Arlington Capital Partners Launches Highwater, a Global Naval Services Platform, and Announces Add-On Acquisition of AMP United

Highwater brings together Eptec Defence and AMP United to create a scaled global naval preservation and sustainment platform serving the U.S., Australian and allied defense fleets across key naval ports

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arlington Capital Partners (“Arlington”), a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government regulated industries, today announced the launch of Highwater (the “Company”), a leading naval services platform focused on vessel preservation, repair and other specialist services for the U.S., Australian and allied fleets. Highwater combines Arlington portfolio company Eptec Defence (“Eptec”) with AMP United, LLC (“AMP United”), a leading U.S. provider of naval preservation, structural and scaffolding services.

Highwater brings together two highly complementary naval preservation businesses with significant expertise in the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Navy’s most complex programs across submarines, carriers and surface ships. Together, the businesses serve as the foundation for Highwater’s future growth, which will include adding adjacent marine capabilities to better serve government and prime contractor customers. The formation of Highwater comes as the U.S., Australia and allied navies are deepening relationships through security partnerships such as AUKUS. With over 600 employees operating in locations such as Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego; Honolulu; Sydney; Adelaide; and Perth, Highwater is positioned to support its customers wherever they operate across a multitude of mission-critical services.

Steve Zogas, CEO of Highwater, said, “I am excited to continue our partnership with Arlington as we launch Highwater and bring together global teams with deep experience in naval preservation. Our customers need a partner that can move with urgency, operate safely in complex shipyard environments and deliver repeatable quality at scale across ports. Highwater’s U.S. and Australian footprint and past performance are uniquely suited to service nuclear-powered vessels and surface ships that address Indo-Pacific threats.”

“Today is validation of the key foundations of operational excellence and culture that we have worked to build and maintain,” said Peter Lignos, CEO of AMP United. “We are immensely grateful for Arlington’s support and look forward to continuing to deliver on future strategic initiatives with our new partners at Highwater, Eptec Defence and Arlington.”

Naval preservation is a vital and highly complex segment of the maritime sustainment market. The work, including surface preparation, coatings, containment, abatement, scaffolding, structural support and related services, accelerates repair cycles and extends service life of ships and submarines. The speed with which U.S., Australian and allied fleets can complete availabilities and return to active service significantly lags current operational requirements, and Highwater was created to help solve that problem. Highwater is designed to bring broader lifecycle capabilities at scale under one brand to a market where fleet readiness increasingly depends on access to high-quality, reliable outsourced partners.

“Highwater reflects Arlington’s approach to building market-leading platforms in sectors essential to national security,” said Peter Manos, a Managing Partner at Arlington Capital Partners. “As geopolitical competition intensifies and naval fleets face growing operational demands, naval modernization and preservation is essential to fleet readiness. This market remains highly fragmented, and Arlington is excited to invest in infrastructure and human capital that is required to drive high quality results for our prime contractor and government customers.”

As part of the launch, Highwater welcomed Vice Admiral William Galinis to its board of directors. Vice Adm. Galinis previously served as commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), overseeing the Navy's shipbuilding and maintenance programs across submarines, carriers and surface ships. His appointment reflects Highwater's commitment to keeping allied fleet readiness at the center of its mission.

About Highwater
Highwater is a leading global naval services platform preserving Allied Naval readiness across the U.S. and Australia. For more than 25 years, Highwater has delivered independent naval preservation services that keep fleets mission ready and on schedule. With dedicated presence across key naval hubs in the United States and Australia, Highwater supports submarines, carriers, surface combatants and support vessels with trusted and proven defense-focused expertise. For more information, visit Highwater’s website at www.Highwater.com.

About Arlington Capital Partners
Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government-regulated industries. Focused on the aerospace and defense, government services and technology, and healthcare sectors, the Firm partners with founders and entrepreneurs to build platforms of strategic importance to national priorities. Operating in markets with high barriers to entry, Arlington looks to partner with organizations within these industries that save lives, improve effectiveness, and reduce costs. Since inception in 1999, Arlington has invested in over 200 companies and raised over $14 billion in committed capital. The Firm is currently investing out of its $6 billion Fund VII. For more information, visit Arlington’s website at www.arlingtoncap.com and follow Arlington on LinkedIn.