Catalyst Acoustics Group Acquires Fräsch, LLC

July 15, 2020

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS – JULY 15, 2020. Catalyst Acoustics Group, Inc. (“Catalyst Acoustics Group”), a portfolio company of The Stephens Group, LLC (“The Stephens Group”) and a platform for an elite group of acoustic, seismic, vibration and noise control companies that together offer the broadest portfolio of noise control solutions in the market, announced today that it finalized its acquisition of Fräsch, LLC.

Fräsch, based in Arlington, Texas, provides a broad offering of innovative polyester products, including wall panels, ceiling treatments, baffles, dividers, partitions, and acoustic lighting. The company was founded in 2016 by Gary Nightingale and Slavka Younger-Nightingale and since then, has seen fast growth in the polyester based, aesthetic acoustics space.

“This acquisition is very exciting for us,” said Joe Lupone, CEO of Catalyst Acoustics Group. “Polyester based products have experienced extraordinary and impressive growth in the acoustics space over the past few years. Fräsch is an exciting innovator and brings the product and technical expertise along with the marketing panache it takes to be a leading brand. With the backing and support of Catalyst Acoustics Group, Fräsch is poised for continued growth and success.”

Grant Jones, Managing Director at The Stephens Group, added, “We are pleased to support Catalyst Acoustics Group in their acquisition and welcome Fräsch to our family of companies. The addition of Fräsch and their polyester based products will not only broaden our product portfolio offering but also bolster our technical expertise, helping us with our goal of delivering world-class noise control solutions.”

Co-founders Gary and Slavka as well as all the Fräsch employees will remain with the company and day-to-day operations will not change. Gary Nightingale added, “We are both eager and excited to join Catalyst Acoustics Group. Fräsch has made tremendous progress building our brand in the architecture and design communities. With the financial support and the sales and marketing assets that come with being a part of Catalyst Acoustics, I feel confident that we will accelerate our current growth at a precipitous pace while continuing to fuel the innovation and creativity that architects and designers are hungry for.”

ABOUT CATALYST ACOUSTICS GROUP, INC.

Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, Catalyst Acoustics Group is the parent company of an elite group of acoustic, seismic, vibration and noise control companies that together, offer the broadest portfolio of noise control solutions in the market today. The independent brands, channels to market, products and services offered by each business remain unique, while leveraging the scale, deep functional expertise, broad channel reach and significant financial resources.

ABOUT THE STEPHENS GROUP, LLC

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private investment firm that partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses. Backed by the resources of the Stephens family, The Stephens Group has a long history of providing sophisticated, strategic expertise and taking a partnership approach to help companies successfully achieve their strategic visions and build long-term value. With over $1.5 billion invested since 2006, The Stephens Group targets investments in industries across the U.S., including industrial and commercial products and services, specialty distribution, B2B food and consumer products, technology infrastructure and tech-enabled services, as well as select opportunistic situations.