NEW YORK – J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on the aerospace, maritime and defense industries, has completed fundraising for JFL Equity Investors IV, L.P. and affiliated investment vehicles ("JFL IV"). The partnerships were oversubscribed and closed on commitments of $833 million, reaching JFL IV’s hard cap and exceeding its target of $700 million due to strong support from existing investors and demand from new clients.
Capital commitments were secured from a diversified group of more than four dozen institutions based in North America and Europe. Investors include leading public and private pension funds, insurance companies, fund-of-funds, family offices, endowments and foundations. Additional commitments were provided by members of J.F. Lehman & Company's Operating Executive Board, individual investors and the firm’s general partners.
”The successful marketing of JFL IV represents a key milestone for our organization, and we are grateful for the strong support and confidence received from the institutional investor community,” said Louis N. Mintz, Partner. ”The demand for JFL IV clearly reflects the success of our dedicated, sector-focused strategy and strength of our team.”
For the entirety of its 25-year history, J.F. Lehman & Company has focused exclusively on the aerospace, maritime and defense industries and the technologies that originate from them. Consistent with the firm's historical investment program, JFL IV will focus on control ownership positions in leveraged acquisitions of high quality companies in the firm's target industries that are headquartered in the United States and United Kingdom.
The firm’s previous private equity vehicles include the 2011-vintage JFL Fund III with commitments of $575 million, JFL Fund II ($335 million) and JFL Fund I ($130 million).
Stanwich Advisors, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor and placement agent for the offering and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP provided legal counsel for the formation of the funds.