Houston, Texas June 02, 2022
Frontline Road Safety (“Frontline”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), today announced the acquisition of the pavement marking contracting operations of Ozark Striping Company, LLC. (“Ozark”). Frontline’s operating companies provide pavement marking and ancillary services to a variety of end markets and customers.
The Ozark transaction marks Frontline’s eighth acquisition since the platform was established in July 2020. Headquartered in Ozark, Alabama, Ozark Striping Company is a pavement marking contractor known across the industry as one of the leading firms in the nation.
“We are excited to expand our footprint in the Southeast region by partnering with this best-in-class pavement marking firm and look forward to working with the outstanding team at Ozark,” said Mitch Williams, CEO of Frontline Road Safety. “Ozark has a strong presence in Alabama and is a great addition to the Frontline family.”
“We have built a premier pavement marking contractor of considerable scale and believe Frontline is the ideal partner for Ozark going forward,” said Lee Gross, President of Ozark Striping Company.
Over the last several years, Sterling has executed on its investment thesis to build a leader in the road safety and infrastructure maintenance industry. Through organic growth and further acquisitions, Sterling intends to continue building Frontline into the leading platform for road safety solutions with best-in-class local execution capabilities. Sterling has a long history of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to support the growth of their businesses.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 62 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Houston, TX May 02, 2022
Fencing Supply Group (FSG) today announced that it has acquired Specialty Fence Wholesale, Inc. (SFW), a respected leading wholesaler of vinyl and aluminum fencing products in the Central Florida market.
“It is truly an exciting time, and we are thrilled to welcome the talented and dedicated people of Specialty Fence Wholesale, Inc. to our Fencing Supply Group team,” said Andrea Hogan, CEO of Fencing Supply Group. “We are building North America’s premiere distribution company for fencing and outdoor living products, and SFW is the ideal addition to our team.”
“Specialty Fence Wholesale complements our existing footprint in the Tampa and Southeast regional area,” added Jeff Cook, FSG Executive Vice President of M&A and Greenfields. “New and existing customers will benefit from having more options and greater access to high-quality fencing, perimeter security and outdoor living products.”
“We are proud of what we built over the past 20 years. Specialty Fence Wholesale has a strong reputation for quality products, competitive pricing, and the best customer service,” remarked Al Robinson, owner of Specialty Fence Wholesale, Inc. “Today, we found the right partner in Fencing Supply Group, who will help us elevate what we do so well to the next level.”
Fencing Supply Group is a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, an operationally focused private equity firm focused on the industrial sector. Sterling has deep experience in the building products distribution industry, having previously partnered with entrepreneur owners to build Roofing Supply Group, Construction Supply Group, and Artisan Design Group. Fencing Supply Group and Sterling intend to continue to support the platform through organic growth initiatives and an active acquisition strategy.
About Fencing Supply Group
Founded in 2021, Fencing Supply Group (FSG) is a group of industry-leading fencing distributors. FSG is the largest wholesale distributor and manufacturer of fencing and outdoor living supplies in the United States. FSG businesses serve professional fencing contractors who provide new, improvement, and repair fencing services across residential, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure end markets. The FSG model combines local relationships, service, and expertise with national scale and resources to benefit customers, employees, and suppliers. Current FSG companies include Binford Supply, Cedar Supply, Fence Supply, Merchants Metals, Pro Access Systems, Sharon Fence Distributors, Specialty Fence Wholesale Jacksonville, and Vinyl By Design, which collectively operate nearly 70 branches across more than 30 states.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 62 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Houston, TX April 18, 2022
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the additions of Meghan Leggett as Director, and Jared North as Director, Sourcing, as well as six internal promotions: John Griffin has been promoted to Director; Steven Hirsch to Director; Nate Reeve to Principal; Annika Ward to Vice President, Management Company Accounting; Jared Bell to Vice President; and Christine Shtepani to Vice President, Sourcing.
