UNION PARK CAPITAL ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF AML OCEANOGRAPHIC AND LAUNCH OF NEW MARINE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
Boston, MA – February 1, 2026 – Union Park Capital ("Union Park"), a Boston-based private equity firm focused on lower middle-market industrial technology investments, today announced it has completed the acquisition of AML Oceanographic ("AML"), a leading manufacturer of high-performance oceanographic and hydrographic equipment. The acquisition marks the launch of Union Park’s new marine technology platform, positioning the firm to capitalize on long-term growth in the blue economy. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, AML has established itself as a premier provider of oceanographic sensors, sondes, and underway profiling systems. With a customer base on all seven continents, AML operates in the domains of hydrography, water quality monitoring, science, and subsea infrastructure. Over the course of 50 years, the company has evolved from an early pioneer in CTD instrumentation to a full-scale manufacturer with a robust offering of oceanographic equipment. AML is known for delivering an exceptional customer experience and for offering unrivalled lead times.
"Robert and the AML team represent the ideal group with which to launch our marine technology investment thesis," said Brian McCafferty, Partner at Union Park Capital. "The company's track record of strong customer relationships, technical expertise, and long-standing reputation provide the perfect foundation for building a market-leading marine technology group. With growing demand for marine energy sources, increased focus on the rebuilding of coastal infrastructure, and heavy defense spending on naval resources, we see tremendous opportunity to accelerate AML’s growth and pursue strategic acquisitions in this highly fragmented market."
As part of the transaction, Robert Haydock, AML's current CEO, will continue to lead the company and serve as platform CEO. Robert became President of AML in 2006 and CEO in 2009. He has been instrumental in the company's transformation and growth, including the key acquisition of the Moving Vessel Profiler (MVP) product line.
"We are very excited to work with Union Park,” said Robert. “Their Boston team has an incredible wealth of experience in the build-out of successful technology platforms. That knowledge is fuel. Access to lessons already learned is a tremendous accelerator.”
“AML has long been focused on scaling,” continued Robert. “Everything we do, we ask ourselves: Will this hold at five times the size? Now, with Union Park in our corner, we are more confident than ever that we have the DNA to be a top tier player in the ocean domain.”
About AML Oceanographic
AML Oceanographic has over fifty years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance oceanographic equipment. Three primary solutions – hydrographic instrumentation, CTDs and multiparameter sondes, and underway profiling systems – enable customers to focus on the job and not the equipment. With headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia, and operations in Halifax, Nova Scotia, AML is recognized for its exceptional customer experience, best-in-class lead times, and technical expertise. www.amloceanographic.com.
About Union Park Capital
Union Park Capital is a Boston-based private equity firm solely focused on lower middle-market industrial technology companies. Union Park takes a long-term perspective to help stakeholders build value over time and drives value creation through profitably growing a business, not financial engineering. The firm has extensive experience building market-leading platforms through organic growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions across automation, precision manufacturing, and industrial technology sectors. For more information, visit www.union-park.com.
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, AML has established itself as a premier provider of oceanographic sensors, sondes, and underway profiling systems. With a customer base on all seven continents, AML operates in the domains of hydrography, water quality monitoring, science, and subsea infrastructure. Over the course of 50 years, the company has evolved from an early pioneer in CTD instrumentation to a full-scale manufacturer with a robust offering of oceanographic equipment. AML is known for delivering an exceptional customer experience and for offering unrivalled lead times.
"Robert and the AML team represent the ideal group with which to launch our marine technology investment thesis," said Brian McCafferty, Partner at Union Park Capital. "The company's track record of strong customer relationships, technical expertise, and long-standing reputation provide the perfect foundation for building a market-leading marine technology group. With growing demand for marine energy sources, increased focus on the rebuilding of coastal infrastructure, and heavy defense spending on naval resources, we see tremendous opportunity to accelerate AML’s growth and pursue strategic acquisitions in this highly fragmented market."
As part of the transaction, Robert Haydock, AML's current CEO, will continue to lead the company and serve as platform CEO. Robert became President of AML in 2006 and CEO in 2009. He has been instrumental in the company's transformation and growth, including the key acquisition of the Moving Vessel Profiler (MVP) product line.
"We are very excited to work with Union Park,” said Robert. “Their Boston team has an incredible wealth of experience in the build-out of successful technology platforms. That knowledge is fuel. Access to lessons already learned is a tremendous accelerator.”
“AML has long been focused on scaling,” continued Robert. “Everything we do, we ask ourselves: Will this hold at five times the size? Now, with Union Park in our corner, we are more confident than ever that we have the DNA to be a top tier player in the ocean domain.”
About AML Oceanographic
AML Oceanographic has over fifty years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance oceanographic equipment. Three primary solutions – hydrographic instrumentation, CTDs and multiparameter sondes, and underway profiling systems – enable customers to focus on the job and not the equipment. With headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia, and operations in Halifax, Nova Scotia, AML is recognized for its exceptional customer experience, best-in-class lead times, and technical expertise. www.amloceanographic.com.
About Union Park Capital
Union Park Capital is a Boston-based private equity firm solely focused on lower middle-market industrial technology companies. Union Park takes a long-term perspective to help stakeholders build value over time and drives value creation through profitably growing a business, not financial engineering. The firm has extensive experience building market-leading platforms through organic growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions across automation, precision manufacturing, and industrial technology sectors. For more information, visit www.union-park.com.