AlixPartners allies with defense sector specialist Cypress International

Consulting firm AlixPartners has formed a strategic alliance with Cypress International, an Alexandria, VA-based consultancy focusing on defense industry contractors.

Founded in 1978, Cypress provides business development solutions and services to suppliers in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) markets. The firm’s staff of more than 40 employees is composed primarily of former senior military professionals who work in concert with a research team and field representative network to help clients win DoD and DHS contracts.

The alliance with Cypress will combine AlixPartners’ strategic insight and operational improvement expertise with Cypress’ deep understanding of business opportunities in the defense industry to offer enhanced services to defense industry suppliers.“Analyzing the opportunities to bring faster-to-market integrated solutions, reduced cycles, and reduced costs to allow key defense players to win more business in this new DoD era – not to mention doing so at a time when the current war in Ukraine reminds us of what an uncertain world we live in – requires careful diligence of customer needs, of DoD priorities, and of supplier and program capabilities,” said Eric Bernardini, global leader of the aerospace, defense, and aviation practice at AlixPartners. “And no one is better than Cypress International in helping us provide that type of expertise.”

President Joe Biden recently signed a $29-billion spending increase for his previously requested national defense budget, pushing the overall defense budget to $782 billion – up 5.6% over 2021. Much of this increase can be attributed to inflation, though the Biden administration also wants to keep pace with geopolitical rivals China and Russia.

Biden also approved an additional $13.6 billion in emergency military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as the country faces an ongoing invasion from Russia.

“There is increased demand today for rigorous diligence at the program and technology level, with insight into budgets, sectors and customers across the defense supply chain,” said David Halverson, CEO and chairman at Cypress International. “Cypress International’s unique insight and expertise together with AlixPartners’ renowned operational expertise will be an unbeatable combination for companies and sponsors looking to be winners in today’s environment.”