Acquisitions in Arkansas in 2020

Skylark Private Equity Partners completed an investment in Claridge Products, a U.S.-based manufacturer of writing surfaces and related solutions for K-12 schools and commercial customers. The Claridge business — long-owned by the Clavey family — will be led operationally by Marcus McNew in partnership with Skylark to accelerate product and manufacturing growth.

Franchise Group, Inc. has completed its acquisition of FFO Home, a regional furniture and mattress retailer. More than 30 FFO Home stores across the Midwest will be rebranded as American Freight Furniture, Mattress, Appliance, with customers redirected to the American Freight website and the addition of appliances, financing options and same-day delivery for in-stock items.

Wynnchurch Capital has acquired Drew Foam Companies, a Monticello, Arkansas–based manufacturer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products, from Branford Castle Partners. Drew operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the Southeast U.S. serving packaging, building products and OEM end markets; terms were not disclosed and Wynnchurch intends to support the company's organic and inorganic growth.

Minneapolis-based retail agency The Stable has acquired Bentonville, Arkansas digital agency RichContext to augment its social commerce and e-commerce capabilities. The deal adds RichContext's Hyphen shopping platform and social selling technology, and the combined company will operate under The Stable brand with more than 150 employees across multiple offices.

Chart Industries (NASDAQ: GTLS) completed the acquisition of BlueInGreen, LLC, a water cleantech company specializing in dissolved-gas solutions for water treatment, for $20 million in cash plus a potential earn-out. The purchase expands Chart’s water-treatment and service capabilities by combining Chart’s cryogenic and gas delivery equipment with BlueInGreen’s gas-dissolution technology and TaaS/service offerings to serve municipal and industrial end markets.

360insights, a global channel incentives management provider, has acquired Perks WW (Perks Worldwide), an Arkansas-based channel incentives and loyalty software provider. The acquisition expands 360insights' SaaS capabilities, user base and North American footprint and will integrate Perks WW's UI/UX-focused tools and data insights into 360insights' Channel Success Platform.

PS Holdco, LLC (PS Logistics) has completed the acquisition of substantially all assets of Diamond State Trucking, Inc., RDA Tractor, LLC and RDA Trailer, LLC. The deal expands PS Logistics' flatbed operations in the Southeast with an additional terminal in Malvern, Arkansas; financial terms were not disclosed.

Atlantic Street Capital has made a growth-oriented investment in Zips Car Wash, partnering with founder Brett Overman while he remains the majority owner. The capital will support Zips' expansion of its express tunnel car wash platform (185 locations, 17 states) and efforts to grow membership and reach a target of over 500 locations.

The Stable has merged with Arkansas-based retail agency Kreative Sales & Marketing and secured investment from growth equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners. The combined company will create a larger omni-channel consumer brand agency—expanding retail representation (including Walmart), eCommerce and product development capabilities—with a combined employee base of 100+ and offices in Minneapolis, Bentonville, Seattle and Austin.

Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. has acquired CTEH, a North Little Rock, Arkansas-based scientific consulting firm specializing in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The deal was financed in partnership with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management; terms were not disclosed. CTEH has more than 170 employees across multiple U.S. locations and expands Montrose's environmental response and technical capabilities.

Impact Fire, a subsidiary of AI Fire, has acquired Alarmtec Systems, a fire alarm, security and access control provider operating in the Little Rock, Arkansas area. The move expands Impact Fire's local service footprint and adds Alarmtec’s design, installation, inspection, repair and monitoring capabilities to Impact Fire/AI Fire’s platform.

TPG Growth has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Denali Water Solutions from the company’s management and The Firmament Group. The deal expands TPG Growth’s presence in specialty organic-waste recycling and environmental services, with Denali expected to pursue further organic and acquisitive growth under TPG’s ownership.

MRI Software acquired Lindsey Software to expand its public and affordable housing property management and compliance offerings. The acquisition integrates Lindsey’s cloud-based tenant, maintenance, screening and accounting solutions—used by more than 700 public housing authorities—into MRI’s residential solutions suite to broaden capabilities for housing agencies.