Acquisitions in 2022

Bridgepointe Technologies, a tech advisory firm, announced that it has acquired PPT Solutions. The acquisition expands Bridgepointe’s capabilities into customer experience (CX) and contact center consulting solutions, including related technologies, BPO, AI/RPA, and managed services. PPT Solutions will operate as a Bridgepointe company, with its leadership team continuing to lead the CX organization.

One Equity Partners (OEP) agreed to acquire ACI's corporate online banking solutions (marketed as ACI Digital Business Banking Solutions) from ACI Worldwide. Upon closing, the business will operate independently under the new name Dragonfly Financial Technologies, with Hauser Private Equity co-investing in the transaction.

American Securities LLC entered into a definitive agreement to sell Milk Specialties Global, a manufacturer of human and animal nutrition ingredients, to Butterfly. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023 subject to customary closing conditions.

The Opus Group, a global agency network, acquired Verve, Ireland’s largest multidisciplinary brand experience and events agency. Verve will retain its name as “Verve, part of The Opus Group,” with founder Ronan Traynor continuing to lead the business as the combined network expands across Europe’s events and experiential marketing market.

Lynx Equity Limited has acquired Majland Stauder, a B2B plant nursery based in Sonder Omme, Denmark that produces perennial plants for customers across Scandinavia. The sellers (Erik Lauridsen, Leif Rahbek, and Torben Kristensen) will remain with the business, with Erik appointed CEO, as Lynx makes its first investment in the horticulture industry.

CC Wellness acquired the Shibari brand’s liquid personal lubricant product line, expanding its portfolio of consumer-facing intimate wellness and personal care brands. Catalus Capital, a private equity firm for which CC Wellness is a core investment, described the deal as an add-on acquisition; financial terms were not disclosed.

Duke's Root Control, a Comvest Partners portfolio company, acquired Pipetek Infrastructure Services. Pipetek will operate as a subsidiary of Duke's and strengthens Duke's wastewater and underground infrastructure inspection, assessment, maintenance, and repair capabilities, while expanding its presence in the Midwest and into gas and water utility markets.

Main Street Capital Corporation completed a new portfolio investment to facilitate the minority recapitalization of World Micro Components, LLC, a distributor of electronic parts and components. Main Street, alongside a co-investor, partnered with the company’s existing owner and senior management team, providing $18.1 million through a combination of first lien senior secured term debt and a direct minority equity investment.

KCM Capital Partners LLC completed its exit of Industrial Service Group Holdings, LLC (Industrial Service Group/ISG) through a sale to middle-market private equity firm TJC, L.P. KCM’s equity partners in the investment included PNC Mezzanine Capital and Five Points Capital; transaction terms were not disclosed.

River Associates Investments, LP acquired Caster Connection, LLC, a supplier of industrial casters and related products, in a transaction that closed on December 19, 2022. Caster Connection, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serves material-handling applications with ergonomic caster solutions for manufacturing customers across multiple industries.

Southfield Mezzanine provided a unitranche debt and equity investment to support Calvert Street Capital Partners’ acquisition of D2K Traffic Safety, Inc., with NewSpring Mezzanine investing alongside. D2K Traffic Safety, headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, provides traffic safety services such as traffic control, pavement marking, signing, and flagging for customers in the Chicagoland area.

Right Time Group of Companies acquired Waterloo-based Dunn Heating ClimateCare, which will operate as Dunn Heating and Air Conditioning. The business provides residential heating, cooling, air quality, and hot water services across the Tri-Cities area of Southern Ontario. Former owner Rick Dunn and the existing management team and employees will join Right Time; financial terms were not disclosed.

Gryphon Investors signed a definitive agreement to sell its portfolio company Heritage Distribution Holdings (HDH) to Beijer Ref. HDH is a multi-regional HVAC/R parts and equipment distribution platform serving the Southeastern and Midwestern United States and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia; the transaction is expected to close in Q1 2023, subject to customary conditions.

AMI Entertainment Network (AMI), a digital jukebox and in-venue music/video entertainment and advertising provider for bars and restaurants, has been acquired by Coral Tree Partners. The transaction was completed with Coral Tree purchasing AMI from The Gores Group, which had partnered with AMI since 2017.

