WEST MELBOURNE, Fla., Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Montage Partners, a private equity firm known for its people-first approach, continues its growth trajectory with its 20th investment. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based firm has announced a strategic partnership with Military Fasteners, a leading B2B eCommerce distributor specializing in mission-critical mil-spec fasteners for the aerospace and defense sectors. This investment, alongside the appointment of David Ficadenti as the new CEO, is set to fuel Military Fasteners’ rapid expansion and solidify Montage Partners‘ commitment to fostering growth in established businesses.
Military Fasteners, founded in 2016, has quickly become a disruptive force in the aerospace and defense fastener supply chain. The company’s pioneering embrace of eCommerce has resonated strongly with a new generation of procurement professionals who prioritize digital-first solutions. This focus on online accessibility, coupled with an extensive inventory and exceptional customer support, has propelled Military Fasteners to achieve a remarkable fivefold revenue increase since 2019. Their commitment to readily available stock and swift online order fulfillment is crucial for minimizing downtime in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations within the aerospace and defense industries.
“Military Fasteners is a vital component of the aerospace and defense ecosystem, ensuring the seamless operation of critical fleets,” stated Rob Wolfman, co-Managing Partner at Montage Partners. “Their dedication to exceeding customer expectations with every order has been the bedrock of their impressive growth. We deeply admire what the team has accomplished and are eager to collaborate with David to drive further innovation and enhance customer success.”
David Ficadenti, the incoming CEO, brings a wealth of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, most recently serving as Vice President, Corporate Development and Licensing at Honeywell. His proven leadership in driving growth and managing complex business units, including achieving record-setting results at Honeywell’s Strategic Licensing business, positions him perfectly to lead Military Fasteners into its next phase of development.
“I am excited to join forces with Montage Partners and lead Military Fasteners into a period of accelerated growth,” commented Ficadenti. “Montage’s people-centric philosophy and long-term investment perspective resonate deeply with my leadership principles. Military Fasteners’ innovative business model is truly unique within the aerospace and defense sector, and I look forward to working alongside Rebekah Disser, Director of Operations, and the entire team to build upon their outstanding achievements.”
Chris Norwood, Vice President at Montage Partners, added, “David is an ideal leader for Military Fasteners as the company stands at a significant growth inflection point. This partnership embodies the win-win-win scenario we aim for through our Successor President ProgramTM, connecting exceptional leaders with promising businesses. David’s deep industry knowledge combined with Rebekah’s operational expertise provides a robust foundation for the Company’s continued success.”
Looking ahead, strategic investments are planned in key areas such as personnel, marketing, and business development to capture a larger share of the market. Furthermore, the establishment of a new distribution center in Phoenix, AZ, is on the horizon. This expansion will significantly reduce shipping times and enhance service delivery to customers located in major aerospace and defense hubs across the US, including Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Wichita. Rebekah Disser will continue in her role as Director of Operations, playing a crucial role in implementing these strategic initiatives in partnership with Ficadenti.
“I am enthusiastic about leading Military Fasteners into our next chapter with David and Montage Partners,” shared Disser. “We have already established a leading online catalog of fasteners and are committed to providing the fastest order fulfillment in the industry. With David’s expertise and Montage Partners’ proven track record in scaling businesses, I am confident in our ability to expand our offerings and enhance our capabilities even further.”
The investment transaction was officially completed on August 26, 2024. Montage Partners received legal counsel from Osborn Maledon, P.A.
About Montage Partners
Founded in 2004, Montage Partners, with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Salt Lake City, Utah, is a people-first private equity firm focused on enabling transformative growth for established businesses. Montage Partners invests in companies based in the U.S. or Canada with EBITDA ranging from $1.5 million to $7 million across various sectors, including technology and professional services, healthcare, industrial products and services, and consumer markets. The firm prioritizes investment in exceptional leadership teams above all other criteria.
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