EaglePicher Technologies to be acquired

EaglePicher Technologies LLC, whose manufactured products have ventured as far as outer space from southwest Missouri, has reached a deal to be acquired.

Burr Ridge, Illinois-based Tuthill Corp. reached an agreement to buy EaglePicher from Chicago private equity firm GTCR LLC. The financial terms of the deal, expected to close this year, were undisclosed in a news release.

While its headquarters is in St. Louis, EaglePicher has a large base of operations in Joplin, where it manufactures key technologies for the defense, aviation, space and maritime industries, according to its website. EaglePicher's lithium-ion batteries powering NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars won Best in Show at Springfield Business Journal's inaugural Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks event in 2022. The company's power module for U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft emergency ejection seats was honored with the Impact Award at this year's Coolest Things event.

The Tuthill acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

"This acquisition creates an exciting time for the employees of EaglePicher and Tuthill. It marks a significant step in our joint pursuit of excellence," Tuthill President and CEO Steven Westfall said in the release. "The combination of these two storied franchises will allow us to deliver ever better products and services that safeguard our country. We look forward to bringing a new energy to EaglePicher."

EaglePicher has around 900 employees at its locations in Joplin, St. Louis, Pittsburg, Kansas, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Southbridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1892, Tuthill is a manufacturer of rotating equipment for industries including agriculture, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and construction.

EaglePicher in 2018 was purchased by GTCR from affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC, according to its website.