Manufacturing Acquisitions in Washington

Carsoe has acquired Ryco Equipment, a supplier of seafood processing machinery and services, in a deal effective immediately. The acquisition expands Carsoe's product portfolio and strengthens its service and parts capabilities in the US market.

Pike Street Capital, a Seattle-based growth-oriented private equity firm, has made a strategic growth investment in DigiStor (formerly CRU Data Security Group), a Vancouver, Washington-based manufacturer of secure data-at-rest SSDs and removable storage. The capital will support DigiStor's product expansion, OEM partnerships, geographic expansion, and potential strategic acquisitions to accelerate growth and innovation.

Ben Bridge Jeweler has acquired Olympic Manufacturing, a Bellevue-based custom jewelry shop founded in 1975, to vertically integrate manufacturing and repair capabilities. Financial terms were not disclosed; Olympic will remain in Bellevue and will continue servicing other local retailers.

Seacoast Capital has joined Bochi Investments to provide a unitranche debt and preferred equity financing supporting a recapitalization of Superior Fruit Equipment, a Wenatchee, Washington-based manufacturer of pruning tools and harvest equipment. The deal, led by Bochi, provides liquidity to certain shareholders and growth capital to support the company’s expansion and operations; terms were not disclosed.

San Francisco Equity Partners (SFEP) has acquired a majority stake in Formula Corp, a Washington-based formulator and contract manufacturer of cleaning products for consumer and professional end markets. Formula Corp co-founders Chas Werner and Alan Gangl will remain shareholders; Alexander Hutton acted as exclusive financial advisor to Formula Corp. SFEP said it will support Formula’s growth leveraging its experience building private-label and specialty manufacturing businesses focused on sustainable formulations and eco-friendly packaging.

Saothair Capital Partners has acquired a majority equity stake in T BAILEY, LLC, a vertically integrated manufacturer of above-ground industrial tanks, pressure vessels, marine pontoons and other large custom steel solutions based in Anacortes, Washington. Founder and CEO Gene Tanaka will remain in a meaningful ownership position and continue to lead the business; financing was provided by Polen Capital and legal/financial advisors included McGuireWoods, Holland & Hart and TM Capital.

Sofidel Group (through Sofidel America Corp.) completed the $1.06 billion cash acquisition of Clearwater Paper Corporation's tissue business (CLW Tissue). The deal transfers four U.S. production plants (Shelby, NC; Lewiston, ID; Las Vegas, NV; Elwood, IL) and ~1,700 employees to Sofidel, increasing Sofidel's North American capacity by about 25% and making it the fourth-largest tissue producer in North America; Clearwater Paper will use proceeds to reduce debt and focus on paperboard packaging.

AZ Wire & Cable has acquired Gen-Pro, a Gig Harbor, Washington-based maker of generator-related cables and accessories, expanding AZ's product portfolio for home standby generator, solar, pool/spa and EV charger installers. The deal strengthens AZ Wire & Cable's one-stop distributor position and brings Gen-Pro's Made-in-USA TCERDirect branded products and related lines into AZ's national distribution network.

Seattle-based private equity firm Westward Partners has acquired Globe Machine, a 107-year-old Tacoma manufacturer of complex factory machinery and automation. Westward says the deal will accelerate Globe's growth — expanding aftermarket parts and services, deepening industrial automation and robotics capabilities, and leveraging the firm's Northwest geographic focus and resources.

Austin-based private equity firm Blue Sage Capital completed an investment in American Alloy, a Spokane, Washington-based metal component and sub-assembly manufacturer. Blue Sage will partner with management (COO Brett Stevens was named CEO) to support organic growth and pursue M&A to expand American Alloy’s presence across packaging, food & beverage, industrial automation, mining and other industrial end markets.

Bruker Corporation has acquired Nion, a Kirkland, Washington developer and manufacturer of high-end scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM), including the UltraSTEM line and advanced EELS technology. The acquisition strengthens Bruker's materials science instrumentation portfolio and provides capabilities for electron diffraction crystallography; Nion reported approximately $8 million in revenue in 2023. Financial terms were not disclosed.

RØDE Microphones has acquired Loud Audio, LLC (the Mackie brand) from Transom Capital Group. The strategic purchase combines Mackie's pro-audio product portfolio with RØDE's manufacturing and technology capabilities to accelerate product development and expand market reach.

