Dallas, TX October 06, 2026
The Sterling Group Foundation Fund (the “Foundation Fund”), an operationally focused lower middle market private equity firm, announces the acquisition of Slingmax Group (“Slingmax” or the “Company”).
Headquartered in Aston, Pennsylvania, Slingmax is a leading manufacturer and distributor of engineered sling and rope solutions and complementary products used for lifting, pulling, and securing applications. The Company’s vertically integrated model spans design, manufacturing, and distribution, and its solutions serve a diverse set of end markets, including utilities, power generation, working at height, civil and transportation infrastructure, aerospace and defense, marine, mining, construction, and other industrial applications.
“We believe Slingmax is the name customers trust when a lift is critical and there is no margin for error. The business is rooted in a commitment to safety and has deep engineering expertise that translates to high-quality performance across an array of end markets,” said Lucas Cutler, Partner of the Foundation Fund. “We look forward to working with Slingmax’s strong management team to accelerate growth in this next chapter.”
“For decades, our brands have earned the trust of the people who do the heaviest and most demanding work – from riggers and linemen to mariners and working at height, by delivering equipment that performs when it matters most,” said Chris Chrisafides, Chief Executive Officer of Slingmax Group. “Slingmax has a long history of being an industry leader, and we are thrilled to partner with The Sterling Group to execute our value creation plan for the company.”
The Foundation Fund aims to leverage The Sterling Group’s operational capabilities and experience in the industrial sector to “set the foundation” for growth at lower middle market companies. Other Foundation Fund portfolio companies include Premier Tire and Service, Compost 360, Russell Landscaping, Overhead Garage Door, American Glass Services, and The Scruggs Companies.
Slingmax was previously a portfolio company of River Associates, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based private equity firm. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to the Foundation Fund in connection with the transaction. Piper Sandler served as financial advisor to River Associates.
About Slingmax Group
Headquartered in Aston, Pennsylvania, Slingmax Group is the parent organization of Slingmax Rigging Solutions, I&I Sling, and Yale Cordage, each a leading brand in engineered lifting, rigging, and high-performance synthetic rope solutions. The Company designs, manufactures, and distributes synthetic and wire rope slings, high-performance ropes, and complementary products used for lifting, pulling, and securing applications. For more information, please visit www.slingmaxgroup.com.
About The Sterling Group Foundation Fund
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 79 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. Represents Sterling’s opinions, beliefs, and assessments. Although Sterling believes these assessments are reasonable, they are inherently subjective in nature.
Oshkosh, WI September 29, 2026
AGS American Glass Services (“AGS” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group Foundation Fund (“Sterling”), has completed the acquisition of Mark Industries (“Mark”), a commercial glazing contractor based in Elgin, IL.
Mark Industries provides fabrication and installation of commercial glass systems for warehouse, office, retail, and other building types throughout the greater Chicago area. With in-house fabrication capabilities and a reputation for high-quality project execution, Mark brings a tenured glazier workforce and long-standing customer relationships in its local market. Josh Cunningham, Mark’s owner and President, joined the AGS platform following closing and will continue to lead the business.
The acquisition extends AGS’s footprint into the Chicago metropolitan market and places Mark in close proximity to AGS’s East Moline operations, creating opportunities to better serve customers across northern Illinois.
Sterling launched AGS in July 2025 through its investment in Omni Glass & Paint and East Moline Glass, two long-standing Midwest glazing businesses that serve as the platform’s core operating companies, with the goal of building a market-leading commercial glazing and coatings platform across the Midwest. Since then, AGS has invested in platform infrastructure and a suite of centralized services to support operations. With the addition of Mark, we believe AGS is one of the largest glazing contractors in the Midwest and ranks among the top glazing platforms in the United States by revenue. The Company continues to pursue acquisition opportunities in both existing and new markets.
About AGS American Glass Services
AGS American Glass Services, headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a leading provider of custom glass and coating solutions to customers across the Midwest and one of the largest commercial glazing companies in the United States. Launched in July 2025 with Omni Glass & Paint and East Moline Glass as its core operating businesses, AGS also includes Arrow Glass, Elite Glass & Metal, Cedar Rapids Glass Company, and Mark Industries. The Company provides commercial glass installation, paint and coating services, tempered glass distribution, and glass products for specialty vehicles, with in-house fabrication and coatings capabilities that support scalable growth. AGS now has approximately 500 employees across 10 locations and draws on more than 65 years of operating history. For more information, please visit www.agsglassgroup.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. Represents Sterling’s opinions, beliefs, and assessments. Although Sterling believes these assessments are reasonable, they are inherently subjective in nature.
