Key Takeaways
- • Align Business Advisory Services facilitated the acquisition of Aquaphase, a water treatment solutions provider, by C&S Chemical in a transaction completed on an accelerated timeline.
- • The deal followed a highly competitive process that attracted significant interest from multiple strategic acquirers nationwide, enabling shareholders to evaluate several high-quality options before selecting C&S Chemical.
- • Aquaphase founders Jason Gray and Melissa Davis emphasized cultural and values alignment with C&S Chemical as the primary driver of the transaction, with both founders planning to remain actively involved in the company's continued growth.
- • The transaction exemplifies a well-executed lower middle market M&A process, with Dena Jalbert, CEO of Align Business Advisory Services, citing the strength of buyer conviction and quality of the Aquaphase platform as factors enabling rapid deal progression.
Summary
Align Business Advisory Services, a lower middle market M&A advisory firm based in Winter Park, Florida, announced the successful completion of its advisory engagement on the acquisition of Aquaphase by C&S Chemical. Aquaphase operates as a provider of water treatment solutions and attracted substantial buyer interest during a competitive sales process led by Align.
The transaction was characterized by accelerated deal progression and strong buyer conviction. Dena Jalbert, CEO of Align Business Advisory Services, noted that the competitive nature of the process—which drew interest from multiple strategic acquirers across the country—created favorable conditions for shareholders. This competitive tension allowed Aquaphase's ownership to evaluate multiple acquisition partners and ultimately select one offering both strategic alignment and long-term growth prospects.
Aquaphase founders Jason Gray and Melissa Davis highlighted the importance of cultural fit and shared values in their decision to partner with C&S Chemical. Both founders emphasized that customer focus and employee welfare remained central to their partner selection criteria, and both indicated plans to remain actively involved in Aquaphase's operations under C&S Chemical's ownership. Gray and Davis characterized the transaction as "the perfect next chapter for Aquaphase and our incredible team," signaling continuity in management and strategy following the acquisition.
Align's engagement demonstrates the value of structured, competitive M&A processes in the lower middle market segment. The firm's coordination of market outreach, shareholder management, and deal progression through closing underscores institutional best practices for transactions in this buyer-seller dynamic.
The transaction was characterized by accelerated deal progression and strong buyer conviction. Dena Jalbert, CEO of Align Business Advisory Services, noted that the competitive nature of the process—which drew interest from multiple strategic acquirers across the country—created favorable conditions for shareholders. This competitive tension allowed Aquaphase's ownership to evaluate multiple acquisition partners and ultimately select one offering both strategic alignment and long-term growth prospects.
Aquaphase founders Jason Gray and Melissa Davis highlighted the importance of cultural fit and shared values in their decision to partner with C&S Chemical. Both founders emphasized that customer focus and employee welfare remained central to their partner selection criteria, and both indicated plans to remain actively involved in Aquaphase's operations under C&S Chemical's ownership. Gray and Davis characterized the transaction as "the perfect next chapter for Aquaphase and our incredible team," signaling continuity in management and strategy following the acquisition.
Align's engagement demonstrates the value of structured, competitive M&A processes in the lower middle market segment. The firm's coordination of market outreach, shareholder management, and deal progression through closing underscores institutional best practices for transactions in this buyer-seller dynamic.
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