Acquisitions in Massachusetts in 2020

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) agreed to acquire Green Garden Products, a leading North American supplier of seed packets and seed-starting products, for $532 million. The deal (expected to close in Q1 2021) expands Central’s garden product portfolio and strengthens its retail footprint and digital/merchandising capabilities; Green Garden had previously been partnered with Freeman Spogli & Co.

DNV GL acquired Energy & Resource Solutions, Inc. (ERS), a North Andover, Massachusetts–based energy engineering and consulting firm, with the transaction closing on December 30, 2020. The acquisition brings ERS’s program design, outreach, implementation and evaluation capabilities into DNV GL’s global energy advisory platform to accelerate the energy transition and expand services for utilities, government and large commercial/industrial customers.

Stamford-based private equity firm Olympus Partners has acquired ONsite Mammography, a Westfield, Massachusetts–headquartered provider of in-office women's health imaging services with more than 75 locations across the U.S. The acquisition from Revelstoke Capital Partners positions Olympus to further expand ONsite's footprint and service offerings in partnership with OB/GYN and primary care physician practices.

Nordic Capital and Astorg have agreed to jointly acquire Cytel Inc. from New Mountain Capital. Cytel, a Waltham, Massachusetts–based provider of clinical trial design software, biometrics services and advanced analytics with more than 1,500 employees, will continue to be led by CEO Josh Schultz while the new owners invest to accelerate product development and growth; terms were not disclosed.

Avista Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on healthcare, has completed its acquisition of Solmetex, the leading provider of amalgam separators and dental waste-compliance products and services. The deal (terms undisclosed) transfers ownership from prior investors including AVALT and Gemini Investors (and referenced Riveria Investment Group), with Avista planning to invest in product development and accelerate domestic and international expansion.

EVI Industries, Inc. has executed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Baystate Business Ventures d/b/a Eastern Laundry Systems, a Taunton, Massachusetts-based distributor of commercial and vended laundry equipment and provider of installation and maintenance services. The acquisition furthers EVI's strategy to expand its sales and service footprint and service operations in the New England market; the transaction is expected to close upon satisfaction of closing conditions.

42 North Dental announced an affiliation with Wellesley Dental Group, adding the practice as the company's 78th supported location and its 52nd in Massachusetts. Founders Dr. Femina Ali and Dr. Ejaz Ali will become equity partners in 42 North Dental and will continue to lead the practice while benefiting from 42 North's administrative support and transition planning.

Novartis has entered an agreement to acquire Cadent Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts–based clinical‑stage neuroscience company, adding two clinical‑stage programs for schizophrenia and movement disorders plus the buyout of MIJ821 milestones/royalties. The deal (reported up to $770 million including milestones) strengthens Novartis' neuropsychiatry portfolio and is expected to close in Q1 2021 subject to customary conditions.

Cedar Gate Technologies has acquired Deerwalk to combine complementary healthcare data management, analytics, and business intelligence capabilities into a single value-based care SaaS platform. The deal expands Cedar Gate's employer-based offerings and strengthens its end-to-end analytics, reporting, reconciliation and administrative services for payers, providers, employers and ASOs.

Alarm.com has acquired Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), a provider of indoor gunshot detection technology, to expand its commercial security solutions. SDS will operate as a subsidiary led by its existing management team and its Guardian gunshot detection system will be integrated with Alarm.com's platform to enhance situational awareness for commercial and government customers.

Enhanced Healthcare Partners (EHP) made a strategic (minority) growth investment in Hallmark Health Care Solutions, a SaaS provider of physician compensation and workforce management tools for health systems, academic medical centers and physician groups. EHP’s capital will support Hallmark’s R&D, product development and expansion of its customer base across health systems to address labor and staffing challenges.

Instructure has signed an agreement to acquire Certica Solutions, a Wakefield, Massachusetts-based K–12 assessment and analytics provider. The acquisition will integrate Certica's assessment platform, standards-aligned item banks, and Videri analytics into Instructure's Canvas learning platform to deliver more actionable student data and personalized learning at the district level. Certica was sold by New Harbor Capital; the transaction is expected to close before the end of the year.

