Synchronous Aerospace Group Acquires Helicomb International Inc.

SANTA ANA, CA – Synchronous Aerospace Group, a provider of flight-critical machined aluminum and hard-metal components, integrated kits and complex assemblies to the commercial, military, and space markets, announces that it has acquired Helicomb International Inc., a provider of aerospace composite structures. Synchronous is majority-owned by Littlejohn & Co., a Greenwich, CT-based private equity firm.

"We are very pleased to have Bob Austin and the entire Helicomb team join Synchronous," says Mark Heasley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synchronous. "Helicomb’s composite capabilities expand our current capabilities enabling us to supply higher level and value-added assemblies to our customers, especially with the increased use of composites on many current and future platforms. We are confident that Helicomb’s deep technical composites and metal bonding expertise will offer Synchronous' customers an attractive addition to our existing metals capabilities."

"We are very pleased with the performance of Synchronous to date and the advancements the management team is making in building its business," says Edmund J. Feeley, Managing Director of Littlejohn & Co. and a member of the Synchronous Board of Directors. "This strategic acquisition is consistent with our growth plans and we will continue to identify strong companies that will further solidify Synchronous’s position as a key supplier to the commercial and defense aerospace industries."

Equity financing for the transaction was provided by Littlejohn Fund III, L.P. Debt financing was provided by Jefferies Finance LLC.

Founded in 1981 and based in Tulsa, OK, Helicomb produces commercial and military aircraft structures manufactured from a broad range of composite and metal-bonded materials for leading aerospace manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, and overhaul service providers.