Astor Place Holdings Announces Sale of Sentech, Inc.
July 30, 2026
NEW YORK, NY—Astor Place Holdings (“Astor Place”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Sentech, Inc. (“Sentech” or the “Company”) to Spectris plc (“Spectris”), a portfolio company of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (“KKR”). Sentech will become part of Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (“HBK”) under Spectris. HBK is a global provider of test and measurement solutions that help engineers turn data into insights and make better, faster decisions. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Sentech designs and manufactures position and speed sensors that are used in harsh environments. Its products are engineered for demanding applications that require precision and reliability. Sentech’s products are installed globally across end markets that include power generation, aerospace & defense, space and a diverse range of industrial applications. The Company has facilities in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Astor Place acquired Sentech in 2018 in partnership with the family that had founded it in 1988. The business has since executed a strategic plan to expand sales and marketing, increase engineering depth and new prototype velocity, and better serve its customers. Along the way, implementations of ERP and CRM systems, cybersecurity enhancements, and moving to a larger facility have enabled the business to scale. The Company also completed strategic add-on acquisitions of Xensor, LLC and Motion Sensors, Inc., which broadened its product technologies and served applications. Sentech nearly tripled EBITDA during Astor Place’s ownership.
Bob Irving, President & CEO of Sentech, commented: “I’m proud of what our team has built at Sentech, and grateful to our Board and the entire Astor Place team for their partnership and support over the years. Together we’ve grown this business while staying true to what has always set us apart — hands-on engineering and the trusted relationships we’ve earned with our customers. I’m excited for Sentech’s next chapter with HBK and Spectris, and confident our customers and employees will benefit from the added scale and resources this partnership brings.”
Charlie Durkin, Managing Director at Astor Place, said: “Sentech is exactly the type of company Astor Place looks to partner with – a market-leading manufacturer of mission-critical, engineered products that has differentiated intellectual property. Sentech has scaled significantly under our ownership and is more strategically valuable today. Bob and the Sentech team should be proud of what they have built, and we think HBK is the right partner for Sentech as it enters its next phase of growth.”
Mark Adams, Managing Director at Astor Place, added: “Sentech’s success is a testament to patient business building. At the outset, we outlined a plan to invest in Sentech’s people, processes, and customers, and over ensuing years diligently executed against that plan. We are grateful to the Patel family for trusting us to own Sentech, Senior Advisor Praveen Jeyarajah for steadily guiding the Company and Board as Chairman, and Bob Irving for his outstanding leadership.”
Harris Williams is acting as financial advisor, and McDermott Will & Schulte is acting as legal advisor to Sentech and Astor Place. Baker McKenzie is acting as legal advisor to HBK.
About Spectris plc
Spectris plc is a UK-based supplier of precision instrumentation and controls, headquartered in London. Spectris harnesses the power of precision measurement to equip its customers to make the world cleaner, healthier and more productive. www.spectris.com
About HBK
HBK, part of Spectris, is a test and measurement partner for the pioneers, visionaries, and innovators shaping the future. By integrating AI, advanced software, and digital workflows, they help engineers move beyond simple measurement to generate actionable insights. HBK solutions empower organisations to test smarter, reduce time to market, and unlock new levels of performance across the entire product lifecycle.With deep expertise in key industries such as Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Advanced Automation, Robotics, and Energy, HBK helps its customers solve their most complex engineering challenges. www.hbkworld.com
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
Established in 1976, KKR is a global investment firm with industry-leading investment experience and a strong culture committed to teamwork. The firm invests across private markets in every asset class all over the world, and its mission is to fortify companies and communities and help secure the futures of the institutions and individuals counting on it. www.kkr.com
About Astor Place Holdings
Astor Place Holdings is the private equity strategy of Select Equity Group, L.P. Astor Place deploys patient capital in partnership with exceptional management teams to drive long-term value creation in lower middle market North American companies. www.astorplaceholdings.com
Contact
Heather Lenora
Astor Place Holdings
(347) 510-3330
hlenora@astorplaceholdings.com