Dobbs Equity Partners Recapitalizes The Universal Group Corporation

Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Universal Woods

March 15, 2019

Building Products

Capital Partners Private Equity Income Fund III, LP completed a majority-equity investment in Universal Woods on March 15, 2019, partnering with CEO and long-time shareholder Paul Neumann and management. The investment will provide Universal Woods — a Louisville-based manufacturer of hard-surface coated substrates for image sublimation and mezzanine decking — with additional resources to support growth, new product development and hiring; debt financing was provided by PNC.

Brixey & Meyer Capital Acquires Universal Distribution Group (UDG)

June 13, 2025

Automotive

Brixey & Meyer Capital (BMC) has acquired Universal Distribution Group (UDG), a Charlotte-based provider of aftermarket automotive shop equipment, installation, and field service. The deal is an add-on to BMC's automotive shop equipment platform—UDG's founder Josh Lyerly retains a stake and will remain in a leadership role—expanding the platform's geographic coverage and heavy-duty/collision repair capabilities across the Southeast.

BDT Capital Partners Makes Strategic Majority Investment in Universal Engineering Sciences; Palm Beach Capital Recaps

October 1, 2021

Engineering Services

BDT Capital Partners has agreed to make a significant strategic investment to become the majority shareholder of Universal Engineering Sciences (UES), joining existing shareholders including Palm Beach Capital, company founders and management. The transaction is a recapitalization that allows Palm Beach Capital to realize meaningful cash proceeds while remaining a major investor and positions UES to continue rapid organic growth and add-on acquisitions across its national footprint.

UPSTACK Acquires Universal Telecommunications and Universal Solutions Providers

April 7, 2022

IT Services

UPSTACK acquired Universal Telecommunications Inc. and sister company Universal Solutions Providers LLC (together, "Universal, the Communications Company") to expand its internet infrastructure advisory and managed services capabilities. Universal's owner Mervyn Gervis will join UPSTACK as a Partner, and Universal's leadership will take senior roles within the combined organization; financial terms were not disclosed.

Halifax Group Invests in Universal Air Conditioner

November 13, 2024

Automotive

Halifax Group completed a growth investment in Universal Air Conditioner, LLC (UAC), a Mansfield, Texas–based designer and distributor of aftermarket HVAC components for cars, trucks and heavy-duty equipment. Co-CEOs Francisco Coll and Sophia Coll Crowley will remain in leadership and retain a significant ownership stake as Halifax provides the company’s first institutional capital to support expansion and platform-building in the automotive aftermarket.

Dunes Point Capital Acquires Unified Door and Hardware Group

July 1, 2019

Building Products

Dunes Point Capital (DPC) has made a controlling equity investment in Unified Door and Hardware Group, a value-add distributor of doors and hardware headquartered in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Dunes Point Capital Fund II provided the controlling equity while debt financing was provided by funds managed or advised by GSO Capital Partners LP and M&T Bank; Unified operates 15 locations across 10 states and employs approximately 500 people.