M&A Deal Summary

Blue Wolf Capital Partners Acquires Colson Group

On March 1, 2021, private equity firm Blue Wolf Capital Partners acquired manufacturer Colson Group from Sentinel Capital Partners, Trustar Capital and AEA Investors

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Blue Wolf Capital Partners’ 7th transaction in the Manufacturing sector.
  • This is Blue Wolf Capital Partners’ 28th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Blue Wolf Capital Partners’ 2nd transaction in Illinois.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2021-03-01
Target Colson Group
Sector Manufacturing
Buyer(s) Blue Wolf Capital Partners
Sellers(s) Sentinel Capital Partners
Trustar Capital
AEA Investors
Deal Type Secondary Buyout

Target

Colson Group

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, United States
Colson Group designs manufacture and distributes casters, wheels, and related hardware products. Colson’s products comprise a wide range of casters and wheels, including light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, and super heavy duty used in industrial, commercial, and institutional applications. Colson Group is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Blue Wolf Capital Partners

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2005
PE ASSETS 2.5B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Blue Wolf Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm that targets control investments in middle-market North American companies. Blue Wolf looks to commit at least $25 million of equity capital in businesses with minimum revenues of $50 million. Blue Wolf is a generalist firm with broad interest in service and applied engineering companies, capital equipment manufacturers, general manufacturing, financial services, paper products, and broadcast media. Blue Wolf will also consider distressed situation investments. The Firm does not invest in start-ups. Blue Wolf Capital Partners was formed in 2005 and is located in New York, New York.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 30 of 34
Sector (Manufacturing) 7 of 7
Type (Secondary Buyout) 6 of 7
State (Illinois) 2 of 4
Country (United States) 28 of 31
Year (2021) 2 of 3
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-02-08 Vicksburg Forest Products

Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States

Vicksburg Forest Products is a sawmill produces a diverse mix of dimensional and specialty lumber products. Vicksburg Forest Products is based in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-05-05 Mulch & Soil

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Mulch & Soil is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality mulches, premium planting and potting soils, decorative bark, other ground cover products, and complimentary landscape products and supplies in the rapidly growing Florida market. TM&SC operates four manufacturing and distribution facilities, which serve a diverse mix of lawn and garden retailers, commercial landscapers, and mulch installers. Mulch & Soil was founded in 2018 and is based in Fort Myers, Florida.

Sell -

Seller(S) 3

SELLER

Sentinel Capital Partners

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1995
PE ASSETS 11.2B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Sentinel Capital Partners is a private equity firm that targets investments in middle-market companies with strong management and 'attractive growth prospects'. Sentinel looks to invest up to $400 million of equity in companies generating EBITDA of up to $65 million. Sectors of interest include business services/outsourcing, consumer products and services, food and restaurants, franchising, and manufacturing. Prospective transaction situations include management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, take-privates, and growth capital financings. Sentinel Capital Partners was formed in 1995 and is based in New York, New York.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 60 of 69
Sector (Manufacturing) 4 of 4
Type (Secondary Buyout) 27 of 30
State (Illinois) 3 of 3
Country (United States) 54 of 62
Year (2021) 3 of 6
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-02-01 MB2 Dental Solutions

Carrollton, Texas, United States

MB2 Dental Solutions is a dental service organization that serves as a partner to affiliated dentists and practice owners. MB2 provides affiliated dental offices with a suite of services to help them run dental practices more efficiently, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional patient care at their practice. MB2 Dental Solutions is based in Carrollton, Texas.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-12 Holley

Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States

Holley is a designer, marketer, and manufacturer of high-performance products for car and truck enthusiasts. Holley offers the largest portfolio of iconic brands that deliver innovation and inspiration to a large and diverse community of millions of avid automotive enthusiasts who are passionate about the performance and personalization of their classic and modern cars. Holley was founded in 1903 and is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Sell -
SELLER

Trustar Capital

Hong Kong, China

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1978
PE ASSETS 7.7B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Trustar Capital is the private equity arm of financial services/asset manager CITIC Group. Trustar Capital separates its private equity investment activity into three groups; China, Japan, and the US. In general, Trustar looks to invest in companies with 'strong franchises', with established brands and high barriers to entry. For US-based opportunities, the firm looks to leverage its connections in China. Broad areas of interest include niche manufacturing, consumer products, and business services. The Firm does not invest in start-ups or distressed businesses. Trustar Capital is based in Hong Kong.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 20 of 24
Sector (Manufacturing) 4 of 5
Type (Secondary Buyout) 7 of 8
State (Illinois) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 8 of 8
Year (2021) 2 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-01 Universal Medical Group

Beijing, China

Universal Medical Group is an integrated healthcare service provider in China. The Company has two business segments: Finance Leasing and Hospital Management.​ Universal Medical Group was founded in 1984 and is based in Beijing, China.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-17 MedAlliance

Nyon, Switzerland

MedAlliance is a privately-owned medical technology company that specializes in development of technology and commercialization of advanced drug-device combination products for the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery diseases. MedAlliance founded in 2008 and is based in Nyon, Switzerland.

Buy -
SELLER

AEA Investors

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1968
PE ASSETS 19.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

AEA Investors is a private investment firm focused on investing in and acquiring businesses headquartered primarily in the US, Europe, and China. AEA looks for companies operating in stable to growing industries with a proven ability to generate positive cash-flow. Broad sectors of interest include value-added industrial products/services, specialty chemicals, consumer products, and services. In addition to its primary middle-market private equity fund, AEA maintains additional funds targeted towards mezzanine financing, senior secured debt, and small business buyouts. AEA Investors was formed in 1968 and is based in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 65 of 78
Sector (Manufacturing) 5 of 6
Type (Secondary Buyout) 28 of 34
State (Illinois) 8 of 8
Country (United States) 61 of 71
Year (2021) 3 of 6
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-01-19 Verdesian Life Sciences

Cary, North Carolina, United States

Verdesian Life Sciences is a provider of plant health, inoculants, seed treatment, and nutrition. Verdesian’s plant-health products, nutritional catalysts, and seed treatments/inoculants help growers farm more efficiently to maximize yields. Verdesian Life Sciences was founded in 2012 and is based in Cary, North Carolina.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-05-01 Cimsense

Lafayette, New Jersey, United States

Cimsense is a provider of highly engineered controls, meters and instrumentation serving the broader industrial water and life sciences markets. Cimsense is based in Lafayette, New Jersey.

Buy -