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08.01.2024

Acquisition Announcement: Air Automation Engineering

Zelienople, PA - August 1, 2024 —Motion & Control Enterprises (“MCE”) announced today that it has acquired Air Automation Engineering, Inc. (“AAE” or the “Company”).

Founded in 1978, AAE is a distributor of automation products and automated tooling solutions to end-users and OEMs across the Upper Midwest. The Company also offers a wide range of value-added solutions including robotic, PLC and DC tool programming; calibration; and electric, pneumatic and DC assembly tool repair, and is a factory authorized service center for Epson robots. AAE is based in Fridley, MN and has an additional location in Fargo, ND. The Company will continue to operate under the Air Automation Engineering name under the continued leadership of Brian Steele and Paul Wood.

“We are very excited to welcome Brian, Paul, and the talented AAE team to the MCE family,” said Charles Hale, Chairman & CEO of MCE. “AAE expands our automation business into new markets, products, and served geographies.” Hale continued by noting that “the partnership will deepen our offering of automation solutions from leading automation OEMs in the market."

Brian Steele, one of AAE’s former owners, commented, “We are very excited to join MCE and feel this will be a great opportunity for our employees, customers, and suppliers. We view MCE as a growth partner to expand our automation capabilities going into the future.”

About Motion & Control Enterprises
Founded in 1951, MCE is a supplier of technical fluid power, automation, flow control, rotating equipment products, filtration, service, and repair solutions. The Company serves more than 31,000 OEM and end-user customers from 58 facilities located in 17 states. For more information, please visit mceautomation.com.

About Frontenac
Frontenac is a Chicago-based private equity firm. The firm focuses on investing in lower middle market buyout transactions in the consumer, industrial, and services industries. Frontenac works in partnership with established operating leaders, through an executive-centric approach called CEO1ST®, which seeks to identify, acquire, and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and operational excellence. Over the last 50+ years, Frontenac has built a franchise working with over 300 owners of mid-sized businesses as they address complex transition issues of liquidity, management enhancement, and growth planning. For more information, please visit frontenac.com.

About Air Automation Engineering
AAE is a distributor of automation products and automated tooling solutions to end-users and OEMs across the Upper Midwest. For more information, please visit airautomation.com.

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