Branford Castle Partners Acquires Hoffman Engineering

Branford Castle Partners Acquires Lafayette Instrument Company

April 22, 2021

Manufacturing

Branford Castle Partners' affiliate has purchased Lafayette Instrument Company, the Lafayette, Indiana-based manufacturer of polygraph systems and neuroscience research instruments. Brookside Capital Partners provided mezzanine debt and an equity co-investment to support the transaction while Byline Sponsor Finance (Byline Bank) provided senior debt; CEO Jennifer Rider and existing management are reinvesting and will remain with the company.

Hoffman Consultants, LLC Sold to an Individual Investor

February 28, 2025

Engineering Services

Generational Group advised Hoffman Consultants, LLC, a Kentwood, Michigan-based structural engineering and detailing firm, on its sale to an individual investor. The transaction closed February 28, 2025; the buyer was not named in the announcement.

Branford Castle Partners Acquires Testek Solutions

November 12, 2024

Aerospace & Defense

Branford Castle Partners, a North American-focused private equity firm, has acquired Testek Solutions, a Wixom, Michigan-based manufacturer of proprietary aviation component testing equipment, from a fund managed by Odyssey Investment Partners. Testek will serve as a platform investment for Branford Castle's Fund II, with existing management, including CEO Bruce DeWitt, remaining in place; financial terms were not disclosed.

Flexware Innovation Acquires Castle Hill Technologies

July 31, 2024

Engineering Services

Flexware Innovation, a Hitachi group company, acquired Castle Hill Technologies on July 31, 2024 to strengthen its life sciences engineering and automation capabilities and expand operations in North Carolina. Castle Hill will continue to be led by President Robin Lowery and will complement Flexware and JR Automation with expertise in process automation, validation, owner's rep services and system integration.

Keller Acquires Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction

February 8, 2026

Construction

Keller, a Kaukauna, Wisconsin–based design-build general contractor, has acquired Appleton-based Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. Hoffman will operate as “A Keller Company” while retaining its brand and local office; leadership changes include Sam Statz moving to a business development role and Chad Ulman leading Hoffman. The combination aims to bring complementary markets and expand Keller’s project delivery and design-build capabilities while preserving operational continuity.

Hoffmann Family of Companies Acquires Derby Fabricating Solutions

September 22, 2025

Manufacturing

Hoffmann Family of Companies, a family-owned private equity firm, has acquired Derby Fabricating Solutions, a manufacturer of die-cut nonmetallic materials and NVH components serving automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and the appliance industry. Derby operates four Midwest production facilities (Louisville and Cadiz, Kentucky; Sidney, Ohio; Rockford, Michigan) and is IATF 16949 certified; the transaction strengthens Hoffmann's manufacturing vertical and expands its capabilities in automotive component fabrication.