Denver-based private equity firm Mountaingate Capital has made a strategic growth investment in Acceleration Partners LLC, a global partner and affiliate marketing services firm. The capital will support Acceleration Partners' organic growth and selective add-on acquisitions; CG Petsky Prunier served as exclusive financial advisor to Acceleration Partners.

German life‑science group Sartorius, via its subgroup Sartorius Stedim Biotech, has acquired U.S.-based purification specialist WaterSep BioSeparations LLC. The deal, valued at approximately $27 million plus an earn‑out of up to $9 million, adds hollow‑fiber crossflow filtration and single‑use bioprocessing devices aimed at gene and cell therapy, vaccine production and intensified bioprocessing to Sartorius' separation portfolio.

Stage, a Denver-based growth venture fund, has acquired ThirdChannel, a Boston-based SaaS provider of retail execution and in-store customer experience management. The acquisition brings ThirdChannel's field agent network, field management system, and analytics platform into Stage's portfolio to accelerate growth and expand Stage's capabilities in retail-focused SaaS and tech-enabled services.

WilliamsMarston LLC, a PE-backed accounting advisory and management consulting firm, acquired BA Major Associates LLC, a Boston-based corporate tax advisory firm specializing in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, renewable energy and technology sectors. The deal follows Align Capital Partners’ growth capital investment in WilliamsMarston earlier this year and brings BA Major’s partners into WilliamsMarston to expand the firm’s corporate tax capabilities.

Source Advisors, supported by equity partner Gainline Capital Partners, has acquired Intrepid Advisors to expand its nationwide footprint and technical leadership in R&D tax credit and specialized tax incentive consulting. The deal strengthens Source Advisors' service offering for manufacturing, technology companies, and CPA firm partners by adding Intrepid's engineering-driven R&D tax credit expertise.

SQUAN, a telecommunications design/build firm based in Englewood, New Jersey, has acquired ElecComm (ECC), an electric and communications line construction company headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts. The acquisition expands SQUAN's infrastructure services and geographic reach across New England and into New York, integrating ECC's 24/7 emergency outage and high/low voltage line construction capabilities.

Motion Dynamics LLC, a portfolio company of Vance Street Capital, has acquired ViaMed Holdings LLC in the platform’s first strategic add‑on acquisition. The deal expands Motion Dynamics’ micro‑precision manufacturing capabilities (coiling, braiding, nitinol shape‑setting) for medical device OEMs and contract manufacturers; terms were not disclosed.

ettain group, a portfolio company of Alvarez & Marsal Capital, has acquired Centerline Partners, a life-sciences-focused management consulting firm with offices in Beverly, MA and Bridgewater, NJ. The deal expands ettain group's consulting capabilities and strengthens its presence in the life sciences market.

World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA), a Top 100 insurance brokerage headquartered in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, acquired R.S. Gilmore Insurance Agency, Inc. of North Attleboro, Massachusetts on December 1, 2020. The deal establishes WIA's first office in Massachusetts and expands its regional footprint; terms were not disclosed.

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc., a subsidiary of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., acquired the assets of Mass Movement, Inc. to expand its final mile delivery, assembly and installation capabilities for large and bulky products. The acquisition strengthens J.B. Hunt's Final Mile Services and deepens its presence in the commercial fitness equipment end market; both founders of Mass Movement will join J.B. Hunt in leadership roles.

OneShield Software, a Marlborough, Massachusetts-based provider of SaaS core systems for property & casualty (P&C) insurers, received a growth investment led by Bain Capital Credit and Pacific Lake Partners. The funding will accelerate OneShield’s expansion in the P&C insurance software market and support investments in product and delivery capabilities; financial terms were not disclosed.

Paramit Corporation, a portfolio company of Altaris Capital Partners, acquired Emphysys, Inc., a Boston-area technology development firm specializing in medical device, life sciences and industrial product development. The acquisition expands Paramit's upstream product development capabilities and adds a Greater Boston presence to support growth in medical device and life sciences markets.

