GWS Tool Group Acquires Intrepid Tool Industries and North American Tool Corporation

L Squared Capital Partners Recapitalizes GWS Tool Group

September 18, 2019

Manufacturing

L Squared Capital Partners has partnered with GWS Tool Group management to recapitalize GWS Tool Group, with participation from incumbent sponsor Addison Capital Partners; financial terms were not disclosed. The recapitalization (with debt led by Varagon Capital Partners) provides a long-term capital base to support GWS’s acquisition-driven growth, geographic expansion, and continued investment in people and facilities.

Sandvik Acquires GWS Tool Group from L Squared Capital Partners

November 22, 2021

Manufacturing

Sandvik AB has agreed to acquire GWS Tool Group from L Squared Capital Partners and GWS management; GWS will be reported within Walter, Sandvik's machining solutions division. GWS, a Tavares, Florida-based manufacturer of made-to-order cutting tools (including PCD tools and taps) with ~490 employees and nearly $100M in revenue, was grown via multiple add-ons under L Squared; the purchase price was not disclosed and the deal is expected to close in Q4 2021.

GWS Tool Group Acquires Taurus Tool & Engineering

January 19, 2021

Manufacturing

GWS Tool Group, a portfolio company of L Squared Capital Partners, has acquired Taurus Tool & Engineering, a Batavia, Illinois-based manufacturer of precision custom cutting tools. The transaction is an add-on acquisition that expands GWS's capabilities in high-speed steel (HSS) and carbide hole-making and milling tools for aerospace and automotive applications.

GWS Tool Group Acquires STF Precision

October 20, 2020

Manufacturing

GWS Tool Group, a portfolio company of L Squared Capital Partners, has acquired STF Precision, a North Carolina-based manufacturer of precision PCD, SCD and CBN cutting tools. The add-on strengthens GWS's product capabilities in rotary PCD/CBN tooling and expands its manufacturing footprint into the Carolinas; STF's leadership will remain with GWS in operational roles.

GWS Tool Group Acquires CJT Koolcarb, Inc. and GenHam Diamond Tooling

April 20, 2021

Manufacturing

L Squared Capital Partners' portfolio company GWS Tool Group has acquired CJT Koolcarb, Inc. and its PCD operating subsidiary GenHam Diamond Tooling. CJT (Carol Stream, IL) produces carbide and carbide-tipped drills and reamers while GenHam supplies diamond/PCD tooling; the add-on expands GWS's holemaking capabilities and capacity across aerospace, automotive and other advanced machining markets. The deal is GWS's second acquisition in 2021 and the fifth add-on since L Squared's platform investment in 2019.

CIS Secure Acquires Intrepid Solutions and Services

August 3, 2022

Cybersecurity

HKW portfolio company CIS Secure Computing, Inc. acquired Intrepid Solutions and Services, LLC to expand its information technology modernization, data analysis/cybersecurity, and intelligence training capabilities for defense and intelligence customers. The deal, announced August 3, 2022, creates a vertically integrated organization combining CIS Secure's secure collaboration and tactical communications technology with Intrepid's services expertise; financial terms were not disclosed.