KPS CAPITAL PARTNERS TO ACQUIRE CATALYST ACOUSTICS GROUP, INC.

A Leading Independent Designer and Manufacturer of Engineered Acoustical Solutions

New York, NY (September 30, 2024) -- KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) announced today that, through a newly formed affiliate, it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Catalyst Acoustics Group, Inc. (“Catalyst” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of The Stephens Group, LLC, and a leading independent designer and manufacturer of engineered acoustical solutions.  Completion of the transaction is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.

Catalyst provides best-in-class critical acoustical, seismic, vibration and noise control solutions across diverse end-markets.  Catalyst is the parent company of a leading group of companies, including Frasch, IAC Acoustics, Kinetics Noise Control, Lamvin, Noise Barriers, RealAcoustix, Madrid and Sound Seal. Together, they offer the broadest portfolio of noise control solutions currently in the market. The independent brands, channels to market, products and services offered by each business remain unique, while leveraging the deep functional expertise, broad channel reach, significant financial resources and significantly larger scale of the combined company.  Headquartered in Agawam, Massachusetts, the Company has approximately 550 employees and operates six strategically located manufacturing facilities across the United States, as well as a dedicated testing center.

Pierre de Villeméjane, Partner and Co-Head of KPS Mid-Cap Investments, said, “We are excited to acquire Catalyst, a differentiated acoustical solutions manufacturer with diverse capabilities, broad product development competencies and an attractive customer base with a best-in-class manufacturer representative network.  We look forward to partnering with Chief Executive Officer, Joe Lupone, and the Catalyst team to accelerate growth opportunities driven by investment in the Company’s business and operations.  Catalyst’s manufacturing expertise, commitment to quality and strong customer relationships, combined with KPS’ strategic, operational and financial resources on a global scale, provide an ideal platform for future growth.  We intend to expand the business both organically and through strategic acquisitions.”

Joe Lupone, Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst, said, “KPS, with its demonstrated track record of manufacturing excellence is the ideal next owner of Catalyst as it enters this next phase of growth.  We look forward to working closely together with KPS and our talented team to expand our technical leadership in acoustics technology and continue delivering new and exciting high-quality products and solutions that deliver significant value for our customers.  Catalyst is well-positioned to benefit from strong growth potential driven by the ongoing adoption of acoustical solutions across diverse applications and leverage its unique position in the market.”

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to KPS. Baird and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP served as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to Catalyst.

About Catalyst

Catalyst Acoustics Group, Inc. is the parent company of a leading group of acoustic, seismic, vibration and noise control companies offering the broadest portfolio of noise control solutions currently in the market.  The independent brands, channels to market, products and services offered by each business remain unique, while leveraging the deep functional expertise, broad channel reach, significant financial resources, and significantly larger scale of the combined company.  For more information about Catalyst or its group of companies, visit www.catalystacoustics.com.