Rosewood Private Investments portfolio company General Informatics (GI) acquired VAZATA's Managed Services Division. VAZATA will continue operating its data center facilities, while the managed services business will become part of GI, expanding GI's presence in the Texas/Dallas market.

TrueLearn acquired APEX Anesthesia Review (APEX) to expand its healthcare digital learning and analytics platform, strengthening its presence in nursing education. APEX provides exam preparation and continuing education for nurse anesthetists, and the combination is intended to enhance learning outcomes through TrueLearn’s analytics and APEX’s specialized content.

Alterna Equity Partners (AEP) completed the acquisition of the Bulk Express family of companies, including Bulk Express Transport, Soil Tech Distributors, M3 Transport, and Inter City Disposal. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Bulk provides long-haul transportation and logistics services focused on hauling and handling waste and other specialty materials across the state. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Anne Arundel Dermatology Management announced new partnerships with North Atlanta Dermatology, SkinPath Solutions, and Dermatology Institute for Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery, expanding its dermatology and dermatopathology footprint in Georgia. The affiliations extend the Anne Arundel Dermatology platform to roughly 150 locations and 300 providers across seven states. Anne Arundel Dermatology is a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners.

InflowCX, a portfolio company of Renovus Capital Partners, has acquired BPO Partners, a customer experience and contact center consulting and outsourcing advisory firm. The deal is intended to accelerate InflowCX’s expansion in consulting, outsourcing, and technical services for contact center operations and technologies.

Verso Wealth Management, a portfolio company of Cairngorm Capital Partners, has acquired IEP Financial Limited. The deal expands Verso’s presence across the South East of England and increases Verso’s assets under management to over £1.8 billion. IEP Financial will join the Verso group while key leaders remain involved in the business and client service.

Verso Wealth Management, a portfolio company of Cairngorm Capital Partners, has acquired Heritage Independent Financial Advisers Limited to expand Verso’s presence across the Midlands and support its national wealth management build-up strategy. Heritage, founded in 2003 and based in Knowle, West Midlands, advises on more than £200 million of assets and will continue operating with its principal directors remaining with the business.

Altamont Capital Partners announced the sale of Duke's Root Control Inc., a sanitary sewer root control and maintenance services platform, to private equity firm Comvest Partners. Altamont had invested in Duke's in 2018 via its Douglas Products platform, and Duke's operated as a division within Douglas during Altamont’s ownership.

Pfingsten completed the acquisition of Tempest Telecom Solutions as its latest platform investment on December 2, 2022. Tempest is a multi-vendor provider of network telecommunications equipment and related repair and technical services, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California with additional operations in Dallas, Texas.

TELEO Capital Management, LLC made a majority control investment in Sharpen Technologies Inc. (SharpenCX). SharpenCX provides a cloud-native Contact Center-as-a-Service (CCaaS) and Unified Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) platform with omnichannel capabilities, analytics, and reporting. SharpenCX is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Gemspring Capital Management, LLC acquired a majority interest in Amplix, a provider of technology advisory services and software. Amplix was formed through the merger of ROI Communications, Blue Front Technology Group, and allConnex and is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts.

Housatonic Partners announced a strategic growth investment in Brainfuse, a provider of online tutoring services, career counseling, and veterans' assistance programs delivered via its proprietary online learning platform. Brainfuse, founded in 2001 and headquartered in New York City, serves public libraries, higher education institutions, and K-12 school districts across North America. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Vision Innovation Partners (VIP) announced it has partnered with and acquired Chesen Laser Eye Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The deal represents VIP’s 24th add-on acquisition since 2017 and expands its Mid-Atlantic network of ophthalmology practices. Chesen’s physicians, including founder Dr. Neil Chesen and Dr. Dianna Cho, will remain with the business to support continued growth.

SyBridge Technologies, via its wholly-owned affiliate SyBridge Digital Solutions LLC, was selected as the winning bidder to acquire most of the operating assets of Fast Radius, Inc., subject to bankruptcy court approval. Fast Radius will continue operating under its brand within SyBridge, strengthening SyBridge’s digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, prototyping, and software capabilities. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2022.

Green Rock Energy Partners LLC acquired PSA South Hills Landfill Gas Venture LLC ("South Hills"), a renewable natural gas production facility, with the transaction closing in Q4 2022. The facility, located in South Park Township, Pennsylvania, upgrades landfill biogas into renewable natural gas to be sold into the vehicular transportation market as renewable compressed natural gas.

