market position, and quality of service.”

KippsDeSanto & Co. served as the financial advisor to Gardner Standard. As part of the transaction, Gardner Standard will retain a minority position in McNally.

About McNally Industries

Founded in 1942 and headquartered in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, McNally provides advanced design engineering, complex test and assembly, and precision machining and manufacturing for mission-critical applications, primarily supporting both new and legacy platforms for the aerospace & defense and midstream oil & gas markets. The Company’s full-service offerings range from initial product design and manufacturing to final testing and aftermarket support, including reverse engineering and technical data package development. The Company works with leading blue-chip clients that serve the U.S. Department of Defense and midstream oil & gas end markets. For more information, please visit www.mcnally-industries.com.

About Susquehanna Private Capital

SPC is an affiliate of Susquehanna International Group, LLP (“SIG”), one of the world’s largest privately-held financial services firms. SPC makes majority and minority investments in domestic, middle market companies across a variety of industries, including: aerospace, defense & government, business services, healthcare, and industrials. The firm is backed by a unique and patient capital base that gives management teams the freedom and flexibility to pursue business plans that maximize long-term value creation. For more information, please visit www.spcllc.com.

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Altamira Technologies Corporation on its Sale to a ClearSky-led Investor Group

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KippsDeSanto & Co. advises Altamira Technologies Corporation on its Sale to a ClearSky-led Investor Group

KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Altamira Technologies Corporation (“Altamira” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Columbia Capital and Razor’s Edge Ventures, to a ClearSky-led investor group.

Headquartered in McLean, VA, Altamira is a leading provider of technology solutions to the defense and intelligence communities, with considerable domain expertise in Space Superiority, Cybersecurity, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (“C4ISR”).  Altamira partners with emerging and strategic commercial technology companies to combine innovations in data analytics, such as artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”), software development, multi-intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity with deep mission knowledge.  The Company’s mission-critical solutions provide its customers strategic and tactical advantage over adversaries in the space, cyberspace, and battlespace domains to enhance the overall U.S. national security posture.

Additional investors in the ClearSky-led investor group include McNally Capital and Nio Advisors.

We believe this investment demonstrates several key trends in the defense and intelligence M&A market:

  • Technology-driven, high-end solutions companies focused on Space and C4ISR programs continue to be key priority areas for buyers and investors
  • Buyers and investors continue to place significant value on companies with deeply-embedded defense and intelligence customer relationships, most especially those aligned with favorable budget forecasts
  • Private equity investors remain actively focused on purpose-built growth platforms with a proven track record of innovation and delivery at scale

 About KippsDeSanto & Co. KippsDeSanto & Co. is an investment banking firm focused on serving growth-oriented Aerospace / Defense, Government Services and Technology companies. We are focused on delivering exceptional M&A and Financing transaction results to our clients via leveraging our scale, creativity and industry experience.  We help market leaders realize their full strategic value.  Having advised on over 100 industry transactions, KippsDeSanto is recognized for our analytical rigor, market insight, and broad industry relationships.  There’s no substitute for experience.  For more information, visit www.kippsdesanto.com.

ClearSky-led Investor Consortium Acquires Altamira Technologies in National Security Play

July 24, 2019 10:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Altamira Technologies Corporation, a market leader in delivering innovative, mission-focused analytics and engineering solutions to the U.S. national security community, today announced that the company has been acquired by an investor group led by ClearSky. Altamira was formed to address the growing gap in mid-sized innovators that possess the ability to scale as well as the agility to adapt to a rapidly changing threat environment and technology landscape. The company has experienced a 20%+ CAGR over the past 4 years and its multi-billion dollar set of contract vehicles position it at the forefront of continued growth and expansion into the broader defense, intelligence and homeland security markets.

“We are very excited by the opportunity that this new partnership will provide to continue to drive strong organic growth, invest in innovative new solutions, as well as for strategic acquisitions,” said Altamira CEO, Ted Davies. “We have carefully constructed a unique platform built to scale and support core national defense and intelligence missions and are enthused that our investors share our vision for the future.”

In addition to ClearSky, other investors in the ClearSky-led consortium include McNally Capital and Nio Advisors. In connection with the transaction, ClearSky Managing Director Peter Kuper and ClearSky Chairman Joseph R. Wright, Jr. are joining Altamira’s board of directors, as is Ward McNally, Managing Partner at McNally Capital.

“Altamira has positioned itself well to continue to provide trusted, value-added, and critical mission-focused solutions as a key partner with its clients,” said ClearSky Chairman and incoming Altamira Chairman Joseph R. Wright, Jr. “We are pleased to support the strong management team and professionals at Altamira, and are excited by the opportunities for further business growth and innovation at Altamira.”

“We are excited to partner with Altamira, ClearSky and Nio Advisors on this transaction, which is in line with our commitment to partner with best-in-class management teams and investors,” said incoming Altamira director Ward McNally.

KippsDeSanto & Co. served as exclusive financial advisor and Cooley LLP served as legal advisor to Altamira in the transaction.

About Altamira

Altamira Technologies leverages its award-winning culture of excellence to deliver innovative solutions to the defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities. The company provides customers a mission advantage through full-spectrum advanced engineering, data analytics, and cyber operations services and solutions from research through development and into operations.

About ClearSky

ClearSky is a venture capital/growth equity firm that has been operating since 2012 with offices in Florida, New York, Boston and San Francisco. ClearSky is currently investing through two funds: ClearSky Power & Technology and ClearSky Security. ClearSky Power & Technology invests in innovative companies providing technology and services to enterprise customers, with a special focus on the power sector. ClearSky Security invests in companies that offer transformative security solutions, with a special focus on cybersecurity, industrial security and critical infrastructure security.

About McNally Capital

Formed by the McNally family, who owned and operated Rand McNally & Company, McNally Capital is dedicated to upholding a 140+ year legacy as a family-owned and operated company. Today, McNally Capital is focused exclusively on Direct Family Capital through Direct Investing. With an emphasis on partnership, we harness the financial, intellectual, and human capital of our family office ecosystem to build value for family office investors, management teams and operating companies. We maintain a private network of over 800 family offices with whom we collaborate to make and manage direct investments.