The Stephens Group, Completes LLC, a private investment firm with a long history of partnering with exceptional companies, has announced the acquisition of Astro Pak LLC . a leading provider of high-purity and precision cleaning services for critical and highly regulated industries. This strategic transaction underscores The Stephens Group’s focus on investing in businesses with market leadership, recurring revenue models, and strong cultural alignment. With this acquisition, The Stephens Group aims to support Astro Pak’s continued growth while preserving its legacy of excellence and commitment to delivering unparalleled value to customers.
A Legacy of Excellence in High-Purity Cleaning
Founded in 1959, Astro Pak has established itself as an industry leader, renowned for its ability to meet the most stringent standards of cleanliness, compliance, efficiency, and operational integrity. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including on-site, shop, and cleanroom solutions such as passivation, derouging, electropolishing, mechanical polishing, sanitization, biofilm removal, oxygen cleaning, and other precision cleaning techniques. These services cater to a wide range of industries where micron-level cleanliness and regulatory compliance are mission-critical, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, semiconductors, aerospace and defense, and other industrial markets.
Astro Pak’s success is rooted in decades of proprietary formulations and technical expertise, enabling the Company to deliver the most effective high-purity and precision cleaning processes available. These processes not only ensure compliance with rigorous industry standards but also enhance equipment longevity, reduce asset downtime, and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging its deep knowledge and innovative solutions, Astro Pak has become the go-to partner for customers seeking reliable and high-quality cleaning services.
Stephens Group’s Vision for Partnership
The acquisition of Astro Pak aligns perfectly with The Stephens Group’s investment philosophy, which emphasizes collaboration with talented management teams to build valuable businesses over the long term. Jack Nadal, Managing Director at The Stephens Group, highlighted the Company’s unique strengths:
Astro Pak is the clear leader in its space, serving industries where micron-level cleanliness and associated compliance are mission-critical. The Company’s diversified and recurring revenue model, proprietary formulations, technical capabilities, and exceptional culture make it an ideal fit for our firm. We look forward to working closely with the Astro Pak team to support their next phase of growth while maintaining their strong culture and legacy of excellence.
Witt Stephens, Jr., CEO of The Stephens Group, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of partnership and shared values:
“Astro Pak became a market leader through years of excellent, dedicated service to its customers. We are excited to partner with Astro Pak and its people to continue that legacy and strengthen it even further in the future.”
This acquisition reflects The Stephens Group’s commitment to investing in businesses with strong market positions and compliance-driven revenue models. By providing permanent capital and extensive human capital resources, The Stephens Group aims to empower Astro Pak to achieve its strategic vision while preserving the culture that has defined its success.
A Strategic Fit for Growth
Ken Carroll, President of Astro Pak, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with The Stephens Group, citing their deep understanding of the business and alignment with Astro Pak’s values:
When evaluating potential investors, Stephens Group stood out for their deep understanding of our business and target markets, coupled with a founder-led culture. Their extensive human capital resources, cultural alignment, long-term perspective, and permanent capital base make them the ideal partner to help us achieve our vision. With their support, we will continue delivering exceptional value to our customers while preserving the incredible culture that has defined Astro Pak.
The Stephens Group’s investment provides Astro Pak with the resources and expertise needed to expand its service offerings, enhance its technological capabilities, and explore new opportunities in existing and emerging markets. By combining Astro Pak’s industry-leading expertise with The Stephens Group’s operational and financial acumen, the partnership is poised to drive significant value creation for customers, employees, and stakeholders.
About Astro Pak
Astro Pak is a trusted provider of high-purity and precision cleaning services, serving critical industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, semiconductors, aerospace and defense, and more. Since its founding in 1959, Astro Pak has been committed to ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, compliance, and operational excellence for its customers. The Company’s proprietary formulations and technical expertise enable it to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of highly regulated industries.
Astro Pak’s services play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and performance of critical systems and components, from pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment to aerospace components. By reducing downtime, extending equipment life, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, Astro Pak helps its customers achieve their operational and strategic goals.
About The Stephens Group, LLC
The Stephens Group, is a private investment firm backed by the resources of the Witt Stephens and Elizabeth Campbell families. With over $2 billion of private equity assets under management, the firm partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses across a variety of industries. Since its founding in 2006, The Stephens Group has invested in over 50 companies, targeting investments in sectors such as industrial products and services, specialty distribution, and vertical software.
The firm combines the operational expertise of a private equity firm with the flexibility provided by long-term capital, enabling it to support portfolio companies through all stages of growth. The Stephens Group is known for its collaborative approach, working closely with owners and managers to help them achieve their strategic visions and create lasting value.