Emerson has completed the acquisition of 7AC Technologies, a Beverly, Massachusetts-based startup that develops liquid desiccant air-conditioning technology. The deal expands Emerson's commercial and residential HVAC capabilities by adding 7AC's energy-efficient humidity and air-management solutions.

Spiceworks Ziff Davis (SWZD) has acquired Aberdeen, a provider of behavioral-based intent data, demand generation programs, and industry research, from Halyard Capital. Aberdeen will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SWZD and the deal expands SWZD's intent-data capabilities and research offerings to better connect technology buyers and sellers.

Clearlake Capital Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Wellness Pet Food Holdings Company (WellPet) from affiliates of Berwind Corporation. WellPet, headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is a leading premium natural pet food and treats manufacturer with 400+ employees and production facilities in Indiana, Minnesota and the Netherlands; Clearlake plans to invest in growth, brand innovation and build a consolidation platform in the premium pet food category.

Volaris Group, an operating group of Constellation Software Inc., has acquired medaptus, a Boston-based healthcare IT software company. The acquisition expands Volaris’ healthcare software portfolio by adding medaptus’ revenue cycle, patient assignment, and throughput automation solutions to its vertical market offerings.

Veolia North America, through its energy subsidiary SourceOne Inc., has acquired Boston-based Energenix, a meter-reading and billing services provider serving Eastern Massachusetts. The deal expands SourceOne's metering and energy-management capabilities and makes Veolia North America a leading meter services provider in the Greater Boston area.

Covis Group S.à r.l. completed a cash tender offer and merger to acquire AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $13.75 per share, taking AMAG private and delisting its NASDAQ shares. The acquisition adds AMAG’s marketed products (including Feraheme and Makena) and development-stage assets in women’s health and hematology/oncology to Covis’ specialty pharma portfolio, supported by financing from Capital One and investment funds managed by HPS Investment Partners.

Hub International Limited acquired the assets of Baystate Fiduciary Advisors, Inc., a Boston-based fiduciary advisory firm that manages approximately $2.9 billion in client assets. The deal strengthens Hub’s Retirement and Private Wealth capabilities in New England by adding Baystate’s talent and retirement plan advisory services; Baystate’s Managing Partner Gregg Andonian will join Hub RPW in the region.

Esdec, a global rooftop solar mounting solutions provider, has acquired PanelClaw, the leading U.S. commercial flat-roof PV racking supplier. The acquisition expands Esdec's U.S. market share and product portfolio in the commercial & industrial solar segment; financial terms were not disclosed.

CORSAIR (NASDAQ:CRSR) has acquired Gamer Sensei, the esports coaching platform that connects gamers with professional coaches. Gamer Sensei will operate as a subsidiary brand within CORSAIR, expanding CORSAIR's gaming ecosystem and giving players access to coaching and training alongside CORSAIR's hardware and content-creation products.

Eze Castle Integration, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, has acquired Boston-based digital transformation firm NorthOut. The acquisition expands Eze Castle's application development, digital experience design, DevOps and systems integration capabilities to accelerate its digital transformation offering for financial and professional services clients.

Riveron, a Dallas-based business advisory firm, has acquired Winter Harbor, a Boston-based restructuring and turnaround advisory firm. The deal expands Riveron's restructuring capabilities and adds geographic presence in Boston and the greater New England market; terms were not disclosed.

Riverside Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, completed an investment in Syner-G Pharma Consulting, a CMC regulatory and compliance consulting firm headquartered in Southborough, Massachusetts. The partnership with Syner-G's founders aims to support the company's next stage of growth, expand customer reach, and broaden service offerings to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.

Exact Sciences Corp. agreed to acquire Thrive Earlier Detection Corp. for up to $2.15 billion in cash and stock, a deal intended to combine Thrive's CancerSEEK multi-cancer blood test with Exact Sciences' commercial and R&D capabilities. The transaction, unanimously approved by both boards, is designed to accelerate development, regulatory approval, and adoption of blood-based multi-cancer screening.

