BALTIMORE, MD -- A private equity group led by a veteran of the EMS industry has acquired Zentech Manufacturing for an undisclosed amount.

New York City-based BlackBern Partners named Steve Pudles CEO, replacing Zentech CEO and president Matt Turpin, who remains as an advisor and investor. Pudles has a 30-year track record building EMS businesses such as NuVisions, API Technologies and Spectral Response. He is past chairman of the IPC board of directors.

All members of the senior management team will remain with Zentech.

In a statement, Pudles said, “Matt has built Zentech into an outstanding supplier within the aerospace, defense, medical and high reliability markets. I have always enjoyed meeting with Matt at IPC events and look forward to his counsel as I begin my CEO tenure at Zentech. I am excited to work with this team to sustain and extend Zentech’s delivery of uncompromising quality product.”

“The loyalty of their impressive customer list affirms this very talented leadership team and the differentiated model they employ," said Jonathan Bernstein, partner, BlackBern. "We look forward to partnering with Steve to invest in furthering this model in the current facilities and through strategic acquisitions.”

Zentech is a key supplier to the US military and maintains factories in Baltimore and in Fredericksburg, VA.