Apex Engineering Int'l and HM Dunn Aerospace merge

HM Dunn Company Inc. and Apex Engineering Int'l LLC (AEI), portfolio companies of Gridiron Capital LLC, are merging the two companies to form HM Dunn AeroSystems Inc., a vertically integrated Super Tier 2 aerospace manufacturer. HM Dunn's CEO, Phil Milazzo, will serve as the CEO of the combined entity, and AEI's former CEO, Jeff Landreth, will lead the business strategy and proposal development for the new company. HM Dunn AeroSystems is headquartered near Dallas, Texas.

 

The combination of these two organizations establishes the capability of HM Dunn AeroSystems as a Super Tier 2 supplier to commercial, military, and general aviation customers. The combination of the two businesses, each with deep industry heritage, provides engineering design support, tool fabrication, complex machining, sheet metal fabrication, complex composite manufacturing, in-house processing, and complete assembly capabilities to the aerospace industry. HM Dunn AeroSystems acts as a true partner for its OEM and Tier 1 customers by providing an efficient, strong, and seamless value stream for the customer. The combined company will serve an international base of customers on high-growth commercial, business jet, and military platforms.

 

Mr. Milazzo, CEO of HM Dunn AeroSystems, stated: "The combination of AEI with HM Dunn creates a tremendous opportunity for us to achieve our customers' needs in a unique way. No longer will our customers need to go to multiple providers for the engineering, design, manufacturing, processing, and assembly of key components in commercial, business jet, and military markets. We are that one-stop solution."

 

Mr. Eugene Conese, Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital, commented:

"With aircraft build rates continuing to accelerate, resulting in increased pressure on the aerospace supply chain, we became convinced the combination of our two fine portfolio companies would be the best way to serve our customers and create a compelling value proposition for them."

 

HM Dunn operates in Wichita, Kan., St. Louis, Mo., and Dallas, Texas. AEI has operations in Wichita, Kan. and Ada, Okla. Gridiron Capital LLC is a private equity firm headquartered in New Canaan, Conn.