Acquisitions in Louisiana in 2022

Bluestem Equity Ltd. completed the acquisition of Lafayette, Louisiana-based United Vision Logistics (UVL), a land transportation and logistics provider offering heavy haul, long haul, and expedited services across the United States and Canada. UVL — which operates out of Lafayette and Houston and maintains a network of over 100 facilities and a large fleet of owner-operators and partnered carriers — will continue operating under its existing leadership as Bluestem partners to grow the business.

Hastings Equity Partners has made a Fund V platform investment in GridSource, a Baton Rouge-based utility contractor, with founder Dusty Johnson retaining significant ownership and remaining active in management. Hastings said the investment will provide resources to grow GridSource’s telecom and gas infrastructure services to capitalize on accelerating broadband/fiber deployment and upcoming federal funding for broadband.

Summit Fire & Security LLC (a subsidiary of SFP Holding, Inc./Summit Companies) completed the acquisition of C&S Safety Systems, LLC effective December 13, 2022. C&S Safety Systems — a Louisiana-based provider of fire protection, life safety services and PPE with locations in New Iberia and Baton Rouge — will continue operating from its existing locations as part of the Summit Fire & Security platform to broaden services and expand the company's customer base in Louisiana.

WhiteWater Express Car Wash has acquired Classic Auto Spa, purchasing all three Classic Auto Spa locations in the Lafayette, Broussard and Carencro markets. The acquisition expands WhiteWater's footprint in Louisiana and brings the chain to 83 washes across six states and 12 MSAs; Classic Auto Spa employees will be onboarded and the sites rebranded to WhiteWater Express.

Alpha Dhabi Holding acquired a 25% minority equity interest in Gordon Technologies in an all-cash transaction that provides partial liquidity to Gordon's legacy shareholders. The investment is intended to support Gordon's continued domestic fleet expansion and enable international growth, particularly into the Middle East.

First Onsite Property Restoration, a North American disaster recovery and restoration provider and subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, has acquired Emergency Restoration, Inc. (ERI), a New Orleans/Metairie-based mitigation and water-damage restoration specialist. The acquisition expands First Onsite’s regional capabilities and capacity to serve large commercial, municipal, healthcare and education clients across the Gulf Coast; financial terms were not disclosed.

Grammer Logistics, a PE-backed hazardous chemicals transportation and logistics provider, has acquired Logistics Management Resources, Inc. (LMR), a Baton Rouge–based third-party logistics and transportation management provider focused on chemicals and industrial gases. The acquisition, completed Oct. 24, 2022, expands Grammer's transportation management capabilities and complements its asset and non-asset service offerings as part of its PE-backed growth strategy.

The Riverside Company has acquired a majority equity stake in OutSolve, LLC, a Metairie, Louisiana-based provider of outsourced labor and employment compliance solutions. LNC Partners sold the majority interest held in its Fund I while LNC's Fund II also joined as a new investor; Riverside plans to drive growth through add-on acquisitions and expanding adjacent services such as pay equity, DE&I and ESG.

Health Management Associates (HMA) has merged with The Focus Group; The Focus Group will continue to operate as The Focus Group, an HMA Company, with founders David Kulick and Alex Rich remaining as managing directors. Terms were not disclosed. The Focus Group, founded in 2014 and based in New Orleans, provides market intelligence, strategy, business transformation, and go-to-market services for healthcare clients; HMA is a national healthcare policy and consulting firm founded in 1985.

Patriot Rail Company LLC entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Delta Southern Railroad, Inc., a short line railroad operating two line segments in Louisiana serving two Mississippi River ports. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) expands Patriot Rail’s short line network and strengthens its presence and freight options in a chemical and forest-products corridor in Louisiana; the deal remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory authorization.

Bluehenge Capital Partners provided subordinated debt to support a management-led buyout and recapitalization of Iberville Companies. First Horizon Bank provided senior debt financing; the recapitalization will keep the existing management team in place as Iberville pursues organic growth across its industrial insulation and specialty contracting business.

Bernhard Capital Partners has launched a dedicated architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) platform with an investment in Grace Hebert Curtis Architecture (GHC). Financial terms were not disclosed; GHC’s management will retain a significant stake while Bernhard will support growth and build the platform to expand capabilities and serve education, healthcare, commercial office and industrial clients.

