Acquisitions in Georgia in 2024

Construction Resources Company, LLC has acquired Atlanta-based Bell Cabinetry, LLC, a designer, manufacturer, and installer of custom and semi-custom cabinets for builders, designers and remodelers. Bell Cabinetry's leadership team will remain post-closing as Construction Resources expands its multi-product offering and showroom-based distribution in the Southeast.

Rent-A-Container, a Kinderhook Industries portfolio company, acquired the rental assets of Containerize Corp. The asset purchase increases RAC's available fleet in the Southeast to bolster its Douglas, Georgia branch and better serve demand across the Florida/Georgia market as part of RAC's ongoing expansion.

Buildforce has acquired Ladder, a Y Combinator-backed construction labor marketplace led by Alex Stewart. The deal expands Buildforce's footprint into the U.S. Southeast — adding Ladder's 200+ customers across six states and a network of more than 10,000 pre-screened electricians — with Ladder's founder remaining in a leadership role to grow the business in the region.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Vance Street Capital has partnered with Fumex Air Filtration Systems, a Kennesaw, Georgia-based designer and manufacturer of industrial fume extraction and air filtration solutions. Fumex CEO Kevin East is reinvesting and will remain in place; Vance Street plans to support product development, organic growth and pursue strategic M&A opportunities to expand the business.

King Risk Partners, a top-100 U.S. insurance broker based in Gainesville, Florida, has acquired Talbert Insurance Services, an independent insurance agency in Duluth, Georgia. The deal expands King Risk Partners’ footprint in Georgia and strengthens its capacity to serve personal and commercial insurance clients across the Southeast.

Banyan Software has acquired DRT Performance Tix, a niche ticketing platform founded in 2012 that serves dance studios, schools, and performing arts organizations. DRT, which serves over 2,000 customers across North America and is led by founder and CEO Joshua Olson, will join Banyan’s portfolio of vertical-focused enterprise software businesses to accelerate growth and preserve the company’s founder-led legacy.

Ideal Integrations, a Pittsburgh-based managed services and cybersecurity provider, has completed the acquisition of 1Path, an Atlanta-based managed IT services provider, creating a nationwide managed services platform. The deal, completed with involvement from Frontenac (which has supported Ideal through a prior recapitalization), expands Ideal's cybersecurity capabilities and broadens the combined organization's managed services and cloud offerings.

McClatchy has completed a merger with accelerate360 to form the McClatchy Media Company (MMC), combining McClatchy's local journalism with a360media's lifestyle content and accelerate360's retail distribution and logistics network. Chatham Asset Management is the majority owner of the new company, which will operate a unified digital publishing and retail distribution platform reaching roughly 100 million unique visitors and access to over 56,000 retail locations.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher) acquired Sheila J. Butler & Company (SJB), an employee benefits brokerage based in Carrollton, Georgia. The SJB team will remain in place and integrate under Gallagher’s Southeast region employee benefits consulting operations to bolster Gallagher’s benefits consulting capabilities and footprint in Georgia; terms were not disclosed.

Addus HomeCare completed the acquisition of Gentiva's personal care operations, adding annualized revenues of approximately $280 million and expanding Addus' service footprint across seven states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas). The deal brings operations that serve over 16,000 consumers per day into Addus, establishing Addus as the largest personal care provider in Texas and expanding its scale in existing and new markets.

Vitu has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dealertrack’s registration and titling businesses (RTS, RegUSA, Accelerated Title and CMS) from Cox Automotive. The transaction, backed by Accel-KKR, is a divestiture by Cox Automotive intended to consolidate titling and registration capabilities under Vitu; terms were not disclosed and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions.

PSG Equity purchased Elron Ventures' secondary stake in IronScales at an approximate company valuation of $340 million. The secondary sale generated estimated proceeds of $26 million for Elron and reflects a roughly 23x return on Elron's original investment; IronScales is an AI-powered email security provider.

Atlanta-based private equity firm Eagle Merchant Partners has acquired a stake in AYA Medical Spa, a nine-unit medical spa headquartered in Atlanta. The investment is a platform/growth capital transaction intended to accelerate AYA's geographic expansion and support strategic acquisitions to scale the business.