Huntersville, NC September 16, 2026
Precision Concepts International, LLC (“PCI”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), today announced the appointment of Pete Bitter as Vice President of Corporate Development and Project Management Office (“PMO”), effective September 14, 2026.
Mr. Bitter brings more than two decades of transaction and corporate finance experience in industrial businesses to PCI. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Development and Transformation at MCC Label, a portfolio company of CD&R, where he led development and execution of strategic and corporate finance projects including M&A and value creation initiatives. Prior to MCC Label, Mr. Bitter spent twelve years at Altium Packaging, LLC, a portfolio company of Bain Capital and, subsequently, Loews Corporation. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bitter held corporate development and investment banking roles at INVISTA (Koch Industries), Macquarie Group, The Home Depot / HD Supply, and PM Corporate Finance.
“Pete’s track record leading M&A strategy and execution at scale makes him an ideal fit as we continue to grow the PCI platform through disciplined M&A and organic growth initiatives. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team,” said Ray Grupinski, Chief Executive Officer of PCI.
Ken Swanson, Chairman of the Board of PCI, added “Pete brings deep transaction experience and strong project management credentials to PCI. His addition strengthens our team and our capabilities as PCI pursues its next phase of growth.”
“PCI and Sterling have built a strong foundation and a clear expansion strategy. I look forward to helping the team as we work toward building a national leader in specialty rigid packaging,” said Pete Bitter, VP of Corporate Development and PMO at PCI.
About Precision Concepts
Based in Huntersville, North Carolina, Precision Concepts is a diversified manufacturer of specialty rigid packaging solutions (bottles, jars, vials, closures, spouts, sticks, tubes) serving the personal care, medical, household, and food and beverage industries. The company has ~1,200 employees and eighteen manufacturing facilities primarily located in the United States and Canada. For further information, please visit www.pcinternational.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. Forward-looking statements reflect current intentions only and are subject to change without notice. No assurance can be given that the objectives or results described herein will be achieved.
Fort Worth, TX September 09, 2026
Overhead Garage Door (“OGD”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group Foundation Fund (“Sterling”), has completed three acquisitions year-to-date: Madisonville Garage Doors (June 2026), Hall’s Garage Doors (June 2026), and Compaan Garage Doors (August 2026). All three businesses are founder-owned and were sourced through OGD’s and Sterling’s proprietary relationships.
OGD is a leading provider of residential and commercial garage door sales, installation, and service. The Madisonville and Hall’s transactions deepen OGD’s service density across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, while Compaan extends the platform’s coverage into attractive metropolitan markets in Michigan. Each business brings a tenured technician workforce and established customer relationships in its local market, and leadership that joined the OGD platform following closing.
Sterling partnered with OGD in July 2024 to build on the Company’s reputation for responsive service and technician-led growth. In the two years since, OGD has completed six add-on acquisitions and invested heavily in platform infrastructure, including centralized procurement, lead generation, consumer financing programs, and a fully integrated technology suite. The Company has expanded from 45 to nearly 70 metropolitan markets and now operates across more than 20 states. The Company continues to pursue a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities in both existing and new markets.
HamptonRock Partners served as transaction advisor and Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP and McDermott Will & Schulte served as legal advisor to OGD.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Nashville, TN September 03, 2026
Pavement Preservation Group, Inc. (“PPG”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), today announced the appointment of Barnes Barton as Chief Executive Officer following Darin Matson’s planned retirement effective September 1, 2026.
Mr. Barton brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience to the PPG platform, including sixteen years in the construction materials sector at CRH. He most recently served as President of the South Division, CRH Americas Materials and previously held various business leadership roles at the company. Additionally, Mr. Barton served on the board of Sterling’s Frontline Road Safety investment from 2023 through Sterling’s sale of the company to Bain Capital in 2025, and, since 2024, serves on the board of the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
“We’re excited to partner with Barnes again as PPG enters its next chapter of growth. His operating track record and experience leading regional platforms — combined with the trust we built working together at Frontline — give us confidence in PPG’s continued strong trajectory,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group. “And as we welcome Barnes, we say ‘thank you’ to Darin, who came out of retirement nearly two years ago to lead the newly-established PPG platform. We are deeply grateful for his leadership over this formative period and wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”
“I am thrilled to join PPG at such an exciting moment in the company’s evolution. I look forward to working alongside PPG’s talented team to build on the strong foundation already in place and deliver even greater value to our customers and partners,” said Barnes Barton, Chief Executive Officer of PPG.
