Buyout Acquisitions in 2014

CenturyLink, Inc. acquired Cognilytics, a San Jose–based provider of advanced predictive analytics and Big Data solutions, to bolster CenturyLink's IT services, cloud and managed analytics offerings. The acquisition brings Cognilytics' expertise in decision sciences, SAP HANA and Big Data deployments into CenturyLink's portfolio to help enterprise customers accelerate Big Data adoption and monetize data.

Upland Software agreed to acquire Mobile Commons, a cloud-based mobile messaging and engagement platform, to add mobile messaging capabilities to its Enterprise Work Management product portfolio. The acquisition is expected to increase Upland's annualized revenues and broaden its digital engagement and marketing capabilities for customers across healthcare, education, government and nonprofit sectors.

MRM//McCann, the global customer-experience marketing agency within McCann Worldgroup/Interpublic Group, has acquired Optaros, a Boston-based digital eCommerce consulting and services provider founded in 2004. Optaros will operate as a unit within MRM//McCann, remaining headquartered in Boston and led by CEO Rob Willms, with the deal intended to expand MRM//McCann's e-commerce capabilities and integrated customer experience offerings.

First-Tek has acquired iFusionIT, a Pacific Northwest software staffing and consulting firm, in a strategic transaction announced by ACT Capital Advisors. The sellers were iFusionIT's shareholders, and the deal expands First-Tek's staffing and consulting capabilities and presence in the Pacific Northwest.

Naples-based Pelican Wire Company has acquired Rubadue Wire of Greeley, Colorado, and will operate the businesses as sister companies under a newly formed Pelican Holdings Group. Rubadue will retain its brand, facility, and management team while the combination is intended to expand product offerings and leverage the strengths of both manufacturing plants.

AVANTech, Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina has reached a definitive agreement to combine with Diversified Technologies Services, Inc. (DTS) of Knoxville, Tennessee, with DTS becoming a division of AVANTech. The transaction integrates DTS's field services, system leasing and products with AVANTech's engineering, design and manufacturing capabilities to expand radioactive and industrial liquid treatment offerings for nuclear, utility and industrial customers worldwide.

Monroe Engineering Products, LLC acquired Northwest Fastener Sales, Inc., a Tualatin, Oregon-based industrial distributor of threaded fasteners, with the deal closing October 31, 2014. The acquisition expands Monroe's product offering and presence in the Pacific Northwest while pairing Northwest Fastener Sales' customer relationships and manufacturer's representative capabilities with Monroe's broader distribution and manufacturing platform.

VMware, Inc. has acquired MomentumSI, Inc., an Austin-based IT consultancy specializing in cloud migration, big data, advanced architecture, and DevOps. 7 Mile Advisors acted as exclusive sell-side advisor; terms were not disclosed. The acquisition expands VMware’s cloud migration and professional services capabilities for enterprise clients.

Canadian-based NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Corp., through its U.S. subsidiary NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Services, Inc., acquired Great Falls–based H&H Crane Service Inc. Founder Tom Harant has taken an ownership interest in NCSG and will continue to run the local business as NCSG expands its crane and heavy-haul capabilities in the Great Falls region.

Mandalay Digital Group, through its Digital Turbine business, agreed to acquire Appia, a leading independent mobile app install and user-acquisition network, in a stock-and-debt transaction announced November 13, 2014. The deal issues Appia stockholders equity in Mandalay (at $4.50 per share implied) and is intended to create a unified mobile app and advertising ecosystem, delivering revenue synergies and cost savings; Mandalay plans to change its name to Digital Turbine.

Priority Ambulance announced it will purchase Trans Am Ambulance Services, Inc., subject to New York State Department of Health and NY Department of Transportation approvals. The acquisition adds Trans Am’s emergency and nonemergency medical transport operations in and around Olean, New York to Priority’s national ambulance network; Trans Am’s existing management (including Todd and Anna Reisner) will remain in place.

SheKnows, a digital media company focused on women's lifestyle content, has acquired the blogging network BlogHer. The acquisition expands SheKnows' digital audience and strengthens its appeal to advertisers by adding BlogHer's community and content network.