“Each of these talented individuals has made tremendous contributions to the firm and we look forward to their continued success in their new roles,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group.
Meghan Leggett, Director, joins Sterling from White Deer Energy where she was a Managing Director focused on investing in products and services businesses in the energy, industrials and infrastructure end markets. Jared North, Director, Sourcing, joined Sterling in March to expand the firm’s sourcing efforts in the Northeast. Prior to Sterling, he spent twelve years in investment banking, most recently with Stifel and RBC Capital Markets in New York, advising clients on acquisitions, divestitures and financings across the Diversified Industrials sector.
To learn more about a career at The Sterling Group, please visit www.sterling-group.com/careers/ or contact Claudine Lussier at clussier@sterling-group.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 62 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Houston, TX March 02, 2022
The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), an operationally-focused middle market private equity firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of West Star Aviation, LLC (“West Star”) from Norwest Equity Partners. West Star is a provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (“MRO”) services to the business aviation industry providing maintenance, modification, and other services to aviation customers. West Star provides services at four primary locations in East Alton, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Perryville, Missouri, as well as fifteen mobile repair bases and satellite MRO facilities. West Star also provides parts distribution and composite repair services through its Avant and DAS businesses respectively.
Sterling has deep experience in the business aviation industry, having previously partnered with entrepreneur owners to build Lynx, an FBO Network. Greg Elliott, a Partner at The Sterling Group, has been involved in building several business aviation platforms in the past twenty years, including as either Chairman or Board Member of Lynx, Encore, Trajen, and Landmark Aviation.
“We believe that our experience coupled with West Star’s industry-leading customer service capabilities will make us a powerful combination,” said Greg Elliott, Partner at The Sterling Group. “Jim Rankin has built a stellar leadership team, and we are eager to help accelerate their growth plans.”
“Sterling’s employee-focused approach to their business partnerships and their expertise in the general aviation space makes them the perfect fit for West Star,” said Jim Rankin, CEO of West Star Aviation. “As we enter our 75th year, the combined efforts of our experienced employees, our founders, and now the Sterling team, will allow West Star to continue to offer the best customer experience in the industry,” Rankin continued.
West Star has been voted the #1 Preferred MRO for eight consecutive years from 2014-2021 in Professional Pilot Magazine’s annual PRASE Survey. The survey first included the ‘Most Preferred MRO’ category in 2014 and West Star has won the #1 slot each year since its inception.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 62 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
Houston, TX February 01, 2022
Fencing Supply Group (“FSG”) today announced that it has acquired Specialty Wholesale Fence Jacksonville. Specialty Wholesale Fence is a respected leading wholesaler of vinyl and aluminum fencing products in the Jacksonville, Florida, market.
“We are excited to welcome the dedicated people of Specialty Fence Wholesale to our Fencing Supply Group team,” said Andrea Hogan, CEO of Fencing Supply Group. “We are building North America’s premiere distributor for fencing and outdoor living products, and Specialty Fence Wholesale is the ideal fit.”
“Specialty Fence Wholesale complements our existing footprint in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas,” added Jeff Cook, FSG executive vice president of M&A and Greenfields. “New and existing customers will benefit from having more options and greater access to high-quality fencing, perimeter security and outdoor living products.”
“We have built a company that thrives on providing the best customer experience in the fence industry and takes pride in our knowledgeable staff and high-quality products,” remarked Stephen Seymour, owner of Specialty Fence Wholesale Jacksonville. “Our market is becoming more competitive, and customers are looking for more. By joining Fencing Supply Group, we can take our business to the next level, which means an opportunity to accelerate growth and more professional options for our people.”
Fencing Supply Group is a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, an operationally focused private equity firm focused on the industrial sector. Sterling has deep experience in the building products distribution industry, having previously partnered with entrepreneur owners to build Roofing Supply Group, Construction Supply Group, and Artisan Design Group. Fencing Supply Group and Sterling intend to continue to support the platform through organic growth initiatives and an active acquisition strategy.
