Houlihan Lokey Advises Farsound Aviation

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Farsound Aviation Limited (Farsound), a portfolio company of Rubicon Partners, has been acquired by AGIC Capital (AGIC). The transaction closed on July 12, 2019.

Farsound is a leading global supply chain solutions provider focused on managing fast-moving, C-class and B-class aeroengine parts for aerospace MRO facilities overhauling commercial aeroengines. Farsound manages the procurement and supply of C-class and B-class parts for an increasingly complex and diverse global network of more than 300 suppliers, 20,000 part numbers, and 120 customers. The company creates substantial value by providing turnkey solutions for C-class and B-class parts' procurement, a process that is highly time- and resource-consuming for MRO shops, enabling customers to complete engine overhauls on time and on budget. The company, headquartered in Romford, United Kingdom, has a global footprint, with a presence across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Rubicon Partners is an investment partnership focused on acquiring complex industrial businesses across the U.K. and Europe. Over the past 26 years, the firm has acquired 74 industrial manufacturing, distribution, and service companies, ranging in value from £15 million to £250 million. Rubicon focuses on opportunities for long-term value creation by working closely with company management in addressing strategic opportunities and operational performance. The firm has extensive experience in acquiring from private family ownership, retiring owner-managers, corporations, and private equity funds.

AGIC is a European-Asian investment partnership, which focuses on investment opportunities in high-quality industrial and med-tech companies in Europe. AGIC seeks to leverage its unique global setup and cross-border resources, with an emphasis on Asia, for sustainable growth in its portfolio companies. AGIC is managed by a team of 12 investment professionals based across its offices in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Munich.

Houlihan Lokey was able to leverage its wealth of experience in aeroengine manufacturing, MRO, and distribution services to fully convey Farsound's unique business model and value proposition. Both strategic and financial partners were considered, with the resulting transaction best matching the objectives set by Rubicon and Farsound. Further, the transaction showcased Houlihan Lokey's unique offering of industry expertise, global collaboration, and relationships spanning multiple continents.

Houlihan Lokey served as exclusive financial advisor and assisted in marketing, structuring, and negotiating the transaction on behalf of Rubicon Partners and Farsound.