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Stout Advises Abrisa Technologies on Sale to HEF Groupe

January 20, 2021

Stout announced today that its client, Abrisa Technologies (“Abrisa”), a portfolio company of Graham Partners, Inc. (“Graham”), was acquired by an affiliate of HEF Groupe (“HEF”). Stout served as exclusive financial advisor to Graham and Abrisa in connection with the transaction.

Founded in 1980, with operations in Torrance, CA, and Santa Paula, CA, Abrisa is a leading provider of complex, highly engineered custom thin film optical coating and technical flat glass solutions to the photonics industry. Abrisa is differentiated by its full-service capabilities and single-point accountability, ranging from research and development (R&D) to design to “ready-to-install” production. Furthermore, Abrisa serves a diversified group of global customers, including leading OEMs, with customized, mission-critical photonics solutions.

Graham, based in suburban Philadelphia, is a private investment firm focused on investing in technology-driven companies that are spurring innovation in advanced manufacturing with deep operating resources capable of leveraging advances in materials science and production technologies to maximize growth potential.

HEF, based in France, is a global leader in metallurgical surface treatments, coatings, and physical vapor deposition technology.

“Our partnership with HEF represents a strong cultural and strategic fit for our organization,” said Blake Fennell, CEO at Abrisa. “HEF’s investment strategy, values-based culture, and emphasis on innovation could not be a better fit for us.”

“Stout did an excellent job with this transaction, and we feel that Abrisa is well-positioned to continue its success and growth with HEF,” added Jason Crowl, Principal at Graham. “The Stout team brought an impressive mix of insight, guidance, and industry knowledge to a complex, cross-border transaction.”

“In addition to the strong chemistry between Abrisa and HEF, HEF’s extensive resources and expertise will further position Abrisa to leverage its platform and capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead,” said Keith Sipes, Stout Managing Director and head of the firm’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Investment Banking practice. “We have been overwhelmingly impressed by Abrisa’s business and the culture established by Blake and his team. It was truly an honor and a privilege to work with Graham and Abrisa on this important step in the Company’s continued growth and evolution.”

Keith served as lead advisor to Abrisa and Graham for the transaction. Stout’s Nick Dreps and Natalie Walgren assisted in executing the transaction.

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP served as legal counsel to Graham and Abrisa. John Stoddard served as lead partner on the transaction.

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