Specialty Materials Applications Practice
Edgewater’s practice in Specialty Materials Applications is focused on businesses that leverage materials science and process engineering competencies to help their customers solve critical problems. Our partners develop solutions that enable high-performance applications in industries like Aerospace & Defense, Electronics, Medical Devices, Photonics, Communications, and Advanced Manufacturing, among others. They are technical collaborators with their customers and despite their smaller size, our partners have a huge impact on the viability of technology trends like 5G, IoT, Smart Infrastructure, and Surgical Robotics.
Materials, Components, & Services
Offering:
B2B branded/proprietary products & tech services
Differentiating Capabilities:
- Strong technical interface with customer
- Applications lab and development expertise
- Product development roadmap aligned with industry needs
Critical Components
Offering:
High-Reliability sub-assemblies & OEM parts
Differentiating Capabilities:
- Precision design to hold tight tolerances
- Breadth of specialty materials & processes
- Advanced process controls/metrology to ensure consistency
Specialty Chemicals
Offering:
Functional ingredients & performance additives
Differentiating Capabilities:
- Expert in complex/high-performance chemistries
- Visibility into downstream customers & use cases
- High-mix/low-volume production
Performance Material Solutions/Critical Components/Specialty Chemicals
Materials Science/Application: Surface Modification & Finishing, CASE Chemistry, Thin-Film Applications, Electronic Materials, Lubricants & Solvents
Target Markets:
Aerospace & Defense, Electronics, Medical Devices, Photonics, Communications, Advanced Manufacturing
Materials Science/Application: Surface Modification & Finishing, CASE Chemistry, Thin-Film Applications, Electronic Materials, Lubricants & Solvents
Target Markets:
Aerospace & Defense, Electronics, Medical Devices, Photonics, Communications, Advanced Manufacturing
Practice Leader: Chris Springer
Practice Leader:
Chris Springer

cspringer@edgewatercapital.com
(610) 213-6412
Chris works closely with the management teams of Edgewater portfolio companies as they establish and pursue their value creation plans. He also leads Edgewater’s Specialty Materials Applications practice, working with Edgewater’s deal team to identify and evaluate new opportunities for owner-operator partnerships and corporate carve-outs. Chris has worked in lower middle-market private equity since 2009 and joined Edgewater in 2019. Previously, he was an executive with Rohm & Haas (now DuPont) where he held a variety of commercial and operational roles in the industrial specialty and electronics segments. Earlier in his career, Chris worked with the Boston Consulting Group and Lockheed Martin.
Chris holds a BS in Management from Bucknell University and Master’s degrees in International Affairs (Georgetown University) and Engineering Systems/Logistics (MIT).
Relevant Portfolio Companies
5005 Rockside Rd., Ste. 840
Cleveland, OH 44131
(216) 292-3838
info@edgewatercapital.com
5005 Rockside Rd., Ste. 840
Cleveland, OH 44131
(216) 292-3838
info@edgewatercapital.com