Blackstone and Madison Dearborn Invest in Air Control Concepts

Blackstone Acquires Madison Dearborn's Remaining Stake in AIR Control Concepts

January 9, 2026

HVAC & Mechanical

Blackstone has acquired Madison Dearborn Partners' remaining equity stake in AIR Control Concepts, making Blackstone the sole institutional investor after an initial investment in July 2024. AIR founder and CEO Brad Hobbs and his family are reinvesting alongside Blackstone as the company pursues continued expansion—including opportunities in data centers and adjacent service areas—across 35 U.S. states and Canada with more than 38 operating companies and roughly 1,900 associates.

AIR Control Concepts (Blackstone) Acquires Technical Air Systems, Inc.

February 19, 2026

HVAC & Mechanical

AIR Control Concepts, a portfolio company of Blackstone, has acquired Technical Air Systems, Inc., an ESOP-owned regional HVAC manufacturers' representative based in Morristown, New Jersey. The deal positions Technical Air to leverage AIR's national platform and resources to accelerate growth across the New York/New Jersey market and preserve the company's local relationships and entrepreneurial culture.

Air Control Concepts Acquires Five HVAC Manufacturer Representative Firms

July 23, 2024

Building Products

Air Control Concepts (AIR) completed the acquisition of five regional HVAC manufacturer representative firms — Northrich Company, Air Components, Dorse and Company, JJP Mechanical Reps, LLC, and ThermAir Systems — expanding AIR’s geographic footprint, capabilities and manufacturer relationships across the United States. Each acquired firm will continue to operate under its existing brand while joining AIR’s network of commercial HVAC operating companies.

AIR Control Concepts Acquires Force Equipment HVAC

July 17, 2025

HVAC & Mechanical

AIR Control Concepts, a Norfolk, Virginia–headquartered commercial HVAC platform, has acquired Force Equipment HVAC, a nine-year-old commercial HVAC manufacturers' representative based in Elkhorn, Nebraska. The add-on expands AIR's Midwest footprint—bringing additional sales, service and parts support to Nebraska customers while providing Force's team access to AIR's broader resources and network.

Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in Emerson Climate Technologies (Rebranded Copeland)

October 31, 2022

Manufacturing

Private equity funds managed by Blackstone acquired a majority stake in Emerson's Climate Technologies business (rebranded as Copeland) in a transaction valuing the business at $14.0 billion. Emerson received approximately $9.7 billion in upfront cash, a $2.25 billion seller note and retained a minority equity stake while Blackstone (with co-investors ADIA and GIC) will support Copeland's growth as a standalone HVACR leader; Copeland reported fiscal 2022 sales of $5.0 billion and employs over 18,000 people.

Blackstone-led Consortium Acquires Emerson's Remaining Interest in Copeland

June 6, 2024

Manufacturing

Private equity funds managed by Blackstone, with investment from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and GIC, will acquire Emerson's remaining 40% interest in the Copeland joint venture (formerly Emerson Climate Technologies) for approximately $3.5 billion. The deal — in which Copeland will repurchase the seller's note — furthers Emerson's portfolio simplification and is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.