About Fencing Supply Group
Founded in 2021, Fencing Supply Group (FSG) is a group of industry-leading fencing distributors. FSG is the largest wholesale distributor and manufacturer of fencing and outdoor living supplies in the United States. FSG businesses serve professional fencing contractors who provide new, improvement, and repair fencing services across residential, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure end markets. The FSG model combines local relationships, service, and expertise with national scale and resources to benefit customers, employees, and suppliers. Current FSG companies include Binford Supply, Cedar Supply, Fence Supply, Merchants Metals, Pro Access Systems, Sharon Fence Distributors, and Vinyl By Design, which collectively operate nearly 70 branches across more than 30 states.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Houston, TX December 03, 2021
The Sterling Group, a middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has completed the sale of Time Manufacturing Holdings, LLC (“Time Manufacturing Company”, or “Time”) to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”). Headquartered in Waco, Texas, Time Manufacturing Company is a global designer, manufacturer, and distributor of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts for electric utility, telecommunications, infrastructure, and forestry end markets.
Sterling acquired Time in 2017 from a family who had owned the business for over forty years. Sterling recruited key additions to a strong team, led by Curt Howell, to lead Time during its next phase of growth. Over the past five years, Sterling has invested heavily in team additions, technology improvements, manufacturing efficiencies, and commercial initiatives. Through nine acquisitions, Time also entered new end markets, expanded the company’s presence in Europe, and improved its aftermarket service capabilities. Time has been transformed into a global leader with stronger margins and a proven track record of growth.
“Time is a great example of a classic Sterling investment,” said Brad Staller, a Partner at The Sterling Group. “We partner with management teams and family sellers across all aspects of a business to drive growth and build winning businesses. We would like to thank Curt and the entire management team for their exceptional leadership and execution.”
“Sterling’s partnership and support enabled Time to reach new levels of profitability,” said Curt Howell, CEO of Time Manufacturing Company. “We are excited to continue building on the company’s success in partnership with H.I.G.”
The Sterling Group has decades of experience partnering with management teams to execute family-owned business transitions, like Time. Approximately 75% of Sterling platform investments in the last five years have involved partnerships with family or entrepreneur owned or operated businesses.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal counsel, and Baird acted as the lead financial advisor to Sterling and Time, with D.A. Davidson & Co. also serving as a financial advisor to Sterling and Time.
About Time Manufacturing Company
Time Manufacturing Company is a global manufacturer of bucket trucks, digger derricks, cable placers, truck bodies, buckets, and other specialty equipment for electric utility, telecommunications infrastructure, bridge inspection, tree care, and other fleet-supported industries. Selling via the Versalift, BrandFX, Aspen Aerials, Ruthmann, Steiger, Ecoline and Bluelift brands, the Company employs more than 2,000 associates worldwide. For more information, visit https://timemfg.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Houston, TX November 11, 2021
The Sterling Group (“Sterling”), a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, has been named to Inc.’s third annual Founder-Friendly Investors list. This list honors the private equity and venture capital firms with the best track record of success backing entrepreneurs.
“Sterling appreciates the magnitude of the decision a family-led or entrepreneur-led business undertakes when forming a partnership with private equity. Across the industrial sector, we bring a unique approach helping families navigate a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Jim Apple, a Managing Director at The Sterling Group. “Our inclusion on this list points to forty years of crafting the right solution for each situation.”
Approximately 75% of Sterling platform investments in the last five years have involved partnerships with family or entrepreneur owned or operated businesses. Over the past forty years, Sterling has collaborated with numerous entrepreneur owners, working closely with management to drive fundamental improvement at each platform company.
Inc.’s 2021 List of Founder-Friendly Investors recognizes 146 firms that entrepreneurs can trust and collaborate with while receiving the financial support they need to help accelerate growth. All 146 have a successful track record of remaining actively involved in the businesses after their investment. To see the complete list, go to: http://www.inc.com/private-equity.
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 $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.0 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.