Lone View Capital, a growth-oriented private equity firm, has made a strategic investment acquiring a majority ownership stake in CargoSprint. The deal installs longtime board advisor Caro Krissman as CEO while founder Joshua Wolf moves to a board advisory role; Lone View said it will support increased R&D and the company’s next phase of growth.

Arketi Group, an Atlanta-based digital marketing and public relations agency serving B2B technology companies, has secured a majority private equity investment from Go Capital and Station Partners. The investment positions Arketi as the platform leader for a new network of B2B tech marketing and communications firms to accelerate growth, expand services and enter new verticals; TobinLeff served as M&A advisor on the transaction.

Olympic Steel, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZEUS) has acquired Metal Works, a manufacturer of metal canopy components, roll-formed products and solar racking, in an all-cash transaction. Metal Works will continue to operate from its two Oakwood, Georgia facilities and will be reported within Olympic Steel's Carbon Flat Rolled business segment as the acquisition expands Olympic Steel's manufactured metal product capabilities and footprint.

Bestop, a Kinderhook-backed automotive accessories manufacturer, acquired myTop LLC, the developer of the industry’s first power‑actuated soft tops, and will integrate the technology into a new eTop product line for Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. The deal—Bestop’s tenth add‑on—is intended to expand Bestop’s product capabilities in the aftermarket and broaden its market reach.

Elevate Patient Financial Solutions (ElevatePFS), a PE-backed provider of technology-enabled revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions, has acquired NYX Health Eligibility Services, a Medicaid eligibility verification and enrollment specialist based in Alpharetta, Georgia. The add-on expands ElevatePFS' front-end eligibility and enrollment capabilities to strengthen its end-to-end RCM offering for hospitals and health systems.

Superior Rigging & Erecting Co., an Atlanta-based crane, rigging and steel-erection firm, has acquired Heaton Erecting, Inc., a long-established Atlanta-area crane rental, rigging and transportation company. Heaton will continue to operate under its name with Patrick Lewis (Superior's CEO) leading the combined business, which aims to expand service capabilities (steel fabrication, millwrighting, storage) for customers in the Atlanta market.

Minds + Assembly has joined forces with BOLDSCIENCE, adding the medical communications agency to its Amulet Capital Partners–backed healthcare communications platform. The deal brings BOLDSCIENCE’s ~200-person scientific communications team into the Minds + Assembly platform to broaden capabilities across medical affairs, publications, and scientific communications and accelerate the platform’s end-to-end commercialization offering.

Sonida Senior Living (NYSE: SNDA) completed the previously announced acquisition of two senior living communities in the Atlanta, Georgia market for $29.0 million. The purchase adds 178 units (approximately 60% assisted living and 40% memory care) across Lawrenceville and Peachtree Corners and furthers Sonida's regional densification and accretive growth strategy.

Nautic Partners will acquire Davidson Hospitality Group from an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners, in partnership with Davidson's management team. Davidson, a 50-year-old third-party hospitality management company with roughly $2 billion in revenue under management and 86 hotels, will be positioned for further growth under Nautic's ownership.

Searchlight Capital Partners has acquired EIS, a value-added distributor of process materials and production supplies, from Audax Private Equity; terms were not disclosed. Audax had owned EIS since 2019 and grew the business via a buy-and-build strategy (six add-ons and expanded fabrication/distribution footprint) to position the company for continued growth in electrification, renewable energy and aftermarket end markets.

ARCOS LLC, a Columbus-based provider of workforce management solutions for utilities, has acquired Clearion, a SaaS provider of vegetation management and asset inspection software. The acquisition expands ARCOS's capabilities in vegetation management, GIS-integrated field mobility, and asset maintenance to support utilities' reliability, grid modernization, and risk-mitigation efforts.

Jamestown completed the acquisition of the Atlanta-based subsidiary of North American Properties, acquiring the subsidiary's real estate operating platform and making an investment in the platform's portfolio of properties. North American Properties will remain an investor in the portfolio and continue to operate other affiliates while Jamestown expands its presence in Atlanta and Sun Belt markets.