Genex Services, a leading provider of managed care services, has acquired M Hayes, a case management firm serving workers' compensation and disability insurance markets. The acquisition (financial terms undisclosed) adds roughly 100 employee case managers to Genex's clinical capabilities and brings M Hayes' founders into leadership roles within Genex to ensure a smooth customer transition.

ATI Physical Therapy has acquired Apple Physical Therapy, a Puyallup, Washington–based provider of physical, massage, occupational and hand therapy. The deal brings Apple’s local clinics and staff into ATI’s national platform to support ATI’s expansion into the Pacific Northwest while maintaining Apple’s local operations.

Brillio, a privately-held global technology consulting and services firm, has acquired Marketelligent, an advanced analytics solutions provider. Brillio will integrate Marketelligent's ~100 employees into its Analytics Practice to expand advanced analytics and predictive capabilities for clients across banking, CPG, retail, telecom, energy and media.

Denver-based technology and business services firm Tectonic has acquired Chicago-based CRM consultancy Sakonent. The acquisition brings Sakonent’s CRM, marketing automation and analytics expertise into Tectonic’s Insight-to-Action cloud offerings; terms were not disclosed.

Sophos has acquired cloud security startup Mojave Networks to strengthen its cloud-managed and appliance-based security offerings. The deal will integrate Mojave’s cloud web- and mobile-security technology into Sophos Cloud and its network security appliances, bringing improved web filtering, hybrid deployment options and SMB-friendly management to Sophos customers.

Data Strategy, a Grand Rapids-based IT solutions provider, has completed the acquisition of Network Storage Inc., an Indianapolis/Louisville IT solutions firm. The deal expands Data Strategy's regional footprint across the Midwest and combines the two companies' capabilities in data center technologies, security, cloud and managed services into a single organization of nearly 100 employees headquartered in Grand Rapids.

Affinity Global has acquired the business of Chicago-based Leading Edge Recovery Solutions, LLC to strengthen its U.S. accounts receivable management and collections capabilities. Leading Edge founders Bryan Lubeck and Derrick Crews will remain with the business following the October 1 closing, which was not disclosed financially.

Bubbies of San Francisco has acquired Othentic Foods, a New Jersey-based importer of USDA-certified organic and all-natural pickles, sauerkraut and other preserved vegetables from Poland. The acquisition expands Bubbies' specialty fermented and pickled product portfolio and is intended to capture cost and market synergies across natural and specialty grocery channels.

Quartet Merger Corp. announced that its stockholders approved a business combination with Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd., a provider of maritime logistics and dry bulk transportation services. The transaction will combine Pangaea's shipping, vessel chartering and voyage planning capabilities with Quartet's blank-check vehicle to provide Pangaea access to public markets and liquidity for shareholders.

TravelCenters of America LLC acquired the landmark Johnson's Corner truck stop and restaurant in Johnstown, Colorado, adding the location to its Petro Stopping Centers network. The acquisition expands TA/Petro's travel center footprint and preserves the site's restaurant and bakery while integrating the location into TA's professional-driver amenities and services.

Innovation Group (LSE: TIG) has acquired Texas-based Driven Solutions, Inc., a provider of emergency roadside and towing services supporting insurers, fleets and auto club programs in the U.S. and Canada. Driven's senior management, including CEO Craig Hamway, will join Innovation Group and the business will continue to operate from its Texas location; Preston Todd Advisors advised Innovation Group on the transaction.

Eldorado Resorts, Inc. completed its merger with MTR Gaming Group, Inc., creating a combined company (renamed Eldorado Resorts, Inc.) that will trade on NASDAQ under the ticker ERI. The combination expands Eldorado's portfolio to six properties across multiple U.S. states and positions the company for greater geographic diversification and scale; MTR stockholders received a mix of cash and Eldorado shares per the merger terms.

DataArt has acquired AW Systems, a web engineering and consulting firm, and will incorporate the AW Systems team into its operations. The deal enables DataArt to open a development center in Buenos Aires, expanding its global delivery footprint and front-end development and UX capabilities across its key verticals.

Pro Mach, Inc. has acquired Benchmark Automation, a manufacturer of specialty material handling and packaging equipment based in Athens, Georgia. The acquisition expands Pro Mach’s material handling capabilities and strengthens its solutions for the food and bakery markets, with Benchmark’s leadership team joining Pro Mach’s Material Handling Group.