ShawKwei & Partners, an Asian private equity investor, made a US$34.3 million growth investment in Group14 Technologies, a U.S. manufacturer of advanced silicon-based battery materials. The capital will support Group14's commercial-scale manufacturing expansion (including factories in Washington State and a JV in South Korea) and strengthen its supply chain after the acquisition of Schmid Silicon in Germany.

Bron Tapes, a Rotunda Capital Partners portfolio company, has acquired Seattle-based GaffTech, maker of the GaffGun tape applicator and associated tapes. The deal expands Bron Tapes’ arts & entertainment and floor-taping product offerings and is the first acquisition since Bron Tapes partnered with Rotunda Capital Partners earlier in 2023.

Aimia Inc.'s Tufropes subsidiary has acquired Cortland Industrial, LLC from Enerpac Tool Group Corp. for $26.6 million. The deal gives Tufropes a U.S. footprint (manufacturing locations in Anacortes, WA and Houston, TX), expands its engineered synthetic‑rope product portfolio and is immediately accretive to earnings.

The Kadey-Krogen Group has acquired La Conner, Washington-based boatbuilder American Tugs. The deal will preserve each brand while expanding distribution, service and refit capabilities—leveraging Kadey-Krogen's sales offices and American Tugs' West Coast manufacturing and engineering team.

Toronto-based private equity firm Lynx Equity Limited has acquired Buse Timber & Sales Inc., a specialty sawmill in Everett, Washington, to expand its wood re-manufacturing platform. The deal was financed by Windsor Capital and was represented by ACT Capital Advisors; Lynx said Buse will continue operating under existing management while being integrated with its sister wood businesses.

Northwest Metalcraft, a Marysville, Washington-based full-service manufacturer, acquired Caliber Precision, a CNC machining shop in Mount Vernon, Washington, in January 2023. The deal expands Northwest Metalcraft's geographic footprint and brings additional CNC machining and prototype-to-production capabilities to its service offering.

Aaron Kruger, owner of the Minuteman Press franchise in Puyallup, Washington, acquired 25-year printing business Advantage Graphics from John and Joyce Lee, with the deal completed January 11, 2023. The acquisition expands the Minuteman Press center's client base and in-house capabilities (wide-format printing and mailings), and is expected to nearly double sales.

Salt Creek Capital, a San Francisco Bay Area private equity firm, has acquired Diamond Nets, Inc., a specialty netting manufacturer headquartered in Everson, Washington. The transaction represents an ownership transition from long-time owners Les Powers and John Neal to Salt Creek, which plans to grow the business under incoming CEO Chris Dunn.

Atlas Holdings has completed the acquisition of Crown Paper Group, including Port Townsend Paper Corporation and Crown Corrugated Company. The deal brings an integrated containerboard mill, converting facilities and distribution centers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Western Canada into Atlas's portfolio as the firm seeks to strengthen its paper, packaging and distribution capabilities in the region.

Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions, a CORE Industrial Partners portfolio company, has acquired IDL Precision Machining, a Mukilteo, Washington-based manufacturer of complex precision CNC components and assemblies serving aerospace & defense and industrial end markets. The transaction is an add-on to the recently relaunched Cadrex platform and expands the platform's precision machining capabilities and footprint in the Pacific Northwest.

Bell Lumber & Pole Co. has acquired the assets of The Oeser Company, a family-owned utility pole manufacturer and treated-wood products supplier based in Bellingham, Washington. The asset purchase expands Bell’s manufacturing footprint and strengthens its presence in the Pacific Northwest while preserving ongoing operations and jobs at the Bellingham plant.

Stellex Capital Management completed a platform investment in RTC Aerospace LLC, a manufacturer of high-precision machined components for commercial and military aerospace customers. Stellex will support RTC’s organic growth and pursue an M&A-focused expansion strategy while existing investor/executive Brad Hart remains on the cap table and Dave Herr joins as a partner for growth.

Molded Dimensions, a ShoreView portfolio company, has acquired GlobalTech Plastics, an injection molding manufacturer headquartered in Fife, Washington. The add-on expands Molded Dimensions' plastics capabilities and customer base across medical, transportation and electronic enclosure end markets.