Velocity Clinical Research, a portfolio company of GHO Capital, has acquired MedPharmics, a U.S.-based multi-site clinical research organization. The add-on expands Velocity's network by eight sites (bringing it to 40 locations), adds just over 100 employees, and improves access to diverse patient populations including African American and Native American communities.

Edlio, a K-12 technology provider based in Glendale, California, has acquired SchoolInfo (SchoolInfoApp), a Ruston, Louisiana-based creator of mobile apps for K-12 schools and districts. The deal adds SchoolInfo's branded mobile app (Edlio Access) to Edlio's product suite to expand mobile communications and consolidate digital tools for school customers.

SiteOne Landscape Supply completed the acquisition of Jim Stone Co. of Louisiana, a wholesale distributor of natural stone and hardscapes with three locations in southern Louisiana. The deal expands SiteOne's product offering and presence across the Gulf Coast and marks the company's 11th acquisition in 2022.

Air Pros USA has acquired Dream Team Heating and Air, a family-owned HVAC company serving the Baton Rouge/Denham Springs area, and will integrate its operations and sales into the Air Pros USA platform. The deal expands Air Pros USA's market presence in Louisiana and increases its service coverage in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.

Maritime Partners, through its managed funds, has agreed to acquire M/G Transport Holdings LLC from Auxo Investment Partners and its affiliates. M/G, a longtime provider of inland barge transportation on the Lower Mississippi River and West Canal to Houston, will continue to operate under its brand with existing management; terms were not disclosed.

United Energy Corporation (UNRG) acquired 100% of Integrity Terminals, LLC, expanding its midstream footprint and moving from a prior 12% minority stake to full ownership. The acquisition includes an option to purchase 686 acres in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, for a planned Gulf Coast bulk storage and import/export terminal; UNRG has engaged EXCEL Midstream Solutions for design, permitting and engineering work.

Hub International Limited acquired the assets of Bubrig Insurance Agency, Ltd. and its affiliate Blue Cedar Insurance, LLC, a Belle Chasse, Louisiana-based independent personal-lines insurance agency. The Bubrig team, led by Bill Bubrig, will join Hub Gulf South as Hub looks to expand its personal insurance capabilities and regional presence in Louisiana; terms were not disclosed.

Smalls Sliders, a fast-casual slider drive-thru concept with four open locations and a pipeline of 40+ restaurants across Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, received an equity investment from 10 Point Capital. The capital will support franchise acceleration using 10 Point Capital’s Franchise Acceleration Plan as Smalls prepares for national expansion.

Harvest Midstream completed the purchase of the remaining interest in Arrowhead Gulf Coast Holdings (AGCH), bringing AGCH under full ownership after acquiring the 37.5% stake previously held by a fund managed by BlackRock Real Assets. The transaction consolidates Harvest’s control of nearly 300 miles of crude and condensate pipelines and terminal assets serving the Louisiana refinery market, reinforcing its commitment to the Gulf Coast region.

MiddleGround Capital, an operationally-focused private equity firm, has acquired PVI Holdings, a market-leading flow control distributor that includes Setpoint Integrated Solutions, W&O Supply and A-T Controls. MiddleGround said it will partner with PVI management to invest in organic and inorganic growth, operational improvements and to build a flow-control distribution platform serving marine, chemical and downstream energy end markets.

Arcline Investment Management formed Signia Aerospace and announced that Signia has acquired International Mezzo Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance microtube heat exchangers. The acquisition bolsters Signia’s Thermal Management capability and expands its product and service offerings to aerospace, defense, space and other end markets.

Fortune International, LLC acquired New Orleans Fish House, LLC, a leading wholesale seafood supplier to restaurants and hotels across New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The deal will expand Fortune's Gulf Coast footprint, enable cross-selling of products, and improve logistics and route efficiencies; the sellers Bill Borges, Brett Borges and Cliff Hall will remain with the business.

Meriplex, a Houston-based managed cybersecurity and IT solutions provider, has completed an asset acquisition of Louisiana-based managed service provider Verma Systems. The acquisition expands Meriplex’s regional presence in Louisiana, adds local talent and capabilities, and enables Meriplex to offer a broader set of IT and security services to Verma Systems’ SMB client base.

