Private Equity-Backed Acquisitions in Ohio

ONCAP, the mid-market private equity platform of Onex Corporation, has acquired a majority stake in Komar Industries, a Groveport, Ohio-based designer and manufacturer of industrial waste and recycling processing systems. The Koenig family remains partnered with ONCAP as Komar looks to expand its product and service offerings and continue its growth.

The Vasco Group, a sports-surfacing platform majority owned by Monogram Capital Partners with support from Halmos Capital Partners, has acquired Schubert Tennis, a Cincinnati-based provider of asphalt and clay tennis, pickleball, and multi-sport court construction, resurfacing, and maintenance. The add-on expands Vasco's clay-court capabilities and Midwest footprint while adding more predictable recurring maintenance revenue and retaining Schubert's owner-operators in place.

Arax Investment Partners has acquired GFP Private Wealth, a Cleveland, Ohio-based registered investment adviser with $1.5 billion in assets under management. GFP will join Arax Advisory Partners, expanding Arax's Midwest presence and pairing GFP's high-net-worth advisory capabilities with Arax's platform infrastructure to support the firm's next phase of growth.

4x4 Capital has acquired Bob Evans Restaurants, LLC from Golden Gate Capital in a transaction intended to drive long-term growth and operational enhancements for the family-style restaurant chain. Bob Evans operates roughly 400+ locations across 18 states with more than 15,000 employees; CEO Mickey Mills will remain in place while 4x4's Gustavo Assumpção will serve as Executive Board Chair.

Ventus Industrial Partners, in partnership with GenNx360 Capital Partners and Admiralty Partners, formed a new platform, Aeron Defense, and acquired General Tool Company and Magna Machine to create a consolidated defense manufacturing group. The Kramer family became minority shareholders in Aeron as the two Ohio-based machining and assembly businesses are unified to expand capacity and capabilities for major U.S. defense primes.

TPI Efficiency, a ScaleCo Capital portfolio company, has acquired Community Energy Advisors (CEA) and sister company Viridi in Medina, Ohio as the third and fourth add-on acquisitions for the platform. ScaleCo completed the transaction in partnership with Agility Equity Partners and Tecum Capital to expand TPI's energy procurement, advisory and efficiency capabilities and to broaden its Chamber-driven channel reach across the Midwest.

Frontline Road Safety, the largest provider of pavement marking services in the United States, has acquired American Roadway Logistics (ARL) from Monroe Street Partners. ARL, a Norton, Ohio-based provider of pavement marking and traffic maintenance services, will continue operating with its existing team while benefiting from Frontline's scale, resources and geographic reach. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Polycorp, a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners, has acquired Iron Horse Engineering Company, a pioneer in rail boot and embedded track technologies. The deal expands Polycorp’s rail product portfolio and engineering capabilities to deliver more integrated solutions across light- and heavy-rail applications worldwide.

Plasticade, a portfolio company of Radial Equity Partners, has acquired Mr. Chain, a longtime manufacturer of crowd-control, safety and barrier solutions. The add-on expands Plasticade's product portfolio in the traffic safety and signage market, enabling broader offerings for construction, municipal and event safety customers.

Sila Services has acquired NEOH, an Ohio-based home services platform that comprises five operating brands (Simpson Heating & Air; Bonsky Heating & Cooling; Best Heating & Air Solutions; Ultra Clean Duct Cleaning; Coblentz Plumbing Solutions) and Trade Masters Academy. The add-on expands Sila’s Midwest/Ohio footprint and builds out its multi-trade capabilities across HVAC, plumbing and indoor air-quality services; financial terms were not disclosed.

TruArc Partners, a middle‑market private equity firm, has acquired Schill Grounds Management from Argonne Capital Group. Cleveland‑based Schill is a commercial landscaping provider with more than 30 branches across the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic; TruArc plans to accelerate organic growth, pursue add‑on acquisitions and expand the company's geographic footprint while founder Jerry Schill remains CEO.

An affiliate of Gemspring Capital Management has acquired TRG, a Cleveland-area provider of enterprise mobility lifecycle management and integrated cybersecurity solutions. TRG founder and CEO Sean Kennedy, the Kennedy family, and the existing management team retain a significant ownership stake; Gemspring said it will provide capital and operational resources to support continued growth and strategic acquisitions.

