Private Equity Firm Juniper Capital Management Closes Initial Platform Investment

(September 6, 2017)

Dallas – Juniper Capital Management (“Juniper”) is pleased to announce its growth capital investment in Washougal, Washington-based Ballard Marine Construction, LLC (“Ballard” or “the Company”), a family-owned, market leader and premier solutions provider in the infrastructure services industry. This represents the first portfolio addition for Juniper, a Dallas-based private equity firm that seeks to execute control investments in growth-oriented companies within the manufacturing, industrial products and services, and infrastructure services sectors.

Ballard, originally an underwater diving specialty company, has grown over the past 16 years into a turn-key general contractor serving a variety of clients in the hydropower, tunneling, industrial, nuclear, water utilities and marine industries worldwide. The Company provides various services in the areas of underwater construction, underwater inspection and surveying, environmental / remediation, plant maintenance, ship husbandry, and contaminated and potable water diving under a wide variety of contract types, including CMAR, EPC and Design-Build.

Juniper, a major investor, will focus its efforts on providing strategic assistance to continue strengthening the operating foundation that will help support the Company’s exponential growth.

“We are delighted that Ballard is our initial platform investment and about partnering with such a dynamic leadership team,” said Lou Grabowsky, Juniper’s co-founding partner. “This team has established themselves as a true solutions provider to a critical industry segment in the global markets. The team’s thoughtfulness in how they have built the operating model and business processes is frankly unique and virtually unparalleled in my experience.”

“The investment by Juniper achieves a critical strategic growth initiative for our company,” said Jesse Hutton, president and CEO of Ballard. “We worked closely with Lou and Bryan for over a year to develop a well-thought-out plan to increase Ballard’s financial capacity and infrastructure and take advantage of key opportunities in our markets. This was a very positive experience that has resulted in a close and collaborative relationship that will benefit our Company and our clients for years to come.”

Juniper is focused on investment opportunities in U.S.-based companies with revenue between $25 million and $75 million, EBITDA of $2 million or more, a proven and sustainable business model, and management teams desiring a strategic partner to help facilitate growth.

“Juniper’s strategy is based on the development of collaborative partnerships with leadership teams of companies that have a strong heritage, a solid foundation and the ambition to drive significant growth in a controlled manner,” said Bryan Grabowsky, Juniper’s co-founding partner. “Our goal is to assist these companies in the achievement of unrealized market potential including critical transitions. We also aim to deliver solid returns for our investors by achieving additional value in our portfolio companies through organic growth, operational improvements and strategic acquisitions.”

Juniper is distinct from other private equity firms in terms of its long-term investment horizon, the team’s significant hands-on industry and operating experience, and its strict focus on the power and importance of human relationships.

“We understand that companies with great market potential may simply need access to capital and thoughtful, well-informed guidance from the right partner to achieve their strategic objectives,” said Lou Grabowsky. “The team we have assembled has extensive experience, a broad global network of business relationships and a proven record of executing disciplined, comprehensive strategies that create value. Having collaborated with numerous entrepreneurs across a wide array of industries, we know how to advise management teams and boards of directors with critical business performance issues.”