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BlackArch Partners Advises NCS on its Recapitalization by AEA Investors

CHARLOTTE, NC – BlackArch Partners (“BlackArch”) is pleased to announce the recapitalization of National Carwash Solutions (“NCS” or the “Company”), a former portfolio company of Trivest Partners (“Trivest”), by the AEA Investors Small Business Fund (“AEA”).

NCS, headquartered in Grimes, Iowa, is the leading service and systems provider to the North American car wash industry. Management has established the largest direct, end-to-end customer service and support network with over 250 service technicians nationwide. Complementing the service suite is the widest selection of car wash systems, accessories and parts under the Ryko (www.Ryko.com) and MacNeil (www.MacNeilwash.com) brands, as well as a complete line of cleaning fluid solutions. This comprehensive offering allows NCS to address nearly every customer need throughout the lifecycle of a car wash system. For more information, please visit the Company’s website – www.NationalCarwashSolutions.com.

Mike Gillen, CEO of NCS, commented: “BlackArch provided superior leadership, fact-based counsel, and a tailored approach from pitch to close based on our goals and objectives. The entire BlackArch team partnered and integrated with our team seamlessly to provide the support we needed to deliver a successful outcome. Most importantly, we were afforded several compelling options for the shareholders and closed the process in partnership with a sponsor eager to support our growth plan. We look forward to working with BlackArch again in the future.”

In addition, Russ Wilson, Partner of Trivest, said: “From pitch to closing, the BlackArch team was exemplary. BlackArch’s thoughtful and high-touch marketing process, focused senior attention and deep market/buyer insight, make the firm the preeminent sell-side advisor for great middle-market companies. We are proud to count BlackArch as a key partner and appreciate all of their hard work to make the NCS transaction a success.”

BlackArch was retained by NCS’s management team and financial sponsor, Trivest, to serve as exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. The NCS transaction builds upon BlackArch’s significant momentum with market-leading and high-growth platform companies in the middle market, and leverages deep sector experience in both Business & Professional Services, Automotive Aftermarket and Diversified Industrials

About Trivest Partners
Trivest Partners is a private investment firm that focuses on partnering with founder/family-owned businesses in the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1981, Trivest has completed more than 250 transactions, totaling almost $6 billion in value. For additional information, please visit www.trivest.com.

About AEA Investors
AEA Investors LP was founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon, and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. as a private investment vehicle for a select group of industrial family offices with substantial assets. AEA’s active individual investors (the “Participants”) include an extraordinary network of more than 75 of the world’s leading industrial families, business executives and former government leaders. Today, AEA’s approximately 60 investment professionals operate globally with offices in New York, Connecticut, London, Munich and Shanghai. The firm manages funds that have approximately $10.0 billion of invested and committed capital including the leveraged buyouts of middle market companies and small business companies and mezzanine and senior debt investments. AEA Private Equity invests across four sectors: value added industrial products, specialty chemicals, consumer / retail and services. For additional information, please visit www.aeainvestors.com. 

About BlackArch Partners
BlackArch Partners is a leading middle-market investment bank offering merger and acquisition, strategic advisory and private capital solutions to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. Please visit www.blackarchpartners.com for more details.