PE Weekly: Consultants Ramp up Strategic Investments
Plus, the food and beverage space sees M&A jump
Consultancy firms flexed their strategic acquisition muscles this week with recent deals from West Monroe and NFP. On the private equity front, the food and beverage space made waves with the acquisition of Wingstop in the U.K. Read more about the latest deals below.
Platform Investments
Sixth Street Acquires Wingstop. Sixth Street has acquired U.K. fried chicken franchise Wingstop for a reported $503 million, according to Bloomberg reports. The investment firm made the acquisition through its investment in Lemon Pepper Holdings, which operates Wingstop franchises in the U.K. and Ireland.
Blackford Capital Acquires Security Fire Systems. Blackford Capital, a lower middle-market private equity firm, has acquired Security Fire Systems, bringing the firm into the fire safety and security market. Security Fire Systems provides sprinkler design, engineering and installation services in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Its acquisition launches Blackford’s Fire Safety Consolidation Platform.
Rainier Partners Acquires Welfare & Pension Administration Service. Lower middle-market private equity firm Rainier Partners, which focuses on the services sector, announced its investment in Welfare & Pension Administration Services. The company is a third-party administrator of multi-employer benefit plans
Neuberger Berman Takes Minority Stake in Yellowstone Landscape. Yellowstone Landscape, a provider of commercial landscape services, announced that a minority stake of the business has been acquired by Neuberger Berman Capital Solutions. Private equity firm Harvest Partners will retain a majority stake in a business, according to a press release.
Guardian Capital Acquires Team LINX. Guardian Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on the lower-middle market, has acquired Team LINX. The company provides technology infrastructure services for data centers, designing and installing security system solutions. The investment marks the third digital infrastructure investment for the private equity firm.
Balmoral Carves Out R.H. Sheppard Co. Balmoral Funds, a private equity fund, has acquired R.H. Sheppard Co., according to a recent press release. Sheppard provides steering technologies for Class 5-8 trucks across North America. Balmoral carved out the business from publicly-listed Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems.
Peak Rock Acquires Tapco. Peak Rock Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, announced its investment in Traffic and Parking Control Co. in a recent press release. The company provides intelligence transportation systems and traffic safety products.
Saothair Capital Completes T Bailey Acquisition. Saothair Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm focused on the manufacturing and industrial market, has announced its completed acquisition of a majority stake in T Bailey. The company is a vertically integrated provider of above-ground industrial tanks, casings and other steel solutions.
American Securities Acquires Milk Specialties. Milk Specialties Global, a whey and milk protein ingredient supplier, has been acquired by private equity firm American Securities. Reports in SupplySide said the firm acquired the business from its previous owner Kainos Capital.
Add-Ons
HCI Equity’s LawnPRO Acquires Meehan’s Lawn Service. LawnPRO, a residential lawn care service provider backed by private equity firm HCI Equity Partners, has acquired Meehan’s Lawn Service. The investment marks the ninth add-on acquisition for LawnPRO, according to a press release.
Strategics
West Monroe Acquires Inspired Health. Business and technology consulting firm West Monroe has acquired Inspired Health, a market insights and commercial strategy consulting firm servicing the life sciences market. According to an announcement, the investment expands West Monroe’s capabilities in the life sciences space and adds a Boston office.
NFP Acquires Benefits Partner. NFP, an Aon company and property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement plan advisor, announced recently its acquisition of Benefits Partners. The company is an independent employee benefits consulting, brokerage and administration company. The investment follows several strategic acquisitions made by NFP.
Middle Market Growth is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To learn more about the organization and how to become a member, visit www.acg.org.
