DALLAS, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Blackland Aerospace, LP, the aerospace component manufacturing platform of Dallas based private equity firm, Blackland Group, LLC, has acquired Lewis Machine Company. Lewis Machine, based in East Hartford, Connecticut, specializes in manufacturing complex precision-machined components for clients in the commercial and military jet engine, airframe, missile and power plant industries. Lewis supplies engine components for most major U.S. fighter platforms, including the F-15, F-16, F-22 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. They also make engine components for most commercial airliners including Boeing 737, 747, 767 and 777 and Airbus A320, A330 and A380. Lewis Machine was represented by Lyons Solutions, LLC.

“Blackland has an excellent track record with operational improvements, dating back to the days of George Group Consulting. Using Lean Six Sigma principles to improve quality, lead time, and on-time delivery, our focus on increasing competitiveness to grow businesses will help us take Lewis Machine to the next level,” said Gary Aicher, CEO, Blackland Aerospace.

Mike George, Blackland Group’s President, stated, “This is the third acquisition in fourteen months for Blackland Aerospace, reaffirming our commitment to building a leading platform in the sector. Lewis Machine is an excellent addition to our portfolio, with 50 years of history manufacturing highly differentiated jet engine components.”

About Blackland Aerospace, LP

Blackland Aerospace is an aerospace component manufacturing company focused on aircraft wheel & brake and jet engine components. In addition to Lewis Machine, Blackland Aerospace owns two other component manufacturers, Kessington and Prikos & Becker. Kessington is a manufacturer of small, extremely close tolerance components used in critical aerospace applications (engines, landing gear, wheel and brake) located in Elkhart, Indiana. Prikos & Becker, is a Skokie, Illinois based manufacturer, specializing in intricate assemblies requiring metal fabrications (stamping, forming, laser cutting, machining, spot welding and laser welding), with a particular expertise in manufacturing landing gear heat shields.

About Blackland Group, LLC

Blackland Group, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in middle market and lower middle market buyout transactions. The firm seeks to invest in aerospace, defense and differentiated niche manufacturers. The firm prefers to invest in the Continental United States. It typically invests in companies with annual revenue between $10 million and $50 million, with a minimum EBITDA of $2 million. The firm prefers to take a controlling interest in its portfolio companies and may co-invest with strategic partners and management. Blackland Group, LLC is based in Dallas, Texas.

For more information, please contact:

Michael L. George

President

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