American family firm takes the next step in its strategy to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding and repair capacity, following its offer for Austal USA.

Wildcat Defense, part of Wildcat Equity Partners, an American-owned family office led by Eric Nicolaides, has signed an exclusive agreement with the owners of Fraser Industries to buy Fraser Industries in Superior, WI., parent company to Fraser Shipyards LLC, Lake Assault Boats LLC, Northern Engineering LLC and Fraser Terminal LLC. An in-person announcement took place at the Fraser shipyard on Wednesday, October 21.

Wildcat expects to invest $350mm into the yard to grow the Fraser workforce and expand the manufacturing footprint in support of the plans already in planning stages at the shipyard. Patrick Kelly and his team will remain in integral positions with the company.

Eric Nicolaides said, “Wildcat’s partnership with Fraser Industries comes at a time when the U.S. is looking to modernize infrastructure at U.S. shipyards, an industry that is critical to national security. We believe this modernization and expansion should be done by U.S. firms improving and expanding U.S. shipyards. The Fraser team has demonstrated their expert ability to turn around and expand shipyard MRO and new construction. By welcoming the Fraser team to Wildcat, we intend to take that playbook to other yards that have been neglected around the country as we seek to meaningfully increase useable shipyard capacity in the United States.”

Current Fraser co-owner and CEO, Patrick Kelly adds: “We’re extremely excited about the opportunity to join Wildcat and build on Fraser’s long history of shipbuilding and ship repair. Wildcat’s commitment to investing in our people, facilities, and technology will help us grow, strengthen our workforce, and better serve our commercial and government customers. We stand ready to take the turn around steps successfully employed at Fraser to a wider Wildcat platform that advances U.S. shipbuilding and repair.”

This transaction will ensure Fraser remains American family owned and will have the long term resources to continue its history of shipbuilding and ship repair excellence in support of its commercial and government customers, to include the U.S. Navy and Department of Homeland Security.

Regarding existing partnerships, under Wildcat’s ownership, Fraser will remain committed to its partnership with Fincantieri and Donjon shipyards to compete for the Coast Guard’s seven light icebreakers. Wildcat’s investment will also act as an accelerator related to Fraser’s ongoing efforts to seek partnering opportunities with best-in-class technology providers.

Wildcat and Fraser expect to close the transaction in about three months.