Capstone Partners Advised ConcealFab on its Sale to Valmont Industries, Inc

Denver, CO – Capstone Partners, a leading middle market investment banking firm, sees growth ahead for 5G concealment technology providers with the recent acquisition of ConcealFab (“the Company”)—an industry leader in 5G infrastructure and passive intermodulation mitigation solutions—by Valmont Industries, Inc. (Valmont). 

Paul Janson, Chief Operating Officer at Capstone and Head of the firm’s Telecom Investment Banking Group, advised ConcealFab on the transaction and commented, “the Telecom sector generally, and specifically anything related to 5G, continues to be a very active sector for Capstone. The acquisition of ConcealFab illustrates the elevated demand for associated infrastructure as the 5G deployment continues.”  

Major wireless carriers are deploying 5G infrastructure across North America to meet the growing demand for high-speed mobile data and other emerging 5G use cases. With speeds nearly 30 times faster than 4G in the U.S., 5G significantly reduces latency and expands bandwidth capability, handling significantly more traffic at much higher speeds. The new networks and associated technologies are expected to add $17 trillion to global economic growth by 2035, according to tech market firm ABI Research. 

5G signals operate at a higher wave frequency than 4G and are much more easily blocked by objects, meaning antennas must be placed much closer together and in much greater volume. Municipalities are encouraging the rollout of 5G—in 2018, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) released its 5G Fast Plan, which called for cities, utilities, and cell and cable providers to partner in an effort to facilitate an expedited 5G roll out across the U.S.—but cities such as Baltimore, Maryland and Arvada, Colorado quickly passed legislation requiring that cell carriers disguise, camouflage, or obscure their small-cell antennas. Demand for concealment solutions providers such as ConcealFab is poised to accelerate as regulatory bodies continue to mandate concealment as part of this expansive 5G rollout plan. 

ConcealFab was one of the first players to apply concealment technology to small cell antennas during the 4G telecom phase. The company currently holds six patents and has 31 additional patents pending for concealment and passive interference mitigation. This depth of experience and strong patent portfolio—paired with rapid engineering and prototyping capabilities and a scalable in-house manufacturing platform—positioned them well to capitalize on the 5G deployment the industry is currently experiencing. 

“As an early innovator in 5G and small-cell infrastructure, ConcealFab has been bridging the gap between an evolving technology and market needs for 15 years… Valmont’s global manufacturing footprint and established presence with key stakeholders uniquely position us to meet the anticipated ramp in demand for telecom infrastructure across the US and beyond,” said ConcealFab CEO Jonathan Fitzhugh. 

Capstone anticipates this demand for concealment technology to persist as the 5G rollout continues and appetite for 5G-dependent technology such as self-driving cars climbs, laying the groundwork for providers to capitalize on significant revenue opportunities.  

Learn more about the transaction here.    

ABOUT CONCEALFAB

Founded in 2007 in Colorado Springs, CO., ConcealFab has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Telecom industry. Their success is a result of their first-to-market innovation, customer-centric fulfillment strategy, and ability to design, manufacture, and meet ever-changing and specific industry demands. ConcealFab’s partnerships with wireless operators, utilities, and major OEMs have also been a key driver in their rapid growth and will continue to support future expansion. For more information, visit www.concealfab.com

ABOUT VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Valmont Industries Inc. is a global leader in creating vital infrastructure and advancing agricultural productivity around the world. For over 75 years, Valmont® has been a global leader in creating vital infrastructure and advancing agricultural productivity. Since the founding in 1946, Valmont has pursued opportunities for growth, developed solutions through innovative technology, implemented sustainable practices, and maintained market leadership within dynamic industries. For more information, please visit www.valmont.com

ABOUT CAPSTONE PARTNERS

For over 20 years, the firm has been a trusted advisor to leading middle market companies, offering a fully integrated range of investment banking and financial advisory services uniquely tailored to help owners, investors, and creditors through each stage of the company’s lifecycle. Capstone’s services include M&A advisory, debt and equity placement, corporate restructuring, special situations, valuation and fairness opinions, and financial advisory services. Headquartered in Boston, the firm has 175+ professionals across the U.S. With 12 dedicated industry groups, Capstone delivers sector-specific expertise through large, cross-functional teams. Capstone is a subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN). For more information, visit www.capstonepartners.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Janson
Chief Operating Officer
Head of Telecom Investment Banking
303-887-0174 
pjanson@capstonepartners.com 

Ian Cookson
Managing Director
Aerospace, Defense, Government & Security
617 470 9338
icookson@capstonepartners.com  

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