An affiliate of Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, alongside Cameron Ashley Building Products, has acquired Therm-All from Incline Equity Partners. Therm-All, a Westlake, Ohio–based fabricator and distributor of metal building insulation with 13 locations nationwide and more than 2,000 customers, will be operated under Pacific Avenue and Cameron Ashley to strengthen customer relationships and pursue growth initiatives across core and adjacent end markets.

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA has completed the acquisition of Greer Steel Company, a Dover, Ohio-based cold rolled strip steel specialist, from Greer Industries, Inc. The purchase expands Mutares' Engineering & Technology segment and North American footprint, positioning Greer Steel as a growth platform to serve automotive and industrial customers through operational improvements and targeted investments.

BELAY, a U.S.-based virtual staffing and outsourced services provider, has acquired Fully Accountable, a Fairlawn, Ohio outsourced accounting firm that serves eCommerce and digitally native brands. The deal expands BELAY's financial solutions capabilities (including fractional CFO and ecommerce accounting) and is supported by BELAY's private equity backer, Tenex Capital Management.

Safe Monitoring Group (a portfolio company of Alder) has acquired Gastronics, Inc., a US-based pioneer in wireless gas detection systems. The deal adds the first North America–based company to SMG's portfolio, expanding its gas detection capabilities, regulatory certifications and presence across industrial, energy and refrigeration markets.

Duravant, LLC has completed the acquisition of the Warehouse Automation business from Matthews International Corporation. Matthews received $232.1 million in total consideration for the business (cash plus assumption of liabilities); the business generated $72 million in sales in fiscal 2025 and Matthews said proceeds will be used to reduce outstanding debt.

Exscape Group, a Cleveland-based landscape services platform backed by BHMS Investments, announced add-on acquisitions of three Columbus-area companies — WinnScapes, Pony Lawncare and Landscaping, and Shearer Patio & Landscape Services / Polaris Pools — to expand into the Columbus, Ohio market. Each founding owner will join Exscape Group as operating leaders, preserving continuity of teams and client relationships as part of the platform expansion.

Midas International, LLC has acquired Max Auto Supply Company, a long-standing Midas franchisee that operates 111 service centers across six U.S. states. Max Auto, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio with over 650 employees, will continue operating as a standalone business under the Midas/Mavis platform to strengthen the group's retail service footprint.

A&M Capital Partners, the private equity arm of Alvarez & Marsal Capital, has acquired Asurint, a provider of technology-enabled background screening solutions. Guidepost Growth Equity, which first invested in Asurint in 2017, sold all of its shares as part of the transaction; A&M plans to invest in the company’s technology and expand its service capabilities and M&A activity to drive growth.

Earned, a PE-backed wealth management platform focused on healthcare professionals, has acquired OJM Group, a Cincinnati-based registered investment adviser serving physicians and high-net-worth clients. The deal adds nearly $1 billion in assets under management and brings OJM's ~12-person team onto Earned's platform, further expanding Earned's integrated services for medical professionals.

Arcline Investment Management, a growth-oriented private equity firm, has acquired Altronic, LLC from the HOERBIGER Group. Altronic, a Girard, Ohio-based maker of advanced ignition, control and instrumentation systems for critical infrastructure and OEMs, will be positioned to pursue growth with Arcline's capital and portfolio synergies.

The Riverside Company has invested in 1-Tom Plumber, a fast-growing franchisor of emergency plumbing and drain cleaning services, as the sixth add-on to its EverSmith Brands platform. 1-Tom Plumber operates through 37 franchisees across 57 territories in 22 states; Riverside and EverSmith plan to accelerate franchise development, deepen commercial penetration and drive cross-sell opportunities across the platform.

Banyan Software has acquired Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc., a provider of cloud-native software (Traverse) and services for state and county Health & Human Services agencies. The acquisition expands Banyan's public sector capabilities and will support further investments in Traverse, automation, and AI tools for frontline caseworkers.

Funds managed by Leonard Green & Partners have acquired Jones Lake Management from Fort Point Capital in a sponsor-to-sponsor recapitalization. Fort Point will remain a minority investor; Jones Lake Management — headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio — provides pond and lake management services across 26 states and will continue its growth under the new majority sponsor.

Wealth Enhancement, a national independent wealth management firm, has acquired Cincinnati-based hybrid RIA L.M. Kohn & Company, which oversees more than $2.2 billion in client assets and employs 23 people. The deal closed on December 6, 2025 and increases Wealth Enhancement's total client assets to over $131 billion, while expanding its footprint across the Midwest and South.

