Barings Provides Mezzanine Debt, Equity Co-Investment to Support J.F. Lehman and Company’s Acquisition of BEI Precision Systems

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 18, 2017 -- Barings, one of the world’s leading asset management firms, announced today that it served as lead agent and provided mezzanine debt and an equity co-investment to support J.F. Lehman and Company (JFLCO) in its acquisition of BEI Precision Systems & Space Company, Inc.

Headquartered in Maurmelle, Arkansas, BEI designs and manufactures highly accurate optical encoders, flight worthy accelerometers, infrared optical scanners and encoder-based motion control systems for military, space, aviation, and range instrumentation markets. The company is a market leader in several of the segments where it competes and is a sole-source provider to key and prestigious satellite and defense programs.

“J.F. Lehman is pleased to partner with Barings on our investment in BEI Precision Systems,” said Stephen L. Brooks, partner at JFLCO. “Barings continues to earn its reputation as a reliable partner offering deep middle-market expertise and the responsiveness and flexibility needed when speed, ease of execution and certainty of closing are critical.”

“Barings greatly values our longstanding relationship with J.F. Lehman and Company and we are excited to participate in this investment,” said Bob Shettle, managing director and co-head of Barings’ North American Private Finance Group. “With its expertise in the defense, aerospace and maritime sectors, J.F. Lehman is the perfect partner to help BEI leverage its market leadership and grow the business organically and through complementary acquisitions.”

About J.F. Lehman & Company
Founded in 1992, J.F. Lehman & Company is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors. The firm has offices in New York and Washington. For more information about J.F. Lehman & Company, please visit www.jflpartners.com.

About Barings LLC
Barings is a $280 billion* global asset management firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients. We build lasting partnerships that leverage our distinctive expertise across traditional and alternative asset classes to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service. A member of the MassMutual Financial Group, Barings maintains a strong global presence with over 1,700 employees and 600 investment professionals across 41 offices in 17 countries. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*As of March 31, 2017

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Contact:  
Brian Whelan, Barings, 704.805.7244, [email protected]