RF Investment Partners closed a growth capital (minority) investment in Watch Systems (d/b/a OffenderWatch), a Mandeville, Louisiana-based provider of cloud-based sex offender registration, verification and community notification software serving law enforcement and consumers. The funding will support OffenderWatch’s product development and footprint expansion to strengthen its public-safety platform and mobile offerings.

Healthcare Performance Group, Inc. (HPG) has acquired Health Data Specialists, LLC (HDS), a healthcare IT consulting firm with expertise in Epic, Siemens and Cerner that has served more than 300 hospitals and health systems. HDS’s project management, optimization, legacy system support and managed services will be integrated into HPG to expand its EHR-focused consulting capabilities and service offerings.

Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Shaver-Robichaux Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency with offices in Thibodaux and Raceland, Louisiana. The deal brings the Shaver-Robichaux team into Hub Gulf South to expand Hub's commercial and personal insurance capabilities; terms were not disclosed.

Urology America, a urology-focused management services organization based in Austin, Texas, has entered a partnership to add Southern Surgical & Medical Specialists (Southern Urology), a Lafayette, Louisiana multi-location urology practice, to its platform. Southern Urology brings 15 urologists, seven advanced practice providers and a radiation oncologist across seven clinic locations and a cancer center; Urology America will provide operational and clinical support to drive growth and continuity of care.

VLS Environmental Solutions, a portfolio company of Aurora Capital Partners, has acquired Plaquemine Point Shipyard (PPSY), a full-service barge cleaning and repair facility located near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. PPSY will operate within VLS's Marine Services division to expand VLS's geographic coverage along the Mississippi River; the deal is an add-on and marks VLS's eighth acquisition since partnering with Aurora.

Quipt Home Medical Corp. (Quipt) acquired Access Respiratory Homecare, LLC, adding two Louisiana locations and approximately $6.5 million in annualized revenue and an expected $1.3 million of adjusted EBITDA post-integration. The deal expands Quipt’s service footprint into Louisiana (New Orleans and Lafayette), increases its active patient base and referring physician network, and brings a management team with specialized respiratory capabilities and insurance contracts.

Wealthcare Capital Management LLC, a NewSpring Holdings platform company, has acquired Eagle Financial Management Services, a Shreveport-based RIA that advises on more than $120 million in AUM. The deal expands Wealthcare’s direct-advisory channel, growing its advisor team to more than 150 advisors and increasing combined AUM to $4.75 billion; the Eagle Financial team will remain engaged and will use Wealthcare’s GDX360 goals-based planning platform.

KAG Logistics, LLC completed the acquisition of American PetroLog, LLC, a Lafayette, Louisiana-based provider of multi-modal distribution, transloading, storage and liquid-bulk logistics services for the petrochemical industry. The deal brings American PetroLog's team — including President & CEO Jeff Colonna — into KAGL and expands KAG's capabilities and capacity in liquid bulk/petrochemical logistics across North America.

WP Global Partners, a Chicago-based private investment firm, invested in GoAuto, a provider of non-standard auto insurance operating in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Nevada and Illinois. The transaction is a growth investment intended to support GoAuto’s expansion and scaling of its insurance offerings across multiple states.

Milestone Partners formed specialty auto insurance holding company Drive Assurance Holdings LLC and acquired GoAuto, LLC and its affiliated technology platform Adaptive Information Technologies, LLC (AIT). The acquisition creates a data-driven specialty personal auto insurance platform focused on low-limit policies across Louisiana and growing operations in Texas, Nevada and Ohio.

Holcim has acquired Cajun Ready Mix Concrete, the largest ready-mix concrete provider in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. The deal adds Cajun’s eight ready-mix plants, 51 mixer trucks and roughly 108 employees to Holcim’s North America ready-mix footprint, supporting Holcim’s Strategy 2025 growth agenda.

Helix Energy Solutions Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in the Alliance group of companies, a Louisiana-based offshore shallow-water decommissioning and support-services provider, for $120 million in cash plus potential earnouts. The deal expands Helix's decommissioning and life-of-field maintenance capabilities and increases its presence on the Gulf of Mexico shelf as part of its Energy Transition strategy.