Unity Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm, has formed a new Midwestern landscaping platform by completing investments in Yardmaster (Columbus, Ohio), Big Lakes Lawncare (Detroit, Michigan) and Kunco Landscape (Erie, Pennsylvania). The three businesses will be fully integrated and operate under the Yardmaster brand to serve commercial, multi-family/HOA, office and industrial clients across the Midwest.

Inframark has acquired Dmytryka Jacobs Engineers (DJE), a Toledo-based firm that designs and implements instrumentation, control, and automation systems for municipal water and wastewater clients. The purchase expands Inframark’s Automation & Intelligence capabilities and Midwest presence; DJE’s leadership and staff will remain with the business.

WILsquare Capital’s portfolio company, Automotive Color & Supply (ACS), has completed the acquisition of Smetzer Paint & Supply, a regional distributor of automotive and industrial paints based in northern Ohio. The add-on expands ACS’s Midwest footprint and service network as part of WILsquare’s strategy to build a scalable distribution platform in the automotive and industrial coatings market; terms were not disclosed.

Ancor Capital Partners, a Southlake, Texas-based private investment firm, has made a growth investment in Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc. (VST), a Springboro, Ohio designer and manufacturer of vapor recovery and fuel-dispensing solutions. Glenn Walker will remain VST's majority owner and CEO, and Ancor said the capital will be used to accelerate growth and expand the company's reach into new markets.

Boulden Holdings, LLC, a portfolio company of Edgewater Growth Capital Partners V, L.P., has acquired Ace Precision Industries, Inc., a family-owned precision machining business based in Akron, Ohio. The acquisition adds precision machining and hydrodynamic bearing capabilities to Boulden's wear-components platform, increasing capacity and creating cross-selling opportunities across aerospace, medical and transit end markets.

Ignite Visibility has acquired EverConnect, the marketing technology and lead-generation platform of EverCommerce, expanding Ignite's national-to-local digital marketing capabilities for multi-location and franchise service brands. The acquisition — Ignite's fourth since partnering with Mountaingate Capital — brings EverConnect's SEO, website development, directory and performance lead-generation capabilities into Ignite's platform; financing and advisory support were provided by Capital Southwest Corporation, Main Street Capital, Canaccord Genuity and others.

Saothair Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of GatesAir, Inc. through a newly-formed affiliate. GatesAir, a 100+ year designer, manufacturer and installer of over-the-air broadcast and public safety communications equipment headquartered in Mason, Ohio, will continue to be led by President and CEO Barbara Spicek as Saothair invests to scale the business, broaden geographic presence, and expand its turnkey product and services portfolio.

Environ Energy, a PE-backed national energy management platform, has acquired Scioto Energy, an independent energy brokerage and advisory firm based in Columbus, Ohio. The add-on expands Environ’s presence in the PJM market and Midwest, enhances its procurement and advisory capabilities, and keeps Scioto’s leadership and client-focused team in place under the Environ platform.

Epiq has acquired First Watch Data Breach Solutions, LLC from First Watch Technologies to expand its cyber incident response and notification capabilities. The acquisition brings roughly 100 First Watch Data Breach Solutions employees into Epiq and broadens Epiq’s breach response, credit monitoring, call center, and notification services across North America, UK/EMEA, Australia and APAC.

Arclin has completed the acquisition of Polymer Solutions Group (PSG), a manufacturer of proprietary polymer additives, dispersions and release agents serving the rubber, plastics and engineered wood markets. Arclin will operate PSG’s manufacturing facilities in Cleveland, Ohio and Albany, Georgia and an R&D facility in Macon, Georgia; the deal adds approximately 200 employees and expands Arclin’s product capabilities and end-market reach in construction, building products and transportation.

Program Productions has acquired Barney Monk, a Cleveland-based provider of event staffing and employer-of-record payroll services, to expand its live-event labor and payroll capabilities across North America. The acquisition broadens Program Productions' family of companies and enhances its workforce management offering (including its ProCrewz technology) to better serve venues, tours, trade shows and corporate events.

Riverspan Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on industrials, has acquired United Titanium, a Wooster, Ohio-based manufacturer of specialty titanium, zirconium and other-alloy fasteners, fittings and precision components. Financial terms were not disclosed; United Titanium will remain headquartered in Wooster under its existing leadership while Riverspan provides capital and operational support to drive product innovation, manufacturing improvements and global customer growth.

