HRCP 2024 Year In Review
Hamilton Robinson’s portfolio company Signal Control Products (“SCP”) announces its acquisition of Southern Lighting and Traffic Systems. Headquartered in Cumming, GA, Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems (“SLTS”) is a leader in the lighting and traffic systems providing high quality traffic control equipment and pole structures, advanced traffic system technology, superior customer service and a steadfast commitment to safety. The combined company will create one of the largest distributors of traffic management solutions on the East Coast.
Chris Lund, Partner at Hamilton Robinson stated, “The acquisition of SLTS expands our geographic reach to the Southeast and strengthens our relationships with key OEM partners and ultimately our customers. We look forward to supporting the team as they continue their growth in the region.”
“We could not be more pleased to welcome SLTS to the SCP family. Their culture is very similar to ours, placing our customers’ success at the forefront of everything we do,” added John Bolt, CEO of SCP.
Tom Dekle, President of SLTS said, “While we will continue to operate independently under the SLTS brand, the combination with SCP will provide us with greater resources to better serve our customers and empower our employees.”
Jim Parmelee, Managing Director at Hamilton Robison continued, “The combination underscores SCP’s commitment to delivering a portfolio of leading-edge traffic management solutions to its customers.”
ABOUT SIGNAL CONTROL
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Branchburg, NJ, Signal Control is a leading value added distributor and solutions provider of signal equipment used to manage America’s busiest roads and highways today, while building safer, faster and more efficient signal control systems for tomorrow’s integrated traffic mobility.
Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners’ portfolio company, American Roller Company, closed on its latest acquisition of A-Korn Roller, Inc. A-Korn, founded in 1970 and located in Chicago, IL, gives American Roller increased capabilities in the graphic arts and converting sectors. They also add unique OEM-approved compounds and strong customer relationships to expand American Roller’s position as an industry leader in industrial rollers.
Adam Fitzner, Managing Director at Hamilton Robinson stated, “This is American Roller’s sixth acquisition since our initial investment. The team has done a great job leveraging its internal business systems to integrate acquisitions including the most advanced engineering in the industry, largest best-in-class sales team, in-house compounding, purchasing and lean operating processes.”
“We are very proud of American Roller’s success accelerating growth and increasing profits by 50%-100%+ in the first 18 months post-acquisition while retaining and creating new opportunities for the add-on’s existing team,” stated Christian Lund, Partner at Hamilton Robinson.
Dan Cahalane, CEO of American Roller continued, “We are fortunate within our industry that quality people and quality companies reach out to us to explore how collectively we can better service our customers. Partnering with the A-Korn Roller team further deepens our value to customers.”
“The A-Korn team is a great cultural fit and will allow us to improve our positioning in several important growth markets,” continued Bryan Burroughs, Vice President at Hamilton Robinson.
ABOUT AMERICAN ROLLER
American Roller Company is an industry leading provider of engineered services and industrial rollers including rubber and urethane coverings, plasma coverings and core fabrication. Founded in 1938 and based in Union Grove, WI, American Roller has multiple facilities throughout the United States and a facility in Canada and China.
Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners (“HRCP”), a lower middle market private equity firm, announces that it has sold its investment in GrayMatter to Tailwind Capital. GrayMatter is a leading provider of automation and intelligence solutions serving some of the largest industrial companies in the world.
“We are proud of the accomplishments achieved and the impressive transformation of GrayMatter’s business. The company more than tripled in size during our partnership,” stated Brandon Richter, Partner, HRCP. “We accomplished this by completing five strategic acquisitions, expanding into new end markets including life sciences, investing in its US engineering team and fast-growing India operations, and enhancing its portfolio of solutions to provide compelling value to customers.”
“We are excited for the entire management team and the 84 employee shareholders who participated alongside us, as they embark on a new chapter. GrayMatter is poised to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions on the strength of the foundational investments we made during our partnership. We invested in emerging technologies including data analytics and implemented new systems and processes to position GrayMatter for future growth,” continued James Parmelee, Managing Director, HRCP.
Jim Gillespie, CEO, GrayMatter noted, “Hamilton Robinson’s support was key to achieving our strategic objectives over the last six years. We are well positioned to create a new brand of industrial intelligence solutions for our long-standing and loyal customers.”
Finn Dixon & Herling, Crowe LLP and William Blair & Company LLC advised Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners and GrayMatter.
ABOUT GRAYMATTER
GrayMatter is a technology and solutions service company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, committed to transforming operations and empowering people in critical infrastructure environments. GrayMatter focuses on co-innovation and curating the best process and technology to drive industrial companies and utilities through digital transformations.
Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners’ portfolio company, American Roller Company closed on its third add-on in twelve months with its acquisition of PETCO Inc. (“PETCO”). PETCO, founded in 1961 and located in Lake Forest, IL, gives American Roller expanded capabilities in urethane casting as well as further penetration into the Midwest regions expanding American Roller’s position as an industry leader in industrial rollers.
Adam Fitzner, Managing Director at Hamilton Robinson stated, “PETCO is this management team’s seventh acquisition which highlights how American Roller is the acquirer of choice in their large and fragmented market. The company’s standardized processes, in-house compounding, back office and systems have allowed the team to leverage the company’s infrastructure and dramatically improve earnings.”
“The acquisition of PETCO adds another marquee name to American Roller’s family of premier brands. Through organic R&D and acquisition, the company is now a clear industry leader with the broadest set of technical capabilities—a true one-stop shop for industrial roller servicing, replacement, coatings, and coverings for web processing equipment,” stated Christian Lund, Partner at Hamilton Robinson.
“We are grateful that the Smith family and PETCO employees have placed their trust in American Roller,” said Dan Cahalane, President and CEO of American Roller. “I must also mention what an incredible team and business process we have in the American Roller Way. It is impressive how our team has been able to complete three acquisitions in twelve months and make such rapid progress on their integration.”
ABOUT AMERICAN ROLLER
American Roller Company is an industry leading provider of engineered services and industrial rollers including rubber and urethane coverings, plasma coverings, and core fabrication. Founded in 1938 and based in Union Grove, WI, American Roller has multiple facilities throughout the United States and a facility in Canada and China. For more information visit www.americanroller.com.