D&H United, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, acquired Petroleum Service and Calibration, Inc. and Double Check Company. The acquisitions expand D&H’s maintenance, testing, inspection, and compliance capabilities for fueling stations and electric vehicle charging infrastructure while extending its geographic footprint across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.

CenterOak Partners LLC completed the sale of Wetzel's Pretzels to MTY Franchising USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of MTY Food Group Inc., for a cash purchase price of $207 million. Wetzel's Pretzels, headquartered in Pasadena, California, is a U.S. quick-service restaurant franchisor and operator in the soft pretzel category.

AdeptAg announced the acquisition of Plantech Control Systems and its associated companies, Plantech West and JM Controls and Electric. Plantech, headquartered in Vineland, Ontario, provides integrated control systems and automation solutions for controlled environment agriculture, expanding AdeptAg’s platform and solutions offering for growers.

MidOcean Partners announced it has exited its private equity investment in Nutrabolt, a global active health and wellness company. In conjunction with the exit, Keurig Dr Pepper will enter into a strategic partnership with Nutrabolt that includes a long-term sales and distribution arrangement and an equity investment.

Griffin Dewatering, a portfolio company of Crossplane Capital, acquired the Pump & Integrity Rental segment of Cross Country Infrastructure Services. Pump & Integrity provides specialty pump and equipment rentals and related technical services across industrial, commercial, construction, and energy end markets. The deal expands Griffin’s national water management and fluid handling capabilities through added equipment fleet, expertise, and branch footprint.

Quantix, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, acquired Mid-States Packaging, a provider of dry bulk transportation, warehousing, and export services. The deal strengthens Quantix’s geographic footprint and expands its warehousing and trucking transportation operations across multiple regions including Texas, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic.

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) announced the sale of Whitewater Brands, a portfolio company of Rock Gate Partners and Peninsula Capital Partners, to private equity firm Lincolnshire Management. Whitewater Brands markets and supplies consumables and light equipment to the automotive collision repair, mechanical repair, and dealership markets through an omni-channel model including eCommerce, catalog, and call center sales. BGL served as exclusive financial advisor to Whitewater Brands on the transaction.

McGraw Hill acquired Ryan Medical Education LLC, doing business as Boards & Beyond, an on-demand video and online learning platform for medical students. The deal strengthens McGraw Hill’s digital medical education offerings by adding Boards & Beyond’s video-driven instruction and assessment content. McGraw Hill is a portfolio company of Platinum Equity, and this is its second acquisition since Platinum Equity acquired McGraw Hill in 2021.

Burke Porter Group (BPG) announced the acquisition of Quantum 3 (Q3), a designer and builder of modular lean assembly and production line solutions for medical and life sciences manufacturers. Quantum 3 is headquartered in Killaloe, County Cork, Ireland, and its founders Pat Hayes and Paul McGrath will remain with the business following the transaction.

Alliance Technical Group, backed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, acquired GBMc & Associates in a deal announced December 6, 2022. The acquisition expands Alliance’s environmental consulting capabilities and national resources, adding GBMc’s expertise in environmental compliance, ecological services, and watershed and land use management.

MML Capital Partners acquired OnPoint Industrial Services, LLC, a provider of industrial safety and maintenance support services headquartered near Houston, Texas. Stellus Capital Management, LLC supported the transaction by providing senior debt financing and an equity co-investment to back MML’s acquisition.

RMA Companies acquired Northwest Geotechnical Consultants, Inc. dba Northwest Geotech (NGI), a provider of geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, construction inspection, and construction materials testing services. The deal supports RMA’s acquisition-driven strategy to build a national testing and inspection platform serving critical infrastructure end-markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Salt Creek Capital completed a recapitalization of Pacific Paper in partnership with CEO Bill Donahue. Pacific Paper, headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California, provides custom paperboard sheets and converting services to packaging customers across the United States, and the transaction created a liquidity event for existing investors.

The Edgewater Funds has sold a majority interest in Industrial Service Solutions (ISS) to Wynnchurch Capital. Edgewater will retain a minority stake, and co-investor JZ Capital Partners will also keep a minority position as Wynnchurch provides a new investment/recapitalization to support ISS’s continued organic and acquisition growth plans.