Percheron Capital has launched Solidaire HVAC & Energy Solutions, a national commercial HVAC and energy services platform, through the foundational acquisition of Enervise, a Cincinnati-based commercial HVAC services company. The platform, led by Katrina Liddell and backed by Percheron, will invest in people, technology and infrastructure to accelerate growth and expand Solidaire's national footprint.

Lone View Capital, a Los Angeles-based growth private equity firm, has acquired a controlling stake in Jumpmind, a Columbus-based provider of cloud-native point-of-service and enterprise data synchronization software. The investment will support Jumpmind’s product roadmap, global expansion, and continued growth while CEO Joe Corbin remains in place.

Waverly Advisors, a Birmingham-based RIA backed by Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC's Aspire platform, has acquired Brass Tax Wealth Management, a Blue Ash, Ohio wealth management firm. The deal adds approximately $465 million in AUM to Waverly and expands the firm's presence in Ohio; financial terms were not disclosed and the entire Brass Tax team joined Waverly.

Leaf Home has acquired Erie Home in a transaction that combines two Gridiron Capital-backed direct-to-consumer residential services businesses to create the largest DTC home solutions platform in North America. Ares Management led a preferred equity investment to support the deal, Apollo-led debt financing provided the acquisition financing, and Gridiron will retain majority ownership of the combined company, which will operate across 48 U.S. states and Canada with more than 300 field offices.

Thrive, a NextGen technology outsourcing provider, has acquired VitalCORE, a managed technology partner offering managed security, technology valuations, transactional advisory, and managed IT services. The deal expands Thrive’s presence in the U.S. Midwest and broadens its cybersecurity and managed services capabilities as part of the company’s ongoing acquisition strategy.

Vance Street Capital portfolio company Keltec Technolab has acquired Swift Filters, a North American manufacturer of custom hydraulic filter and strainer elements founded in 1970. The deal combines Keltec's compressed air and gas filtration capabilities with Swift's hydraulic filtration expertise to create a broader product suite; terms were not disclosed and debt financing was provided by Apogem Capital.

Thesis Capital Partners completed a recapitalization of The Ridge Ohio, a physician-led residential and outpatient addiction treatment provider, with Prospect Capital Corporation participating as senior lender and equity co-investor. The transaction will support growth initiatives including expansion of the physician-led clinical team, enhancement of holistic services, and continued investment in The Ridge’s 51-acre campus.

Dental365, a Dental Clinical Organization (DCO) headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York, has entered the Ohio market by acquiring six dental practices located in Toledo, Maumee, Oregon, Alliance, Akron and Louisville, and is opening a de novo endodontic practice in Toledo. The announcement highlights that Dr. Jon Frankel (Frankel Dentistry) and his team of 26 dentists and more than 200 employees are joining Dental365 as part of the expansion.

Cryptic Vector, a portfolio company of Enlightenment Capital, has acquired Caesar Creek Software, a Dayton-based offensive cyber R&D firm that provides vulnerability analysis, exploit development, and reverse engineering services to the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. The add-on strengthens Cryptic Vector's offensive cyber and electronic warfare capabilities and expands its engineering talent pool supporting national security customers.

Seroda Ventures made a strategic majority investment in Evonence and will merge the company with its Seroda‑incubated Google Cloud integrator, Cloudnyx.ai. The combined business will operate under the Cloudnyx.ai brand with Vijay Shah as CEO and will offer end‑to‑end Google Cloud services—scaling capabilities in BigQuery, Vertex AI, Workspace/Gemini, Apigee and managed services.

Seroda Ventures has made a strategic majority investment in Google Cloud consulting firm Evonence and merged it with Seroda-incubated integrator Cloudnyx.ai. The combined business will operate under the Cloudnyx.ai brand, with Evonence founder Vijay Shah named CEO, to expand capabilities across Google Cloud, Vertex AI, Workspace, Apigee and managed cloud services.

GALLS has acquired Phoenix Safety Outfitters, a regional provider of fire PPE, uniforms, and related services based in Springfield, Ohio. The acquisition expands GALLS' footprint and service capabilities for fire departments and first responders, bringing Phoenix's distribution center, SCBA service center and mobile service fleet into GALLS' platform.