Sprinklr has acquired Branderati, an influencer advocacy solution, and will integrate Branderati’s advocacy capabilities into its enterprise social software platform. Mark Curtis, Branderati’s founder and CEO, will join Sprinklr as General Manager to lead the advocacy product within Sprinklr.

Mumbai-based photo printing and personalized-gifting company ZoomIn Online has acquired San Francisco-based photography community and e-commerce site Photojojo. The acquisition is financed by a fresh Rs 50 crore funding round led by Lightbox Ventures with participation from First Round Capital and Gund Investments; Photojojo's ~20-person team will be integrated into ZoomIn as the combined business targets ~Rs 180 crore in revenue next fiscal.

Mountain Aviation, Inc., a Broomfield, Colorado-based aircraft charter, management and maintenance company, was acquired by an unnamed private investment group. The new ownership will keep existing management in place and seeks to grow Mountain Aviation's position in the Rocky Mountain region while expanding services into the oil & gas and government markets.

P&F Industries, Inc. acquired substantially all assets of Air Tool Service Company (ATSCO) via a newly formed subsidiary, with the business becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of P&F’s Hy‑Tech Machine, Inc. The purchase price was approximately $7.659 million in cash plus assumption of certain payables and liabilities; P&F said the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive and to bolster Hy‑Tech’s industrial pneumatic tool offering.

Adecco Group acquired OnForce and will merge the company into Beeline’s portfolio to create an integrated vendor management system (VMS) and freelancer management system (FMS) offering. The combined solution aims to give customers unified, cloud-based access to supplier-managed contingent workers and a vetted network of independent contractors to simplify extended workforce sourcing and management.

Succession Capital Inc., a subsidiary of Lynx Equity Limited, has acquired Wine Valley Siding Supply, a Bothell, Washington-based distributor of Western Red Cedar and fiber cement siding. The acquisition expands Succession/Lynx's portfolio of small-to-medium businesses and is intended to support Wine Valley's growth plans while providing an exit for the selling owners.

Enghouse Systems Limited acquired Jinny Software Limited from Acotel Group S.p.A. for approximately $19.3 million. Jinny, headquartered in Dublin, provides mobile value-added services, rich communications and diameter signaling management solutions (about $24.6M revenue in FY2013 and ~190 employees), and the deal expands Enghouse's product portfolio and geographic footprint.

The Firefly Group, LLC has acquired Express Medical Transporters (EMT), a St. Louis–based provider of non-emergency medical and student transportation with 10 locations across seven states. DVS served as buy-side advisor and structured a deal that includes equity incentives for management to support future growth; the sellers sought a liquidity event.

Tecan Group (SIX: TECN) has acquired IBL International, a Hamburg-based specialist in microtiter plate immunoassays, for EUR 29.0 million in cash. IBL will join Tecan’s Life Sciences Business to enable integrated instrument-plus-reagent solutions for specialty diagnostics, supporting Tecan’s shift toward higher recurring revenues.

Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm, has completed an investment in Schryver Medical Holdings, Inc., a Denver-headquartered provider of mobile imaging, clinical laboratory services, oxygen therapy and durable medical equipment rental. The investment will support Schryver's organic growth and enable the company to pursue acquisitions to expand service offerings and geographic coverage.

Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC), the growth private equity arm of Bridgepoint, has acquired Phlexglobal, a UK-based provider of Trial Master File (TMF) and electronic TMF (eTMF) solutions and services. BDC plans to support Phlexglobal's technology development and international expansion to grow its client base across pharma, biotech and CRO markets.

Nicox S.A. agreed to acquire Aciex Therapeutics, Inc., a U.S.-based ophthalmic development company, in a share-exchange deal that will transfer 100% of Aciex to Nicox. The transaction (approved by Nicox shareholders on October 22, 2014) issues 20,627,024 new Nicox shares for Aciex equity and includes contingent value rights giving up to $55 million in potential additional consideration tied to FDA approvals, and is intended to broaden Nicox's ophthalmic development pipeline.

