Graham Partners Lands a Winner

August 20th, 2014

PHILADELPHIA

Graham Partners, a private investment firm focused on investing in businesses with advanced industrial technologies, innovative product offerings, and strong growth potential, is pleased to announce its majority investment in Desser Tire & Rubber Company and affiliated companies, Aero Wheel & Brake Service Corporation and Cee Bailey’s Aircraft Plastics (collectively, “Desser”). Desser is primarily a leading supplier of aircraft tires and tubes from its Los Angeles and Memphis facilities to customers in over 100 countries.

Graham Partners has been proactively seeking to make investments in the aviation product aftermarket, which Desser serves. Desser was sourced on a proprietary basis, as a result of this sector focus coupled with Graham’s experience and extensive relationships in the aerospace industry. Family-owned and operated since 1920, and exclusively focused on aviation markets since 1985, Desser supplies new aircraft tires, as well as other aviation products. Desser also holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approvals for high speed aircraft tire retreading and wheel and brake services, and produces aviation transparencies for aftermarket applications.

Graham Partners seeks not only to invest capital, but also to utilize its longstanding industry knowledge, resources, and contacts to improve operations and promote growth for its portfolio companies. Graham intends to leverage its operating resources and industry expertise to capitalize on Desser’s strong brand name and reputation. One of Graham’s strategic objectives is to expand Desser’s specialized aviation supplier capabilities by offering more products to its loyal customer base.

Chris Lawler, Managing Principal at Graham Partners, states, “Desser is an established market leader with unparalleled name recognition among customers for aircraft tires and unique capabilities; we look forward to partnering with Desser’s management team to build upon Desser’s record of success as a specialized aviation product supplier.”

Steve Chlavin, CEO of Desser, adds, “After being a family-owned business for nearly 100 years, we believe Graham Partners will provide resources to facilitate Desser’s growth and deliver expertise that will allow us to achieve our vision for Desser’s future potential.”

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chris Lawler (clawler@grahampartners.net)
Christina Morin (cmorin@grahampartners.net)
Tel: (610) 408-0500 / Fax: (610) 408-0600
www.grahampartners.net
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