M&A Deal Summary

Frontenac Acquires Motion Solutions

On November 6, 2018, private equity firm Frontenac acquired distribution company Motion Solutions from North Branch Capital and Midwest Mezzanine Funds

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Frontenac’s 8th transaction in the Distribution sector.
  • This is Frontenac’s 62nd transaction in the United States.
  • This is Frontenac’s 11th transaction in California.
Investment Fate
  • Motion Solutions was sold to a publicly-traded strategic buyer in 2023 for 189M USD.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2018-11-06
Target Motion Solutions
Sector Distribution
Buyer(s) Frontenac
Sellers(s) North Branch Capital
Midwest Mezzanine Funds
Deal Type Secondary Buyout

Target

Motion Solutions

Aliso Viejo, California, United States
website
Motion Solutions is an engineering focused, a value-added distributor of linear motion and motion control solutions for a variety of end markets, including medical device, life sciences, technology, aerospace & defense, and general industrial & automation. Motion Solutions was founded in 1956 and is based in Aliso Viejo, California.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Frontenac

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1971
PE ASSETS 2.1B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Frontenac is a Midwest US-based private equity firm that seek profitable, lower middle-market company investments with $5 to $25 million of EBITDA. Frontenac typically partners with management when pursuing acquisitions, including companies managed by owner-operators. Sectors of interest include financial services, healthcare services, education/HR services, manufacturing, publishing/media, and technology services. Frontenac was formed in 1971 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 64 of 77
Sector (Distribution) 8 of 10
Type (Secondary Buyout) 4 of 8
State (California) 11 of 12
Country (United States) 62 of 73
Year (2018) 3 of 3
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-11-01 GNAP

Byron Center, Michigan, United States

GNAP is a national distributor of industrial abrasive products, equipment, specialty ceramics and ancillary services used by a broad base of customers in the applications of investment casting, metal stamping, machining, forging, remediation, coating, and paving.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-12-19 BHG

Dallas, Texas, United States

BHG is a provider of outpatient substance abuse treatment services, primarily for addiction to prescription pain medication. BHG was founded in 2006 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Sell -

Seller(S) 2

DESCRIPTION

North Branch Capital is a Midwest-US-based private equity firm focused on lower middle-market companies. The Firm seeks value-added distribution, niche manufacturing, and select business services companies operating in large markets with growth potential. Prospective companies typically have at least $10 million in revenue and $2 million of EBITDA. North Branch Capital was formed in 2014 and is based in Illinois.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 1 of 4
Sector (Distribution) 1 of 1
Type (Secondary Buyout) 1 of 4
State (California) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 1 of 4
Year (2018) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2017-12-05 Randazzo Mechanical Heating & Cooling

Macomb, Michigan, United States

Randazzo Mechanical Heating & Cooling is a provider of non-discretionary, residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacement and maintenance services. Randazzo Mechanical Heating & Cooling is based in Macomb, Michigan.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-05-09 Diversified Fall Protection

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Diversified Fall Protection is a designer and manufacturer of engineered fall protection systems for regulatory-driven, mission-critical safety applications and a value-added distributor of metal framings, fittings, and hardware for safety and industrial applications. Diversified Fall Protection was founded in 1994 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Buy -
SELLER

Midwest Mezzanine Funds

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Mezzanine Finance Firm
Founded 1992
PE ASSETS 1.0B USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Midwest Mezzanine Funds (MMF) is a provider of junior capital to lower middle-market, US and Canadian companies. MMF looks to invest $4 to $15 million to support buyouts, acquisition financings, recapitalizations, and growth capital needs. Prospective companies generally have consistent profits ($3 million of EBITDA), low capital intensity, and sustainable competitive advantages. Broad areas of interest include manufacturing, value-added distribution, and services. MMF will not invest in high technology, energy, or real estate. Midwest Mezzanine was formed in 1992 and has offices in Chicago and Monroe, Michigan.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 41 of 54
Sector (Distribution) 3 of 5
Type (Secondary Buyout) 20 of 24
State (California) 6 of 6
Country (United States) 40 of 53
Year (2018) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-10-01 Vessco

Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States

Vessco, Inc. is a wastewater equipment distributor and value-added service provider in its core territory of the Upper Midwest. Vessco offers its customers an exceptional breadth of products and services with its line card of valued vendors. Vessco provides its products and services in over 18 states. Vessco is based in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-11-29 City Wide Building Services

Dallas, Texas, United States

City Wide Building Services is a full-service commercial-building maintenance company that offers high, mid, and low-rise window cleaning to over 4,000 commercial, industrial, municipal, higher-education, and hospital properties. Complimentary services include equipment rental, pressure washing, inspection/certification, and building restoration/waterproofing services. City Wide Building Services was founded in 1968 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Buy -