Universal Group Acquires Barricades and Signs Ltd.

Universal Group (Barricades and Signs) Acquires Airmaster Sales Ltd.

March 5, 2025

Manufacturing

CAI Capital Partners’ portfolio company Universal Group, through its subsidiary Barricades and Signs Ltd., has acquired Airmaster Sales Ltd., a Winnipeg-based manufacturer of traffic control signs serving Manitoba and Saskatchewan. CAI’s equity co-investors in the combined organization include BDC Capital, Roynat Equity Partners and Frind Enterprises; members of the MacCharles family (Liz, Quentin and Keith) will remain involved during the transition.

Universal Group (CAI-backed) Acquires Groupe Signalisation

May 5, 2022

Transportation

Universal Group, a CAI Capital Partners-backed platform, has acquired Groupe Signalisation (Signalisation de l'Estrie and subsidiaries), a Quebec-based traffic control services and equipment rental company. The add-on expands Universal's geographic presence in Québec and strengthens its national traffic management platform; CAI's co-investors in the combined organization include BDC Capital, Roynat Equity Partners and Frind Enterprises.

Universal Group Acquires Beacon Lite (Ottawa) Ltd. and Signebec

July 22, 2021

Transportation

Universal Group, a portfolio company of CAI Capital Partners, has completed the strategic add-on acquisition of Beacon Lite (Ottawa) Ltd. and Signebec to expand its geographic footprint and create a national platform for traffic control services. CAI’s equity co-investors in the combined organization include BDC Capital, Roynat Equity Partners and Frind Enterprises; debt financing was provided by BMO, CIBC and Scotiabank. Beacon Lite’s leadership (Luc and Simon Lemay) will continue to lead the business and become shareholders of the combined organization.

Blue Sage Capital Acquires Barricades Unlimited

June 2, 2020

Industrial Services

Blue Sage Capital has completed an investment in Barricades Unlimited, a Lubbock, Texas-based provider of traffic control, pavement marking, guardrail installation and related equipment rentals and sales. The private equity firm will provide capital and strategic resources to support Barricades' greenfield expansion and pursue mergers and acquisitions to build the company into a larger, state-wide platform; financial terms were not disclosed.

Caymus Equity Acquires Colorado Barricade Co.

May 28, 2021

Construction

Caymus Equity Partners completed a platform investment in Colorado Barricade Co. in May 2021, partnering with Aberdeen Standard Investments, Reinsurance Group of America, Plexus Capital and company management. Denver-based Colorado Barricade is a full-service provider of roadway safety, pavement marking, traffic control and sign installation; the transaction provides capital to support geographic expansion, capability build-out and growth through potential add-on acquisitions.

The Universal Group (CAI Portfolio) Acquires Advanced Traffic Control (Auburn, WA)

December 6, 2022

Infrastructure

The Universal Group, a CAI Capital Partners portfolio company, has acquired Advanced Traffic Control (ATC), a traffic control services provider based in Auburn, Washington. CAI and co-investors BDC Capital, Roynat Equity Partners and Frind Enterprises backed the transaction as equity co-investors; debt financing was provided by Bank of Montreal, CIBC and Scotiabank. This marks Universal's first U.S. acquisition as part of a contiguous Pacific Northwest expansion, and ATC's founders will remain in leadership and as shareholders.