Aiglon Capital, together with Merit Capital Partners, founder Robert Propét and company management, has acquired Propét Footwear, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of comfort and medical footwear headquartered in Auburn, Washington. Merit provided subordinated debt and equity to support the transaction as Aiglon executes its strategy of building market-leading manufacturing and distribution platforms in the lower middle market.

Tekni-Plex has acquired the assets and licensed technologies of Fibro Corporation, a Tacoma, Washington-based molded-fiber packaging developer, and folded the resources into its Dolco Packaging business. The acquisition expands Tekni-Plex's pulp-based and sustainable packaging capabilities for fresh food applications, enabling broader product offerings beyond egg cartons and meat trays.

Allied Motion Technologies Inc. acquired Spectrum Controls, Inc., a Bellevue, Washington–based designer and manufacturer of industrial I/O modules, displays and communications gateways, for a total purchase price of $70 million (approximately $45 million paid at closing, with $25 million deferred). Spectrum, founded in 1983 with about 72 employees, will expand Allied Motion’s industrial automation product portfolio and engineering capabilities and is expected to be accretive to earnings and gross margin.

One Equity Partners (OEP) completed the acquisitions of USNR and Wood Fiber Group and merged the two businesses to create an integrated supplier of wood processing equipment, automation systems, and aftermarket parts and consumables. The combined company is projected to have 2021 revenues greater than $500 million and will capitalize on complementary product lines, expanded technical capacity, and a broad installed base across global wood-processing markets.

LFM Capital, a Nashville-based private equity firm, has invested in Rainier Industries, a long-established manufacturer of residential and commercial shade, shelter and display solutions headquartered in Tukwila, Washington. The Campbell family will remain involved as minority owners while LFM plans to partner with management to drive growth and operational improvements; terms were not disclosed.

Silgan Holdings Inc. acquired Unicep Packaging for $237 million to expand its precision dosing and dispensing packaging capabilities. Unicep operates two manufacturing facilities in Spokane, Washington and Sandpoint, Idaho and was projected to generate approximately $45 million in sales and $18.3 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2021.

Trilantic North America agreed to acquire the On Demand Manufacturing business from 3D Systems and has rebranded the business as Quickparts. The deal, completed in September 2021, includes industry veteran Ziad Abou (former SVP/GM of the unit) as CEO and a team of industry executives partnering with Trilantic to grow the global on‑demand 3D printing and custom manufacturing platform.

Creative Foam Corporation, a portfolio company of Industrial Opportunity Partners, has acquired the assets of RAM Technologies. The acquisition expands Creative Foam's Healthcare division capabilities and customer base coast-to-coast by adding RAM's foam, plastic and nonwoven converting and fabrication capabilities; terms were not disclosed.

New Mountain Capital has led a recapitalization of Ascensus Specialties, with Wind Point Partners exiting its prior fund position while reinvesting alongside New Mountain through a special purpose vehicle anchored by Blackstone Strategic Partners. Ascensus, a Bellevue, Washington-based specialty chemicals manufacturer and global leader in borohydride, borane and specialty alcoholate reagents, will use the new capital to support R&D, product innovation and continued growth across pharmaceutical, microelectronics and other specialty end markets.

Boyd Corporation has acquired GMN, a Seattle-based developer of customized engineered-material solutions including graphic overlays, capacitive touch devices, optical encoders and PTC heaters. The acquisition expands Boyd’s engineered materials and human-machine interface capabilities to better serve regulated end markets such as medical, eMobility and aerospace and will operate as part of the Boyd global manufacturing footprint.

Bridge Brothers, Inc., a private manufacturing firm based in Atlanta, acquired Topper Industries, Inc., a Woodland, Washington manufacturer of commercial floating marine structures. ACT Capital Advisors advised Topper Industries on the transaction; the acquisition expands Bridge Brothers' capability set in marine and prefabricated access structures.

Peloton completed the acquisition of Precor for $420 million in cash, establishing a U.S. manufacturing footprint and strengthening its R&D and commercial fitness capabilities. The deal brings Precor’s commercial fitness equipment business and connected-fitness technology into Peloton to accelerate penetration of hotels, campuses, multi-family and other commercial verticals.

Patrick Industries, Inc. completed the acquisition of Everett, Washington–based Sea-Dog Corporation and sister company Sea-Lect Plastics. The combined businesses (2020 revenues ~ $20 million) expand Patrick's marine aftermarket and injection-molding capabilities and are expected to be immediately accretive; the transaction was funded under Patrick's credit facility and preserves Sea‑Dog's brand and operations under the Nysether family management.