Stewart Appraisals Management, a subsidiary of Stewart Information Services Corporation, acquired Pro Teck Valuation Intelligence to expand its appraisal and valuation capabilities and add Pro Teck's Valuation Intelligence cloud-based platform and analytics. The deal strengthens Stewart's scale across mortgage origination, servicing and capital markets by combining Pro Teck's technology, data and valuation services with Stewart's national valuation operations.

Auction Technology Group (ATG) has acquired Auction Mobility, a US-based provider of customizable auction software and white-label e-commerce solutions for auctioneers. The deal expands ATG's North American presence and adds a customizable bidding platform to its suite of digital auction marketplaces.

Private equity firm Vector Capital completed the acquisition of MarkLogic Corporation, a provider of enterprise data integration and data management solutions. Vector named Adrian Carr as CEO and said it will partner with management to accelerate MarkLogic’s growth, including its automated cloud offering, Data Hub Service.

SmartBear announced that Vista Equity Partners has made a significant investment and will join Francisco Partners as equal owners of the company. The capital infusion is intended to help SmartBear broaden and strengthen its DevOps and software quality solutions and to pursue continued organic and inorganic growth. SmartBear is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts and serves millions of developers across thousands of organizations.

Cinedigm has agreed to acquire The Film Detective, a classic film and television content distributor and operator of two FAST channels, adding roughly 3,000 titles and ~10,000 episodes to Cinedigm's streaming portfolio. The Film Detective will continue to operate under founder Philip Hopkins as a standalone brand while Cinedigm plans to expand distribution and launch additional genre channels leveraging its Matchpoint platform.

Eli Lilly and Company agreed to acquire Cambridge-based Disarm Therapeutics for an upfront $135.0 million, with potential development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $1.225 billion. The acquisition adds Disarm's preclinical SARM1 inhibitor programs to Lilly's R&D efforts in pain and neurodegeneration to accelerate development of disease‑modifying therapies for axonal degeneration.

Focus Technology, a Boston-based IT infrastructure and managed services provider, has acquired Boston-based data engineering firm IntegritD to expand its data management, analytics and cloud data engineering capabilities. The deal is intended to strengthen Focus's ability to help customers store, secure and manage data across data centers and cloud environments.

Affiliates of CriticalPoint Capital completed the acquisition of Shoes.com from Walmart on October 13, 2020. CriticalPoint plans to support Shoes.com's next phase of growth by optimizing product assortment, improving the e-commerce shopping experience, and leveraging operational capabilities.

Boston-based private equity firm New Heritage Capital made a growth investment in Massachusetts-based Carnegie Dartlet, a provider of digital marketing, lead generation and research services to higher education institutions. The transaction provides liquidity and financial flexibility to the company while leaving operating control with the reinvesting founders to accelerate future growth.

Apptio, Inc. has acquired SaaSLicense, a SaaS discovery, optimization, and management product, to extend its technology business management and cloud financial management capabilities. The acquisition adds SaaSLicense's automatic SaaS usage and spending detection to Apptio's existing Cloudability and broader portfolio to help customers manage SaaS spend and compliance.

WellSky, a health and community care technology company backed by TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners, agreed to acquire CarePort Health from Allscripts for $1.35 billion. The divestiture, expected to close before the end of 2020 subject to regulatory approvals, transfers CarePort’s client base and ~200 associates to WellSky and expands WellSky’s care coordination and post-acute capabilities.

Morgan Stanley has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Eaton Vance for an equity value of approximately $7 billion, creating a larger Morgan Stanley Investment Management platform with expanded product and distribution capabilities. The deal combines Eaton Vance’s asset management and retail distribution strengths with Morgan Stanley’s global scale to increase fee-based revenues, deliver cost synergies, and broaden client offerings.

HHAeXchange has acquired Boston-based Annkissam LLC to combine capabilities and create a comprehensive SaaS platform serving Medicaid homecare and self-direction (HCBS) agencies, payers, and state programs. The deal expands HHAeXchange's product offering into state financial management service (FMS) and self-direction workflows and brings Annkissam's clients (supporting HCBS agencies in 38 states) onto the combined platform.