North Course Brands, a Tustin, California-based consumer packaged goods company, acquired the RxSugar brand and related intellectual property from Nutrishus Brands Inc.; the deal closed on October 29, 2024. The acquisition brings the allulose-based RxSugar product portfolio into North Course’s health-focused brand portfolio to expand its omnichannel presence in the better-for-you sweetener and functional food market; financial terms were not disclosed.

Portabull Cold Storage has acquired Portable Refrigeration Storage, Inc. (PRS) to expand its electric-powered temporary on-site cold storage rental fleet and strengthen its presence in the Southeast United States. PRS’s customers and team will join Portabull as the company integrates PRS’s fleet to broaden service coverage and meet rising demand for sustainable, electric temporary cold storage solutions.

Georgia Oak Partners, an Atlanta-based investment firm, has made an investment in T Management, a dental support organization (DSO) serving the Atlanta / Southeastern U.S. market. The capital partnership is intended to help T Management scale its practice-management and non-clinical support services for partner dental practices across the Southeast.

Cognosos has acquired Cox Prosight to combine its AI-native LocationAI with Cox Prosight's real-time location services (RTLS) platform for hospitals. The deal unites complementary technologies to deliver a cloud-based, multi-hardware RTLS solution aimed at improving hospital operations, asset tracking and staff safety.

Michael Peterman, owner of P&S Solutions, acquired majority stock in The Oryza Group, LLC effective April 22, 2024. The Oryza Group, a Douglasville, Georgia-based federal services firm providing IT, logistics and management services, will remain a separate entity with Joe Lorfano staying on as Executive Vice President and minority owner.

Foundation Source has acquired Vennfi, a financial-technology firm that powers the Charityvest donor-advised fund (DAF) platform. The acquisition adds turnkey DAF and workplace-giving capabilities to Foundation Source's suite of philanthropic software and services and will see Vennfi's management join Foundation Source to accelerate product deployment across wealth management and employer channels.

Purgo Holdings, a portfolio company of Wincove Private Holdings, has acquired VSI, LLC and VSI Waterworks, an Alpharetta, Georgia-based manufacturer of manual and automated valves serving commercial, industrial, and municipal markets. The deal expands PURGO's water portfolio and product offering into flow control components and is the platform's fifth acquisition since formation.

Falfurrias Management Partners (via its Falfurrias Growth Partners I strategy) has made a growth investment in Neighborly Software, a cloud-based SaaS platform that manages enrollment, administration, and reporting for government-funded programs. The capital will be used to accelerate product development, geographic expansion, and sales & marketing while founders Jason Rusnak and Chris Behm remain substantial owners and continue to lead the business.

NewCastle Partners has acquired SPG International, an Atlanta-based manufacturer of commercial-grade material handling and storage products, with subordinated debt and equity financing provided by Farragut Capital Partners and participation from Route 2 Capital Partners. Farragut said the investment will support growth through product-line expansion, new customer wins across related markets, and M&A initiatives.

Cherry Bekaert has acquired ArcherPoint, a Microsoft Certified Solutions partner that provides ERP implementation, integration, development and support services. The deal strengthens Cherry Bekaert's ERP and Microsoft Dynamics capabilities, adds approximately $32 million of revenue, and expands the firm's footprint into Canada.

Cherry Bekaert has acquired Suite Engine, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central solutions developer, to expand its technology and consulting capabilities. Suite Engine, headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia, brings Microsoft-based ERP, ecommerce, payments and industry-specific solutions to Cherry Bekaert's advisory and technology services.

Loop, an SCI company based in Augusta, Georgia, has acquired Moorecroft Systems, an Alpharetta-based IT staffing and consulting firm. The deal closed Oct. 11; terms were not disclosed and the acquisition was driven by Moorecroft's founder retirement and the strategic fit to expand Loop's IT staffing and ERP consulting capabilities.

GCG Advisory Partners LLC has acquired Infinity Financial Partners LLC, a financial advisory firm managing over $230 million in client assets, adding a key office in the Atlanta area. The deal expands GCG AP’s total managed assets to more than $2.5 billion and strengthens its wealth-management capabilities, particularly in tax advice and succession planning.

