Wynnchurch Capital Completes Sale of Aerospace and Defense Supplier Premier Forge Group

ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. (“Wynnchurch”), a leading middle market private equity firm, has completed the sale of Premier Forge Group Holdings, Inc. (“PFG” or the “Company”) to H.I.G. Capital, LLC.

Headquartered in Portland, Indiana, with additional operations in Lebanon, Kentucky and Azusa, California, PFG is a leading manufacturer of highly complex forgings for mission-critical aerospace & defense and specialty industrial applications. The Company manufactures a broad range of forged components primarily from specialty alloys, titanium, carbon steel, and stainless steel. PFG’s comprehensive forging capabilities are complemented by in-house process design and engineering, product machining, material optimization, die design, fabrication, and heat-treating services.

Wynnchurch acquired PFG in June 2019 as a corporate carve-out from Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: ATI, “ATI”). During Wynnchurch's ownership, the Company executed a number of value creation initiatives, including completing the carve-out from ATI, hiring a new management team, expanding scale and end-market diversification, investing in operational improvements and capital projects, and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and operational excellence programs. As a result, PFG significantly expanded its aerospace and defense exposure and further strengthened its position as a leading supplier of highly engineered forged components serving mission-critical applications.

Greg Gleason, Managing Partner at Wynnchurch, stated, “PFG is a great example of Wynnchurch’s ability to execute complex corporate carve-outs and unlock meaningful value. Working alongside management, we invested in the Company’s capabilities, expanded the platform into aerospace and defense, and positioned PFG for continued long-term success. We are thankful to Timm Fields and the entire PFG team for their hard work and partnership over the years.”

“Through our partnership, PFG leveraged its strong track record of quality, technical expertise, and customer service to strengthen the business and execute numerous operational and commercial initiatives,” stated Kevin Hanley, Principal at Wynnchurch.

“Wynnchurch has been a valuable partner, providing strategic, operational and financial resources to build upon the Company’s strong foundation and create a world-class forging operation,” stated Timm Fields, CEO of Premier Forge Group. “I am extremely proud of the entire PFG team and the platform we have built together, and I am excited for the continued growth ahead.”

Lincoln International served as financial advisor. Foley & Lardner LLP served as lead transaction counsel.

About Premier Forge Group:

Headquartered in Portland, Indiana, Premier Forge Group is a leading manufacturer of highly complex forgings for mission-critical aerospace and defense and specialty industrial applications. The Company’s capabilities include hammers, upsetters, presses, and ring-rolling, supported by in-house design and engineering, material expertise, product machining, die design, fabrication, and heat-treating services. For more information, please visit: ​www.premierforge.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital:

Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999 and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement.

Wynnchurch manages a number of private equity funds with $9.1 billion of assets under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs, and restructurings. Recently, Wynnchurch acquired MSHS Pacific Power Group, an independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (“MRO”) specialist serving power generation, industrial, marine, and national security customers. Other recent investments include: Sterno, a leading provider of portable food-warming and tabletop solutions; NABRICO Marine Products, a leading manufacturer of hopper barges, tank barges, fiberglass covers, and marine components; Charter Industries, a leading provider of edgebanding and complementary products; and Astro Shapes, a leading manufacturer of custom aluminum extrusions. For more information, please visit: www.wynnchurch.com or follow us on LinkedIn.