Commercial Energy Specialists Holdings Acquires Duffield Aquatics, Inc.

Aquafinity (Turning Basin-backed) Acquires Aquatic Environmental Systems

September 28, 2023

Environmental Services

Commercial Energy Specialists Holdings LLC (dba Aquafinity), a Turning Basin Capital and Vigeo Investments-backed platform, has acquired Aquatic Environmental Systems, Inc. (AES), a Tempe, Arizona-based provider of full-service water treatment solutions for commercial and institutional swimming pools in Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas. The add-on deal, which closed June 30, 2023, expands Aquafinity’s geographic presence in the Southwest; terms were not disclosed.

Turning Basin Capital and Vigeo Investments Invest in Commercial Energy Specialists

June 18, 2021

Environmental Services

Turning Basin Capital and Vigeo Investments completed an investment in Commercial Energy Specialists (CES), a Jupiter, Florida-based provider of service-supported distribution and water quality management solutions. The firms are partnering with CES management—led by CEO Alvaro Mendoza, who remains a significant owner—to scale the business nationally as a platform for consolidation in the commercial water quality market; terms were not disclosed and BankUnited provided senior debt financing.

LNC Partners Invests in Commercial Energy Specialists

December 14, 2021

Industrial Services

LNC Partners provided senior debt and equity to Commercial Energy Specialists (CES), a Jupiter, Florida-based, tech-enabled, service-supported distributor of water treatment equipment and supplies backed by Turning Basin Capital and Vigeo Investments. The capital package is intended to support CES’s acquisitive growth strategy and enable add-on acquisitions by the platform.

Commercial Energy Specialists Holdings Acquires Knorr Systems, Inc.

May 9, 2022

Environmental Services

Commercial Energy Specialists Holdings LLC (CES Holdings), a platform formed by Turning Basin Capital Partners and Vigeo Investments with CEO Alvaro Mendoza, acquired Knorr Systems, Inc. (KSI), a Santa Ana, California-based provider of service-supported distribution and water quality control equipment for commercial and institutional pools. LNC Partners provided financing (senior subordinated term loan and equity co-investment); KSI's management, led by President Rich Robert, will remain to support geographic expansion and integration into CES's Q5 Water Quality Management program.

Jones Fish Acquires Aqua Services

March 22, 2023

Environmental Services

Jones Fish Hatcheries & Distributors, LLC has completed the acquisition of Aqua Services, Inc., a Guntersville, Alabama-based provider of large-scale reservoir aquatic plant control, water quality enhancement and fisheries management services. The deal, supported by Jones Fish's partner Fort Point Capital, expands Jones Fish's service offering and footprint in the Southeastern United States.

Blackford Capital Invests in Aqua‑Leisure Industries

January 13, 2021

Consumer Products

Grand Rapids-based private equity firm Blackford Capital announced a majority investment in Aqua‑Leisure Industries, a Boston-area designer, manufacturer and distributor of water-sport and pool leisure consumer products. Blackford said it will support organic growth, expand distribution and pursue add-on acquisitions while the Aqua‑Leisure management team remains in place; financing partners included Mercantile Bank and Muzinich & Co., with Rush Street advising on debt financing.