Meduit, a healthcare revenue cycle solutions company, announced that JP Recovery Services (JPRS) has joined the Meduit organization through a merger. The combined company will expand revenue cycle management capabilities for hospitals, physician groups, and private practices across the United States, with JPRS founders John Beirne and John Murray transitioning into consulting roles.

Area Wide Protective (AWP), backed by Kohlberg & Co., entered into definitive agreements to acquire traffic control providers MOTPlans, LLC and CrossRoads, LP. MOTPlans is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and CrossRoads is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas; financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisitions expand AWP’s scale and capabilities in maintenance of traffic (MOT) planning, safety equipment sales/rental, and installation services across North America.

Covanta announced the acquisition of SGS Recovery, Frontier Fibers, and Buffalo Fuel Corp., expanding its engineered fuels, waste-to-product, and logistics capabilities. The acquired operations are described as a suite of full-service, non-hazardous industrial waste processing, logistics, and product reuse facilities located in Niagara Falls, New York. The sellers were the Santarosa Group, which owned the three acquired subsidiaries.

GHO Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Sapio Sciences, a US-based informatics platform serving life sciences R&D organizations including biopharmaceutical companies, CROs, and clinical diagnostic labs. The investment, made through GHO Fund III, is intended to drive operational enhancements, international expansion (particularly in Europe), and growth through M&A.

Focus Impact Partners, LLC and Meaningful Partners LLC announced the initial closing of a strategic growth investment in Skiptown, an innovative pet services and social experiences platform. The investment is intended to help Skiptown expand operations and open new locations in additional markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Easy Ice acquired Cube Aire Refrigeration, an ice machine leasing and service company based in Lakeside, California. The deal expands Easy Ice’s presence and service footprint in Southern California by adding a branch location and service facility and transitioning Cube Aire’s customer base onto Easy Ice’s subscription and support platform.

FARO Technologies, Inc. announced it has acquired SiteScape, a provider of LiDAR-based 3D scanning software for the AEC and operations & maintenance markets. FARO plans to integrate SiteScape’s iOS-enabled LiDAR capture capabilities into the FARO Sphere Platform to expand and streamline reality-capture workflows for construction and facilities customers.

Princeton TMX, LLC, a Fort Wayne-based provider of a cloud-based transportation management system (TMS) for industrial shippers, completed a strategic transaction with The Stephens Group, LLC. The investment is intended to accelerate the value Princeton TMX delivers to industrial shippers through modern cloud infrastructure, automation, and optimization capabilities. Software Equity Group (SEG) served as Princeton TMX’s exclusive financial advisor.

Pelco Products Inc., a portfolio company of River Associates Investments, acquired TraffiCalm Systems, LLC and MOR Manufacturing LLC (collectively “TraffiCalm”). The deal expands Pelco’s traffic management and safety offerings, with TraffiCalm continuing to operate from Post Falls, Idaho under existing leadership.

Circle Graphics, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, acquired JONDO, Ltd., a provider of personalized photo products. JONDO will be integrated into Circle’s Sensaria division, expanding Sensaria’s consumer-facing personalized products portfolio. JONDO is headquartered in Yorba Linda, California.

Weinberg Capital Group (WCG) announced the sale of its interest in North American Kitchen Solutions, Inc. (dba Hoodmart), a factory-direct manufacturer and supplier of commercial kitchen ventilation and fire suppression systems. Hoodmart is headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, and WCG had owned the business since early 2016.

Ark Technology Companies acquired VerisVisalign, a full-service Microsoft Gold partner focused on Microsoft implementation, optimization, and licensing support. The deal was facilitated by ITX (a martinwolf M&A Advisors offering) and is intended to broaden Ark Technology’s Microsoft Cloud Partner and business/IT process optimization capabilities.

Rendr and Excelsior Integrated Medical Group agreed to merge to create a larger integrated, multi-specialty medical group in New York City operating under the Rendr name. The combined enterprise is backed by healthcare-focused private equity firms Ascend Capital Partners and Kain Capital and will expand value-based, culturally aligned care for NYC’s underserved Asian American community.

Gravity Global, a B2B growth marketing consultancy backed by Elysian Capital, has acquired Mojo Media Labs to strengthen its US presence and expand its global account-based marketing (ABM) capabilities. The deal adds an Indianapolis, Indiana office and deepens Gravity Global’s ability to integrate and optimize ABM and marketing automation across platforms such as HubSpot, Salesforce, and Marketo.

