Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc. Provides Funding for Liberty Hall Capital Partners’ Acquisition of AIM Aerospace

New York, NY – Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) announced today that Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc., a business development company advised by a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Carlyle Group, participated in the financing for the $220 million acquisition of AIM Aerospace, Inc. by Liberty Hall Capital Partners.  Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc. acted as sole lead arranger and administrative agent on the $45 million second lien term loan. Closing and funding occurred on February 2, 2016.

Founded in 1988 as part of the UK-based AIM Group PLC, Renton, WA-based AIM Aerospace is an, independent supplier of composite ducting, substructural and interiors parts for the commercial aerospace industry, focused on the highest value Boeing platforms, including the 737, 777 and 787.  Liberty Hall Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defense industry.

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About AIM Aerospace Corporation
AIM Aerospace Corporation is a leading Tier II independent supplier of composite ducting, substructural and interiors parts for the commercial aerospace industry.  Formed through the acquisition of AIM Group in 2016, AIM Aerospace’s multiple and highly complementary capabilities allow the delivery of products to customers with optimal cost, quality and delivery.  Based in Renton with additional facilities located in Auburn and Sumner, Washington, AIM Aerospace is currently executing a strategic plan to build its business through strategic investments in further capabilities, customers and platforms.  The company’s largest customers include The Boeing Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Spirit AeroSystems and B/E Aerospace.  AIM Aerospace was a 2014 recipient of the Spirit Supplier of the Year Award.

About Liberty Hall Capital Partners
Liberty Hall Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defense industry. Liberty Hall’s principals have a 20-plus year history of working together and have led the investment of $2.2 billion in equity capital in businesses serving multiple segments of the aerospace and defense industry and complementary industrial end markets. Liberty Hall develops actionable investment strategies for attractive segments of the aerospace and defense industry and then partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to acquire leading businesses serving these segments and, together with them, develops sound, long-term strategic plans to build these businesses through a combination of strategic investments and strategic acquisitions.

About Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.
Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc. is a business development company regulated by the SEC and advised by Carlyle GMS Investment Management LLC (“CGMSIM”). The CGMSIM investment team is the Carlyle Group’s exclusive middle market lending platform with offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and is focused on making investments primarily in middle-market senior loans, consisting largely of first lien senior secured loans, which may include “unitranche” loans, and second lien senior secured loans.

CGMSIM is part of Carlyle Global Market Strategies (GMS), which pursues investment opportunities across various types of credit, equities and alternative instruments, and (with regards to  certain macroeconomic strategies) currencies, commodities and interest rate products and their derivatives. GMS manages approximately $36 billion across 70 funds.

About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $188 billion of assets under management across 126 funds and 160 fund of funds vehicles as of September 30, 2015. Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,700 people in 35 offices across six continents.

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