CenterOak Partners (CenterOak), a Dallas-based private equity firm, has formed SurfacePrep through a combination of its legacy investment in GNAP and 10 strategic acquisitions over the last 18 months, including the recent acquisition of Temple Associates, a distributor of loose abrasives and blast equipment based in Sacramento, California. The combination creates the largest provider of surface enhancement solutions in North America. The SurfacePrep network includes 36 distribution branches, process development labs and production finishing centres strategically located in major manufacturing hubs across the United States and Canada, giving the Company the ability to serve its customers coast to coast.
SurfacePrep’s diverse customer base ranges from local industrial end users to global Fortune 500 manufacturing companies. The Company’s technical sales force takes a consultative approach to solving its customers’ most demanding surface enhancement challenges such as the finishing of precision aerospace parts or medical implants. By having the largest footprint in the industry, SurfacePrep is uniquely positioned to address the entire spectrum of any surface enhancement need – process development, equipment, just-in-time consumables distribution, equipment repair or outsourced production finishing.
“The formation of SurfacePrep is an important milestone in building the market-leading provider of surface enhancement solutions in North America,” says Mike Currie, CEO of SurfacePrep. “Our recent acquisition efforts enable us to offer significant industry expertise, geographic reach and technical capabilities to our customers and our global supply chain partners. We are pleased to welcome these acquired companies and their employees to our SurfacePrep family and look forward to building a stronger organisation together.”
“Since partnering with CenterOak 18 months ago, SurfacePrep has been actively expanding to better serve its customers in key manufacturing regions throughout North America,” says Jason Sutherland, a Partner with CenterOak. “Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, SurfacePrep has doubled EBITDA and significantly expanded its distribution footprint to become the leading distributor of specialty abrasives, ceramics, and surface enhancement equipment in North America.”