Executive Decisions Group Inc. (EDGI) acquired The Lost Cajun Enterprises, including the Slidell, LA corporate location and The Lost Cajun Spice Company, in a deal that closed April 15, 2022. The acquisition—managed by Summa Franchise Consulting—marks EDGI's first direct restaurant franchisor acquisition and is intended to grow the franchise system and expand the brand's geographic footprint.

Mammoth Holdings LLC acquired two express conveyor car wash locations operating as Wash 'N Roll Express Car Wash in Louisiana. The acquisition expands Mammoth's footprint in the Baton Rouge market and Gulf Coast region; Mammoth is a PE-backed car wash platform partnered with Red Dog Equity.

Home Care Delivered, a Richmond, Virginia-based provider of insurance-covered medical supplies, has acquired United Medical Providers, a Louisiana-based urological supplies distributor. The acquisition expands HCD's urology capabilities and customer reach, adding UMP's regional relationships and approximately 2,500 urology customers across 17 states to HCD's national distribution and payer network.

Gridiron Capital-backed Good Sportsman Marketing Outdoors (GSM Outdoors) has acquired Bill Lewis Outdoors, the family-owned maker of the iconic Rat-L-Trap hard bait. The deal is an add-on for GSM that expands its fishing product suite and strengthens its position in the outdoor and fishing categories.

An affiliate of Houston-based private equity firm Voyager Interests has recapitalized VooDoo Energy Services, the largest specialty pumping service provider in the Haynesville Shale. Headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, VooDoo operates 23 pumping units and complementary acid and fluid transport services; the recapitalization will provide capital and industry expertise to support growth as Haynesville production and LNG export demand increase.

Creative Planning LLC has acquired Resource Management LLC, a fee-only advisory firm with $1.9 billion in AUM led by president and CEO Randy Waesche. The deal expands Creative Planning’s national footprint and adds clients and capabilities in financial planning, family enterprise advising and asset management; DeVoe & Co. served as financial advisor to Resource Management on the transaction.

PSC Group, a portfolio company of Aurora Capital Partners, has acquired Thermoplastics Services, Inc. (TSI), a DeQuincy, Louisiana-based custom plastic compounding and pelletizing business. The add-on bolsters PSC's plastic resin sustainability and reprocessing capabilities to expand its ESG and circular-economy services for industrial, commercial and municipal customers.

U.S. Legal Support Inc., a nationwide litigation support provider, has acquired Baton Rouge Court Reporters, LLC, a long-standing court reporting firm serving Louisiana. The acquisition expands U.S. Legal Support's local footprint and resources in the Baton Rouge/Louisiana market and integrates Baton Rouge Court Reporters into its nationwide litigation support network.

BancPlus Corporation completed its acquisition of First Trust Corporation, the parent company of First Bank and Trust, with First Bank and Trust merged into BankPlus effective March 1, 2022. The deal expands BankPlus’s presence in Louisiana—notably New Orleans—creating the seventh-largest bank by deposit market share in that market and resulting in a combined company with approximately $6.4 billion in assets, $5.7 billion in deposits and $4.5 billion in gross loans.

Fort Lauderdale-based Air Pros USA has acquired Doug's Service Company, a Thibodaux, Louisiana HVAC and home services provider founded in 1988. The acquisition expands Air Pros USA's national footprint into its eighth state (Louisiana) and retains Doug's staff and operations under the existing brand.

TreviPay, a global B2B payments fintech based in Overland Park, Kansas, has acquired BATON Financial Services, Inc., a New Orleans–based developer of a B2B invoice payments network. The acquisition expands TreviPay’s trade credit and accounts-receivable/payment capabilities to better serve small B2B businesses and integrates BATON’s technology and leadership into TreviPay’s offerings.

Estes Energetics acquired the assets of GOEX from Hodgdon Powder Company and will continue and expand GOEX black powder production at the Minden, Louisiana manufacturing facility. The acquisition preserves the only U.S. commercial-scale black powder factory and secures domestic supply for sporting, fireworks, and defense customers while expanding Estes Energetics' energetics and propulsion capabilities.

Fairbanks Morse Defense (a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management) has acquired Maxim Watermakers, a Shreveport, Louisiana-based maker of desalination and water treatment systems for marine defense applications. The deal adds desalination, reverse osmosis and heat-recovery evaporator capabilities to FMD’s turnkey onboard solutions offering to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and other marine customers.