Lion Equity Partners, through its affiliate Lion Equity Holdings, LLC (“Lion Equity”) announced that on November 1st it acquired UE Compression (“UEC”) from United Holdings, LLC, a division of Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX). UEC is an industry leading provider of custom engineered natural gas and air compressor systems, as well as related parts and services.

UEC, headquartered in Henderson, CO, provides custom engineered gas and air compressor systems for use in field compression, process and fuel gas boosting for power generation and transmission. The company has built compression systems that have been deployed around the world for global corporations in a variety of industries including pipelines, energy and petroleum, and power stations.

“UEC is a leader in the compression industry with strong customer relationships and a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality equipment and services,” said Ari Silverman, Partner of Lion Equity. “We believe the company is well positioned for growth, both organically and through prospective strategic add-on acquisitions.”

“We are very excited about our future,” UEC Chief Operating Officer, Keith Kern said. “Our commitment to quality engineering and our reliable service to our clients have allowed UEC to differentiate itself in the marketplace. The combination of UEC’s technical and industry expertise along with strategic direction and capital from Lion Equity, positions our company extremely well for future growth and success.”

Jim Levitas, Partner of Lion Equity, added, “We look forward to working with UEC’s management team to execute the company’s long-term growth strategy. UEC has distinguished itself in the custom gas and air compression industry with strong customer and vendor relationships and a commitment to delivering a superior packaged solution.”

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Lion Equity Partners:

Lion Equity Partners (www.lionequity.com) is a Denver, CO based private investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in middle-market businesses across multiple industries. Lion Equity specializes in acquiring divisions of larger corporations, and has significant experience in the divestiture process. Lion Equity’s investment strategy is centered on creating value in its portfolio companies through a combination of organic growth and add-on acquisitions. Lion Equity supports its portfolio companies with strategic and financial resources, operational guidance, and M&A expertise.

About UE Compression:

UE Compression, located in Henderson, CO, provides custom air and gas compression packages for the oil & gas industry, power plants, process industry and the industrial marketplace, as well as for commercial and municipal applications. UE Compression delivers complete skid-mounted gas compressor packages, powered by electric motors or natural gas engines from Caterpillar, Waukesha and Cummins, using top names in the industry such as: Ariel, Frick, Cameron, Dresser Rand, Howden and Ro-Flo. UE Compression is also a distributor for the finest products offered in the compressed air and rotary blower business such as Gardner Denver, Kobelco, Hydrovane, Sutorbilt, Duroflow, Cycloblower and more.

About Kirby Corporation:

Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nation’s largest domestic tank barge operator transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. Kirby transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. Kirby also operates offshore dry-bulk barge and tugboat units engaged in the offshore transportation of dry-bulk cargoes in the United States coastal trade. Through the diesel engine services segment, Kirby provides after-market service for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine and power generation applications. Kirby also distributes and services diesel engines, transmissions, pumps and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based pressure pumping and oilfield service markets.