L Squared Platform, Kano Labs, Acquires Triboscience & Engineering; Seeks Additional Specialty Chemicals Acquisitions

Newport Beach, CA – L Squared Capital Partners is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Kano Labs (“Kano”), a leading provider of premium branded consumable chemical solutions, has acquired Triboscience & Engineering, Inc. (“TSE”), a highly respected engineering-driven firm known for solving complex lubrication challenges. The acquisition advances Kano’s position at the highest levels of the specialty lubrication market, where performance, precision, and engineering expertise are critical differentiators. This transaction reinforces Kano’s strategy to consolidate the fragmented specialty chemicals market by establishing itself as the preferred acquirer for premium branded products.
 
Founded in 2000, TSE specializes in developing high-performance oils, greases, and proprietary lubrication systems for demanding applications across aerospace, medical devices, automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturing. The integration of TSE’s R&D-driven model with Kano’s manufacturing scale and distribution network positions the combined company to deliver next-generation lubrication solutions.  As part of the transaction, TSE founder Paul Bessette – widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern lubrication engineering – will remain with Kano to lead research and development.  TSE will operate as Kano’s Advanced Lubrication Science & Engineering Division.
 
“Triboscience & Engineering has always focused on solving the most complex lubrication problems,” said Paul Bessette, founder of Triboscience & Engineering. “Joining Kano gives us the scale, resources, and platform to advance that mission. Together, we can accelerate innovation and push the boundaries of what is possible in lubrication performance.”
 
TSE represents Kano’s second acquisition since partnering with L Squared and supports the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio of premium branded chemical solutions used in mission-critical industrial maintenance, repair, and operations (“MRO”) applications.  Kano is actively seeking additional acquisitions that can leverage its established distribution reach and R&D resources.
 
“This is a transformative acquisition for Kano,” said Randall Hunt, Managing Partner at L Squared. “It deepens our presence in specialized lubricants serving high-performance end markets, while meaningfully strengthening our in-house product development capabilities for our existing product portfolio as well as future brands added via acquisition.”

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Randall Hunt
Managing Partner
rhunt@lsquaredcap.com

Brian Scott
Principal
bscott@lsquaredcap.com

Matt Borges
Vice President
mborges@lsquaredcap.com

About Triboscience & Engineering
Triboscience & Engineering is a specialty lubrication company focused on solving complex engineering challenges through advanced formulation, testing, and manufacturing of high-performance lubricants. The company has supported hundreds of organizations with custom solutions and proprietary products.

About Kano Labs
Kano Laboratories was founded in 1939 with the goal of producing the very best, professional-grade chemical solutions on the market. Highlighted by our legendary Kroil penetrant formulas, the Super Lube line of premium synthetic lubricants and specialty DeoxIT cleaners, Kano products have been proven effective by service and maintenance professionals in just about every industry. Customers know that when the Kano mark is on the packaging, tough problems will get solved, quickly and efficiently. For additional information, please visit www.kanolabs.com.

About L Squared Capital Partners
L Squared Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, with approximately $5.3 billion of historical cumulative capital commitments that seeks to make long-term investments in leading growth companies operating in targeted sectors: Education Technology, Technology-Enabled Services & Software, and Industrial Technology & Services. L Squared’s unique investor base of family offices and institutions enables the Firm to focus on long-term value creation driven by revenue and earnings growth, not financial engineering or market timing. The principals of L Squared have worked together for nearly 20 years, investing in growing private companies. For more information, please visit www.LSquaredCap.com.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase of any investment. Investing with any investment firm is suitable only for qualified investors that fully understand the risks of such an investment. L Squared Capital Partners is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Investments with L Squared Capital Partners are only offered in accordance with applicable securities laws.