Heartland Payment Systems acquired TouchNet Information Systems, a provider of integrated commerce and payments solutions for higher-education institutions, for $375 million. The deal adds TouchNet's U.Commerce platform, ~180 employees and more than 600 higher-education clients to Heartland's Campus Solutions business, positioning Heartland as a leader in the higher-education payments market.

Cisco Systems agreed to acquire Stockholm-based Tail-f Systems, a provider of multi-vendor network service orchestration software, for about $175 million in cash and incentives. The acquisition brings Tail-f's model-driven orchestration and Network Control System (NCS) into Cisco's Cloud and Virtualization Group to accelerate Cisco's cloud virtualization, NFV and multi-vendor orchestration strategy.

Actuant Corporation (NYSE:ATU) has acquired Kwikee Products Company, a Cottage Grove, Oregon-based maker of actuation and storage systems for the North American recreational vehicle market, in an asset purchase valued at approximately $30 million. Kwikee, which employs about 115 people across Oregon and Indiana and generated roughly $24 million trailing twelve-month sales, will operate within Actuant's Engineered Solutions segment and be combined with Actuant's Power Gear business to capture product and customer synergies.

Kelly Investment Group of San Diego acquired S.S. of Kansas, Inc., including 16 Sirloin Stockade, Montana Mike's and Coyote Canyon restaurants in Kansas and Oklahoma. The deal, which closed on June 4, 2014, was advised by Aethlon Capital and provides an exit for long-time franchisee CEO Gale Premer.

Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, acquired AEROSOLES, the Edison, New Jersey-based footwear brand, in a majority buyout announced June 9, 2014. Palladin will provide capital and operational support to expand AEROSOLES' retail, wholesale and e-commerce distribution (the company sells in ~30 countries, ~4,000 doors and operates ~120 retail/outlet locations); financing for the deal included debt from Wells Fargo and THL Credit.

EPAM Systems, Inc. has acquired GGA Software Services LLC, a Cambridge-based provider of scientific informatics and software engineering services for the life sciences industry. 7 Mile Advisors served as exclusive sell-side advisor to GGA in the transaction, which expands EPAM’s capabilities in scientific informatics and life-sciences-focused software services.

TECSYS Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire all shares of Logi-D Holding Inc., a Laval, Quebec–based provider of point-of-use technology for hospital supply chain automation, for $2,950,000 in cash plus $100,000 in TECSYS common shares. The deal, expected to close May 31, 2014 subject to customary conditions and TSX approval, will combine complementary product lines to expand TECSYS's healthcare supply chain offerings; Logi-D reported FY2013 revenue of $5.57M and about 27 employees.

The Arnold Agency, a longtime marketing and media firm headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, was acquired by the Asher Agency (under Eastport Holdings) effective April 15. The Arnold Agency will be rebranded as Asher's West Virginia office; founder Linda Arnold will remain available as a consultant while Asher expands its regional presence and client services.

Genpact Ltd. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pharmalink Consulting, a provider of regulatory affairs services to the life sciences industry, and completed the transaction in May 2014. The acquisition expands Genpact's life sciences capabilities—adding regulatory strategy, CMC, regulatory operations and publishing services—and brings Pharmalink employees in the US, UK, India, Ireland and Puerto Rico into Genpact's Life Sciences vertical.

Heartland Payment Systems (Heartland School Solutions) acquired MCS Software, a Madisonville, Louisiana-based provider of K-12 school foodservice POS, back-office and online payment solutions. The deal expands Heartland’s School Solutions division by adding MCS’s software products and its nationwide customer base of more than 4,000 K-12 schools, strengthening Heartland’s position in the K-12 payments and nutrition management market.

EPAM Systems, Inc. has acquired Netsoft USA (Netsoft Holdings, LLC), a New York–based technology services firm known for application development, UX design and industry-specific solutions. 7 Mile Advisors served as the exclusive sell-side advisor; the deal expands EPAM’s outsourced application development and user-experience capabilities across financial services, healthcare, distribution and life sciences markets.

Pivotal Payments has acquired substantially all of the assets of Phoenix-based Capital Processing Network (CPN), adding more than $2 billion in annual processing volume and assimilating CPN's staff. The transaction expands Pivotal's direct sales channels across key U.S. markets and enhances its payments technology and cross-selling capabilities.