Federal Signal Corporation completed the acquisition of OSW Equipment & Repair, LLC (including Northend Truck Equipment and Western Truck Body) for $52.5 million in cash. The deal expands Federal Signal's Truck Bodies and Equipment platform geographically across the U.S. West Coast, Arizona and parts of Canada and adds manufacturing and upfitting capabilities serving infrastructure, construction and industrial end markets.

Creation Technologies acquired Applied Technical Services (ATS) on May 5, 2020 to expand its manufacturing footprint in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico and to broaden capabilities in Aerospace & Defense, Medical, and Tech Industrial markets. ATS is a privately held EMS provider with ~500 employees and facilities in Everett, Washington and Hermosillo, Mexico; owner and CEO George Hamilton is named in the announcement.

Gainline Capital Partners, a Stamford-based private equity firm, announced an investment in Core Health & Fitness, a vertically integrated global manufacturer of commercial fitness equipment. Financial terms were not disclosed; Core's founder and CEO Michael Bruno and the senior management team will remain in place and the investment is intended to support growth and further vertical integration.

Sea Lion Corporation, an Alaska Native Village Corporation based in Hooper Bay, acquired Proto Technologies, a Liberty Lake, Washington-based prototyping and low-volume manufacturing firm that provides machining, 3D printing and urethane casting services. The deal was announced by ACT Capital Advisors, which represented Proto Technologies in the sale.

U-C Coatings, a portfolio company of High Road Capital Partners, acquired the assets of Eco Chemical, Inc., a Seattle-based maker of waterborne wood stains and industrial coatings; the deal closed on September 9, 2019. The acquisition expands U-C Coatings' product offerings into the pressure-treated lumber channel, deepens its presence on the U.S. West Coast, and was financed with support from Madison Capital; Eco Chemical founders also reinvested alongside High Road.

Lometa Capital Partners has acquired Monaco Enterprises, Inc. in a recapitalization transaction and partnered with management to support growth of the company's integrated emergency management systems business. American Investment Company provided debt financing to support the recapitalization; Lometa intends to fund geographic expansion, invest in talent, and accelerate product development and add-on acquisitions.

OSW Equipment & Repair LLC of Snohomish, Washington has acquired Northend Truck Equipment Inc, a Marysville, Washington-based custom manufacturer and upfitter of dump trucks, service trucks, snow plows and cranes. ACT Capital Advisors served as exclusive sell-side advisor to Northend, enabling founder Greg Stewart to transition ownership while OSW expands its manufacturing and upfitting capabilities and presence in related end-user markets.

Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL) has acquired MicroConnex Corporation, a Snoqualmie, Washington-based manufacturer of high-density interconnect solutions, and will integrate the business into its Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT) operating segment. Cleary Gull acted as exclusive financial advisor to MicroConnex. The acquisition expands Carlisle's advanced manufacturing capabilities—including flexible printed circuits and laser micromachined components—to better serve medical device, sensor, and test & measurement OEM markets.

Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool has acquired Tanner Racing Products, Inc.; Capstone Strategic served as M&A advisor to Mittler Brothers on the transaction. Tanner Racing Products, a manufacturer and distributor of motorsports products formerly of Auburn, Washington, will continue under founder Kelly Tanner and will be headquartered in Foristell while maintaining facilities in Auburn.

Detroit-based Peninsula Capital Partners (via Peninsula Fund VI LP) acquired a majority interest in Spokane Valley precision parts manufacturer American Alloy from its founder (who remains CEO). At the same time Peninsula sold its interest in Seattle-based hydro-excavation provider Pro‑Vac to RLJ Equity Partners; terms of both transactions were not disclosed.

Machinists Inc. acquired all assets of The Gear Works, a Seattle-based precision gear manufacturer and gearbox repair specialist. The acquisition expands Machinists Inc.'s capabilities in major gearbox repair and precision gear machining and doubles its manufacturing space to support larger and more diverse projects.

OneAccord Capital, via its Solomons Fund, acquired FarWest Fabricators, a metal parts manufacturer headquartered in Moxee, Washington. The deal transfers ownership from the founding Carter family to OneAccord’s fund while retaining Jeff Carter as a shareholder, advisor and board member; OneAccord plans to provide operational resources to drive long-term growth.