Biocare Medical, a portfolio company of GHO Capital Partners LLP, announced it has acquired Empire Genomics. The deal expands Biocare Medical’s molecular biomarker and probe offerings for cancer research and diagnostics and adds rapid biomarker development capabilities that can be automated on Biocare’s platforms.

CIVC Partners has closed the sale of Magna Legal Services, a litigation support services provider, to Odyssey Investment Partners. Magna’s senior management team and founders will continue to lead the business and invested alongside Odyssey. Financial terms were not disclosed.

HKW-backed Culture Partners acquired Paradigm Learning to expand its business solutions offering with customizable, instructor-led, game-based leadership development simulations. Paradigm Learning, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Seminole, Florida, will add its leadership training simulations to Culture Partners’ Culture Equation Journey; financial terms were not disclosed.

Construction Partners, Inc. (CPI) acquired three hot-mix asphalt (HMA) plants and related construction operations in the Nashville, Tennessee metro area from Blue Water Industries. The assets will be integrated as a bolt-on to CPI’s Alabama-based platform, Wiregrass Construction Company. As part of the transaction, CPI also received cash and transferred ownership of its Daurity Springs Quarry in North Carolina to Blue Water Industries while retaining aggregate sourcing rights.

Risk Strategies has acquired Wallace Specialty Insurance Group, a dental-industry focused insurance brokerage based in Richardson, Texas. The acquisition expands Risk Strategies’ specialty expertise in serving dental professionals and strengthens its presence in Texas; financial terms were not disclosed.

King Insurance announced that Hunt Insurance Group, LLC has joined the King Insurance team. Hunt is a specialty insurance broker based in Tallahassee, Florida, focused on self-funded property & casualty and medical insurance solutions for housing authorities, prison systems, and municipalities.

Pike Street Capital-backed QuickBox Fulfillment announced a strategic investment in (acquisition of) El Mar Logistics, a warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution services provider based in Carson, California. The transaction expands QuickBox’s network with a fourth geography in Southern California and increases service options for clients, including improved access to major US ports. Pike Street Capital provided additional capital to support the investment.

Wealth Enhancement Group announced the acquisition of BTR Capital Management, Inc., an independent registered investment advisor (RIA) based in Oakland, California, with over $1 billion in client assets. The deal expands Wealth Enhancement Group’s presence in Northern California as part of its broader acquisition-driven growth strategy. Park Sutton Advisors served as BTR’s sole financial advisor on the transaction.

LFM Capital-backed Heartland Steel Holdings, LLC acquired SteelPro, LLC, a designer and fabricator of structural steel solutions. The acquisition expands Heartland’s engineered products capabilities serving commercial, industrial, and material-handling applications; financial terms were not disclosed.

Beti, a cloud-based construction site management software company, raised an $11 million strategic growth investment round led by PSG with participation from 97212 Ventures. The funding will support Beti’s product growth and accelerate its expansion in the United States following the opening of its first U.S. office in Brooklyn, New York.

Edgewater Growth Capital Partners IV-backed P1 Service Group has acquired Essig Plumbing & Heating, a residential HVAC and plumbing services provider based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The acquisition expands P1’s reach into the Mid-Atlantic region, and Essig’s leader Steve Essig will continue to run day-to-day operations while becoming a shareholder in the combined organization.

Rural Healthcare Group (RHG), backed by Kinderhook Industries, acquired four primary care clinics in Northern Middle Tennessee to expand access to care in Robertson and Cheatham Counties. The clinics are located in Pleasant View, Springfield, Greenbrier, and White House, and RHG plans to invest in technology adoption, service expansion, and improved clinical practices.

ENTRUST Solutions Group completed the acquisition of Magellan Advisors LLC. Magellan Advisors provides turnkey fiber and broadband planning, grant development, engineering, design, deployment, and operations services for utilities, municipalities, co-ops, and tribal organizations. ENTRUST (backed by Kohlberg & Company) expects the combination to expand its capabilities in fiber broadband and grid modernization markets.

PCF Insurance Services, a U.S. insurance brokerage firm headquartered in Lehi, Utah, acquired Milwaukee-based Milz Health Group. Milz Health Group is a full-service health insurance agency focused on Medicare-eligible individuals in Wisconsin and Affordable Care Act coverage; financial terms were not disclosed.