Dallas, TX November 01, 2021
Artisan Design Group (“ADG”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, today announced the acquisition of Accents & Interiors (“A&I”). Headquartered in Woodinville, Washington, A&I is one of the premier providers of flooring and solid surfaces in the Northwestern United States.
“We are thrilled to work with A&I to strengthen ADG’s presence in the greater Puget Sound region,” said Larry Barr, CEO of Artisan Design Group. “The addition of A&I will provide ADG with substantial growth opportunities and greater coverage of the single-family market in this region of Western Washington.”
“A&I is a great addition to the ADG family. The partnership will create an exciting opportunity for ADG to add countertops and window coverings, continuing to grow our product offerings for customers,” added Wayne Joseph, Vice Chairman of Artisan Design Group.
“A&I has achieved significant growth over the last decade and we believe partnering with ADG is the right next step for us in expanding our reach in the single-family home market nationally,” said Derek Atkinson and Dave Jacobs, Co-Founders of Accents & Interiors.
ADG is a provider of design, procurement, and installation services for flooring, cabinets and countertops, serving homebuilders, multi-family developers and institutional property owners. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ADG operates more than 135 distribution, design and service facilities and coordinates installation through over 3,000 personnel across 25 states. ADG was formed in 2016 through the combination of Floors Inc. and Malibu Floors. ADG has completed thirteen acquisitions over the past three years under Sterling’s ownership. The company has completed twenty-one total acquisitions since its founding in 2016. ADG continues to seek local and regional market leaders to add to its family of flooring, cabinets and countertops specialists.
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 $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.0 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.
Houston, TX October 13, 2021
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the addition of Carsten Weber as Technology Director. As a member of the firm’s Portfolio Resources Group, Carsten will lead technology value creation across the firm’s portfolio companies.
Carsten brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience in various roles both in industrial businesses and in consulting. Most recently, Carsten was the Director of PMO and ERP Transformation at Enbridge.
“Carsten is a great addition to the Sterling family and has already begun executing important initiatives firm-wide in the few months he has been with us,” said Brian Henry, Partner.
For forty years, Sterling has partnered with management teams of industrial businesses to drive growth and transformation. Technology is one of Sterling’s Seven Levers, or seven areas in which the firm consistently and materially impacts businesses. Technology investments typically offer meaningful opportunities for value creation at industrial companies.
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 $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.0 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.
Dallas, TX October 04, 2021
Artisan Design Group (“ADG”), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, today announced the acquisition of Distinctive Kitchens & Baths, Eurocraft Cabinets and Distinctive Millwork (collectively “DKB”). Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, DKB is a cabinet manufacturer, dealer, and installer serving the state of Florida.
“Our partnership with DKB will further our product expansion in Florida, an important area of growth for the company,” said Larry Barr, CEO of Artisan Design Group. “We look forward to working with the Canters and their team,” added Wayne Joseph, Vice Chairman of Artisan Design Group.
“We are excited for this opportunity to expand operations and partner with an industry leader such as ADG,” said Adam Canter, President of Distinctive Kitchens & Baths. “At DKB, we value a family culture for our employees and for our customers, so we are glad to be joining forces with a company that shares the same values.”
ADG is a provider of design, procurement, and installation services for flooring, cabinets and countertops, serving homebuilders, multi-family developers and institutional property owners. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ADG operates more than 135 distribution, design and service facilities and coordinates installation through over 2,500 personnel across 25 states. ADG was formed in 2016 through the combination of Floors Inc. and Malibu Floors. ADG has completed twelve acquisitions over the past two years under Sterling’s ownership. The company has completed twenty total acquisitions since its founding in 2016. ADG continues to seek local and regional market leaders to add to its family of flooring, cabinets and countertops specialists.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acted as legal advisor to ADG and Berger Singerman LLP acted as legal advisor to DKB.
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 $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.0 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.
The Sterling Group is an operationally focused middle market private equity firm that builds winning businesses for customers, employees and investors.
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