IQVentures Holdings, LLC has completed a take-private acquisition of The Aaron's Company, Inc. for approximately $504 million, paying $10.10 per share in cash. The transaction is supported by a $120 million senior secured revolving credit facility arranged by Second Avenue Capital Partners and Pathlight Capital to help finance the acquisition and position Aaron's to accelerate its omni-channel strategy and operational transformation.

DigitalBGA, a technology-driven life insurance brokerage based in Austin, Texas, has acquired NoExam.com, a direct-to-consumer life insurance platform that offers policies without medical exams. The acquisition strengthens DigitalBGA's consumer-facing capabilities and expands its product offerings in no-exam life insurance distribution; financial terms were not disclosed.

WHTWRKS Inc. has acquired Authentique Marketing Agency to deepen its multicultural marketing and creative capabilities, particularly in campaigns targeting Black and LGBTQ audiences. Roy Broderick Jr., founder of Authentique, will join WHTWRKS as Chief Growth Officer to help integrate culture-driven brand strategy and expand WHTWRKS's presence in Atlanta.

Veritas Capital has completed the acquisition of the Digital Banking business of NCR Voyix for $2.45 billion plus up to $100 million in contingent consideration and rebranded the business as Candescent. The standalone company will continue serving more than 1,300 financial institutions and over 29 million registered users and will focus on expanding its digital banking products and customer experience.

Piab Group, the lifting and industrial automation business owned by Patricia Industries, has acquired US-based Alum-a-Lift, a designer and manufacturer of ergonomic lifting solutions. The acquisition was funded by Patricia Industries (Investor AB) to support Piab's strategic add-on program and expand its lifting automation capabilities and presence in North America.

TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of TPG, is making a strategic minority growth investment in Atlanta-based wealth management firm Homrich Berg. Terms were not disclosed; Homrich Berg’s management will remain the largest shareholder and existing investor New Mountain Capital will remain invested. The capital will be used to expand capabilities, attract talent, and enhance client services, with the transaction expected to close in Q4 2024.

Waste Eliminator, a Metro-Atlanta waste management platform backed by private equity firm Allied Industrial Partners, has acquired Unlimited Disposal Dumpster Service, a commercial roll-off and front-load dumpster provider focused on Northeast Georgia. The add-on expands Waste Eliminator's commercial services footprint across Georgia and into parts of South Carolina; financial terms were not disclosed and Unlimited Disposal's management will remain in place.

Mammoth Holdings LLC acquired Gloss Car Wash, a developer and operator of express conveyor car washes in Lilburn, Georgia, expanding Mammoth’s Atlanta-area footprint to 17 sites. The transaction was advised by Matthews Real Estate Investment Services and was completed with Gloss’s former owner, Viral Parekh, exiting the business.

A-G Specialty Insurance has acquired eSportsInsurance, a provider of insurance products for amateur youth and adult sports. The deal brings eSportsInsurance’s specialized program business, click-and-bind portal and general liability offerings into A-G Specialty’s portfolio to expand its sports-focused insurance and risk-management capabilities.

Culpeper Insurance Partners, LLC made a significant investment in and merged with Afore Insurance Services, creating a larger national independent insurance brokerage. Michael A. Garguilo of Culpeper will become CEO of the combined company, which will operate as Afore Insurance Services with more than 20 offices across 10 states, over $350 million in annual premiums placed, and more than 140 employees; Crestline Investors provided a large credit facility to support growth.

EP Wealth Advisors, a PE-backed fee-only registered investment adviser, has partnered with Atlanta-based CornerCap Investment Counsel, adding nearly $1.1 billion in AUM and establishing a Southeast hub for EP Wealth. CornerCap's leadership and research capabilities (including its Fundametrics system) will join EP Wealth's national platform, with several CornerCap team members transitioning into regional roles at EP Wealth.

Shamrock Capital has acquired Nth Degree, a Duluth, Georgia–based provider of exhibit management and experiential event services, in a transaction that resulted in Gladstone Investment Corporation and Capitala Group selling their remaining equity positions. The investment will be used to scale Nth Degree's services platform across live events, trade shows and experiential marketing while the company continues to operate under its existing leadership.