Renovus Capital agreed to acquire HBR Consulting's Advisory business, effective November 10, 2022, positioning Renovus as a strategic capital partner for the advisory unit. Following the transaction, the Advisory business will separate and operate independently from HBR’s IT, Managed Services, and Keno Kozie businesses, with a new executive leadership team led by Matt Sunderman.

Salt Creek Capital announced its acquisition of Diamond Nets, Inc., a manufacturer of specialty small-batch netting products used across multiple end markets. Diamond Nets is headquartered in Everson, Washington, and will be led by incoming CEO Chris Dunn as the business enters its next growth phase. The sellers were the company’s owners, Les Powers and John Neal.

Caltius Equity Partners (CEP) has made a significant investment in APHIX, a founder-owned provider of commercial landscape services operating in Kentucky and Tennessee. The transaction marks APHIX’s first partnership with an institutional investor and is intended to support the company’s next phase of growth, including potential add-on acquisitions.

Fortis announced it has acquired Payment Logistics, a payment technology company based in La Jolla, California, to expand Fortis' embedded payments footprint and technology stack. Payment Logistics brings embedded payments partnerships, payment integration capabilities, and a specialized team that will continue operating under founder Dustin Niglio as part of Fortis.

All Metals Industries Inc. (AMI), a portfolio company of Salt Creek Capital, has acquired Gerber Metal Supply Company (Gerber), a regional distributor of metal products. Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) served as Gerber’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

American Beverage Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvest Hill Beverage Company, acquired Poppilu, an organic kids’ lemonade brand founded by Melanie Kahn. The acquisition adds Poppilu’s lemonade pouches to Harvest Hill’s portfolio of children’s beverage brands and supports further expansion in the kids’ beverage category.

Authority Brands acquired DRYmedic Restoration Services, a provider of disaster restoration and cleanup services. The acquired business serves the Detroit, Michigan region and offers recovery services for fire, flood, storm, mold, and asbestos; financial terms were not disclosed.

Centre Partners and Health Enterprise Partners (HEP) jointly invested in Toney Healthcare Consulting (THCC), a clinically oriented healthcare consulting firm serving health plans. THCC founder and CEO Sam Toney, M.D. also invested alongside the firms and will continue to lead the business. As part of the transaction, physician executive Linda Rosenstock, MD, MPH joined THCC’s Board of Directors.

Ryan, a global tax services and software provider, acquired The Funding Portal Inc. (Fundingportal), a grants discovery and screening platform and SaaS provider. The deal expands Ryan’s government funding and grants offerings and broadens its client portfolio across North America and beyond.

Thrive, a provider of cybersecurity and digital transformation managed services, has acquired Custard Technical Services, a U.K. IT support and managed services company. Based in Nottingham, England, Custard strengthens Thrive’s U.K. operations and expands access to managed cybersecurity, cloud services, and automation for Custard’s customers across the East Midlands and surrounding areas.

CertainPath announced a recapitalization in partnership with Frontenac, a Chicago-based private equity firm; financial terms were not disclosed. The partnership is intended to accelerate investment in CertainPath’s technology-enabled training, coaching, and SaaS offerings for home services contractors and to support growth, including through complementary acquisitions.

Chart announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Howden from affiliates of KPS Capital Partners for $4.4 billion, funded through a mix of cash and newly created preferred stock. Howden is a U.K.-headquartered global provider of mission-critical air and gas handling products and services, and the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2023 subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. The combination is expected to generate significant cost and commercial synergies and create a larger engineered equipment and aftermarket services platform.

Likewize signed a definitive agreement for a strategic investment from Genstar Capital, which will join existing private equity sponsor Brightstar Capital Partners to support Likewize’s next phase of growth. Likewize’s management team will retain significant ongoing ownership, and the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023 subject to customary conditions.

Blue Point Capital Partners-backed Stax LLC acquired London-based AMR International, a boutique strategy consulting firm focused on buy- and sell-side commercial due diligence. The deal expands Stax’s presence in the United Kingdom and Europe and represents Stax’s inaugural acquisition to build out the platform internationally.

ANGUS Chemical Company acquired Expression Systems, LLC, a manufacturer of cell culture media, reagents, cell lines, and related services supporting biologics and the baculovirus expression platform. The deal expands ANGUS’ Life Sciences portfolio beyond bio buffers into specialty cell culture media. ANGUS is a portfolio company of Ardian and Golden Gate Capital.