PPG provides specialized pavement preservation products and services that help extend the useful life of asphalt infrastructure through cost-effective solutions. Through continued organic growth and disciplined acquisitions, Sterling and PPG intend to further scale the platform, deliver even greater value to customers, and strengthen PPG’s position as a leading national provider of pavement preservation solutions with strong local execution capabilities.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $25 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. Forward-looking statements reflect current intentions only and are subject to change without notice. No assurance can be given that the objectives or results described herein will be achieved.
Houston, TX July 31, 2026
The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), a middle market private equity firm, today announced it has completed the previously announced sale of Tangent Technologies (“Tangent”) to Platinum Equity. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, Tangent is a leading manufacturer of high-performance synthetic materials used for outdoor living, site amenities, structural applications and marine decking. In recent years, these premium materials have become a leading substitute for traditional building materials given their durability, low maintenance, and aesthetics. Tangent manufactures its products using a combination of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled feedstock.
In 2018, Sterling partnered with Tangent’s founders to build on the company’s successful track record of innovation and exceptional customer service in the synthetic materials industry. Sterling’s experience partnering with family sellers and history of sharing economics with employees were important factors in the partnership with Tangent. During Sterling’s ownership, Tangent expanded to serve new customers and new end markets, more than tripling in size.
Moelis and Lincoln served as financial advisors and McDermott Will & Schulte served as legal advisor to Tangent.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Houston, TX June 23, 2026
The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), a middle market private equity firm, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Tangent Technologies (“Tangent”) to Platinum Equity. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, Tangent is a leading manufacturer of high-performance synthetic materials used for outdoor living, site amenities, structural applications and marine decking. In recent years, these premium materials have become a leading substitute for traditional building materials given their durability, low maintenance, and aesthetics. Tangent manufactures its products using a combination of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled feedstock.
In 2018, Sterling partnered with Tangent’s founders to build on the company’s successful track record of innovation and exceptional customer service in the synthetic materials industry. Sterling’s experience partnering with family sellers and history of sharing economics with employees were important factors in the partnership with Tangent. During Sterling’s ownership, Tangent expanded to serve new customers and new end markets, more than tripling in size. John Griffin, Sterling Partner, spent a year embedded in the business to assist the management team with these growth initiatives.
“Sterling is grateful for the trust founders Guy DeFeo, Andy Stephens, and Pancho Morales placed in us when choosing Sterling as a partner,” said John Griffin. “I am confident Tangent’s exceptional management team, led by CEO Kevin Potthoff and President/CFO Brad Huffman, will achieve even greater milestones in the next phase of growth in partnership with Platinum.”
Moelis and Lincoln served as financial advisors and McDermott Will & Schulte served as legal advisor to Tangent.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Houston, TX May 21, 2026
The Scruggs Companies (“Scruggs”), consisting of The Scruggs Company and Neil Technical Services, today announced the appointment of Greg Rogowski to its Board of Directors. Scruggs is a provider of critical products and services to the municipal water and wastewater industry.
Mr. Rogowski brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience across the water infrastructure, industrial, and engineered materials sectors. He most recently served as Executive Vice President of Mueller Water Products, Inc. from 2018 to 2020 and President of Mueller Co. from 2009 to 2017, where he led the company’s core operating division focused on water distribution infrastructure, and oversaw sales and marketing. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rogowski served as President & CEO of Performance Fibers and held general management and global marketing leadership positions at Honeywell / AlliedSignal across engineered materials businesses.
“Greg’s appointment to the Scruggs Board reflects our focus on surrounding the company with operators who have scaled leading businesses in the water infrastructure ecosystem,” said Dan Myers, President of Scruggs. “His relationships across the OEM and distribution landscape, combined with his commercial and operational track record, will be invaluable as we work to further grow Scruggs.”
“Scruggs has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner to municipalities and OEMs across a large and growing market,” said Greg Rogowski. “I see tremendous opportunity to deepen the company’s OEM relationships, expand its service capabilities, and pursue strategic growth in attractive geographies. I look forward to working with the Scruggs team to realize that potential.”
