Apax to buy Amalco as deal spree continues

It’s the latest in a string of deal-making for Apax, including an undisclosed stake in weight loss specialist Ideal Protein in September and a controlling interest inFullbeauty Brands, a direct-to-consumer apparel maker for the plus-size market, in August. In July, Apax invested in idealista, an online real estate marketplace.

Amalco operates as a fourth-generation, family-owned business founded byHenry Brucker, the oldest of nine children who launched the enterprise after the death of his father, according to the company’s website.

Now based in Mountainside, New Jersey, Amalco sells contract metal-forming services in the automotive, aviation, brazing, communications, defense, electrical, food processing and other industries.

Amalco’s client list includes AT&T Technologies, BAE Systems, Becton Dickinson, Boeing, General Dynamics, General Electric Co, Honeywell andNovartis, among others.

Apax received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission last month for the acquisition, according to a filing.

Apax disclosed nine billion euros (about $10 billion) raised for Apax VIII in 2012, according to a filing.

Apax focuses on deals in four main areas: consumer, healhcare, services and technology/telecommunications.

A spokesman for Apax declined to comment on the Amalco deal. Amalco didn’t respond to an email requesting comment.

Apax typically invests in large companies with enterprise values ranging from about $1.1 billion to $5.5 billion. All told, it’s advised funds valued at  more than $38 billion as of March 31, according to its website.