Lometa Capital Partners made a minority equity investment to support Blue Ridge Construction Capital LLC’s acquisition of Artistic Paver Manufacturing. Artistic Paver Manufacturing, a premium decorative concrete paver manufacturer based in North Miami Beach, Florida, will continue operations with founder Dan Essig transitioning from President and CEO to a full-time advisor role and joining the board.

Gravyty announced the acquisition of Fabrik to expand its market leadership in the United Kingdom and strengthen its alumni engagement offering. Fabrik will be integrated into Graduway from Gravyty, supporting alumni engagement, mentoring, and fundraising for schools, colleges, and universities.

Alba Wheels Up, backed by Southfield Capital, acquired KSI Corp., a San Francisco-based provider of customs brokerage services. The deal expands Alba’s West Coast footprint and adds KSI’s expertise serving biotech and semiconductor end markets.

Cantey Tech Consulting, an IT managed service provider (MSP) based in Charleston, South Carolina, acquired Palindrome Consulting, a Hollywood, Florida-based provider of IT managed services. Palindrome’s team, including founder and President Ilan Sredni, joined Cantey Tech as part of the transaction. The acquisition expands Cantey Tech’s footprint into Florida and adds additional service capabilities and resources for Palindrome’s clients.

ResourceWise, a commodity price data, analytics, and consulting provider, acquired UK-based Prima Markets, a global research and data provider focused on low-carbon fuels and the energy value chain. Following the deal, Prima Markets will operate as “Prima Markets, from ResourceWise,” with founder Matthew Stone joining ResourceWise as Managing Director; financial terms were not disclosed.

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has acquired Larry Gordon Agency (LGA) to expand its life insurance, executive benefits, and financial advisory distribution presence in the Midwest under the Vanbridge Life and Executive Benefits umbrella. LGA will continue operating from its Chicago and Rockford, Illinois offices, with current leadership remaining in place.

Concentric Equity Partners (CEP), the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corporation, announced a recapitalization investment in Aruza Pest Control. CEP will partner with Aruza’s leadership team, with co-founder and CRO Christian Ludwig retaining a significant ownership stake and CEO Andrew Beck continuing to lead the business, as the company expands its pest control platform in the Southeast.

Windjammer Capital Investors has sold its portfolio company Hermetic Solutions Group, Inc. (HSG) to Qnnect LLC, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management. HSG designs and manufactures engineered performance and protection solutions for mission-critical electronics used across defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets.

Ecotone, Inc., a portfolio company of L2 Capital, acquired Wilkinson Ecological Design (WED), a New England provider of shoreline restoration and invasive species management solutions. The transaction expands Ecotone’s geographic reach into the Northeast and enhances its vertically integrated ecological restoration service offerings in the United States.

Boosted Commerce announced the acquisition of Happy Healthy Hippie, a vegan and plant-based supplements brand sold on Amazon and Shopify. The deal strengthens Boosted Commerce’s portfolio in the supplements category and expands its presence in better-for-you health products.

ADDMAN Engineering, LLC acquired HARBEC Inc., a diversified contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining, metal and polymer 3D printing, and injection molding. Headquartered in Ontario, New York, HARBEC expands ADDMAN’s polymer product lifecycle capabilities and adds 160 employees, strengthening ADDMAN’s engineering talent and manufacturing footprint.

UKG Inc. announced it has acquired Quorbit, a UK-based workforce planning startup focused on long-term workforce planning for frontline and hourly roles. Quorbit, headquartered in Oxford, England, will be integrated into UKG’s suite to enhance strategic workforce planning and operational insights for UKG customers.

Incline Equity Partners, a Pittsburgh-based private equity firm, announced an investment in Icreon, a digital transformation agency serving enterprise and mid-market clients. Headquartered in New York, Icreon provides digital transformation services including strategy, product design, and back-end engineering, and plans to accelerate growth with Incline’s support.

Infogrid, a building intelligence SaaS provider, has acquired Aquicore, an ESG data and analytics platform for real estate. The deal strengthens Infogrid’s ESG reporting, analytics, and carbon management offering for commercial real estate, with Aquicore’s team joining Infogrid and founder Logan Soya joining its senior leadership team.