About The Scruggs Companies
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, The Scruggs Companies provides essential flow control products – spanning valves, actuators, and automation components – and repair and maintenance services for water and wastewater infrastructure across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Through its differentiated product and service offering, Scruggs supports municipal water and wastewater customers through the lifecycle of construction, expansion, and ongoing maintenance of essential water infrastructure. Scruggs is a portfolio company of The Sterling Group Foundation Fund. For further information, please visit https://www.scruggsco.com/ and https://ntshouston.com/.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Nashville, TN May 19, 2026
Pavement Preservation Group, Inc. (“PPG”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), today announced the acquisition of Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc. and its related pavement preservation affiliates (collectively “APS”), a leading vertically integrated pavement preservation contractor and manufacturer of asphalt and emulsion products.
PPG provides specialized pavement preservation products and services that help extend the useful life of asphalt infrastructure through cost-effective solutions. The addition of APS marks PPG’s fifth acquisition since the platform was formed in partnership with Sterling in 2024 and represents a transformational step forward in PPG’s journey towards building a leading national pavement preservation platform.
Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Hammonton, New Jersey, APS is a pavement preservation contractor serving state, county, and municipal customers across the Eastern and Southeastern United States. The company provides a range of services, including microsurfacing, chip seal, paving, and related solutions, and manufactures asphalt and emulsion products.
“Joining PPG achieves our vision of positioning APS with a national platform in the pavement preservation space,” said Bob Capoferri, Founder and CEO of APS, and Ken Messina, President of APS. “We are proud of what our team has accomplished over the last four decades and are excited about our future with PPG. Together, we intend to continue delivering top-notch pavement preservation solutions to our existing customers, while bringing that same high-quality level of service to new markets.”
“APS is a highly-respected provider in the pavement preservation industry with an exceptional track record of growth, operational excellence, and customer service,” said Darin Matson, CEO of PPG. “We are excited to partner with the APS team as we continue building a leading national pavement preservation platform comprised of operationally excellent companies.”
Sterling has a long history of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to build market-leading businesses. Through continued organic growth and disciplined acquisitions, Sterling and PPG intend to further scale the platform, deliver even greater value to customers, and strengthen PPG’s position as a leading national provider of pavement preservation solutions with strong local execution capabilities.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $25 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. Forward-looking statements reflect current intentions only and are subject to change without notice. No assurance can be given that the objectives or results described herein will be achieved.
St. Charles, IL May 05, 2026
Healthcare Linen Services Group (“HLSG”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), today announced the acquisition of Texas Textile Services (“TTS” or “the Company”). HLSG is a provider of mission-critical outsourced linen laundry and management services to healthcare institutions.
Texas Textile Services, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a regional provider of healthcare linen and laundry services serving hospitals and medical facilities across Texas. The company provides linen management, processing, and distribution services, including collection, laundering, sterilization support, and delivery of linens.
“This partnership represents an important step in HLSG’s continued growth strategy,” said Joe LaPorta, CEO and President of Healthcare Linen Services Group. “Texas Textile Services is a highly complementary business with strong customer relationships, an experienced team, and a shared commitment to delivering essential services to healthcare providers. We are excited to welcome the Company to HLSG and look forward to building on their success.”
The acquisition will expand HLSG’s presence in an attractive, high-growth healthcare market and provide opportunities to leverage the company’s scale, operational expertise, and customer-focused approach. Texas Textile Services’ established footprint in Texas, including its strategic operating footprint and long-tenured customer base comprised of many of Texas’ leading healthcare providers, offers a compelling platform for continued growth in a large and resilient market.
HLSG recently also completed the acquisition of Crescent Laundry, a provider of healthcare laundry services based in Davenport, Iowa with a strong reputation for quality and customer service in its regional markets. The addition of Crescent Laundry expands HLSG’s service footprint into the Iowa market and brings a high-quality processing facility into HLSG’s network, enhancing overall production capabilities and service flexibility.
Together, the acquisitions underscore HLSG’s commitment to expanding its service offering and delivering high-quality, dependable linen solutions to healthcare facilities nationwide.
About Healthcare Linen Services Group
Healthcare Linen Services Group is a leading provider of linen services to healthcare facilities, specializing in delivering high-quality linens and unparalleled customer service. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Healthcare Linen Services Group serves healthcare organizations across the Midwest and Southcentral market, supporting their critical operations and patient care. For additional information, please visit www.healthcarelinensg.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $1 billion. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 78 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $27 billion. Sterling currently has approximately $9.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Press releases and articles published prior to November 4, 2022 are being provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as advertising.
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