Global private markets firm Partners Group has agreed, on behalf of clients, to acquire Reedy Industries (Reedy), a US-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service provider, from Audax Private Equity.
As part of the transaction, the Reedy family, management, and Audax, will remain minority investors in the Deerfield, Illinois-headquartered business. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.
Founded in 1930 with a 90-year history, Reedy provides mission-critical maintenance, repair and replacement services for commercial HVAC, chilled water, plumbing, building automation, and controls equipment in the US. The Company has over 1,500 employees who keep thousands of schools, factories, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and government buildings safe and operating. Reedy combines technical expertise and financial resources with a local high-touch delivery model, to act as a strategic partner for servicing complex equipment with high costs of failure or downtime.
Partners Group will draw on its extensive experience transforming leading route-based commercial and facility services businesses to support Reedy’s customer-centric value creation plan. Key initiatives will include geographic expansion to a multi-regional footprint with well-known hubs and local customer relationships, growing strategic accounts, expanding service capabilities, and partnering with customers on sustainability and energy efficiency solutions.
Andrew Oliver, Managing Director, Private Equity Goods & Products, Partners Group, states: “Reedy is a well-established company in an attractive industry, supported by a talented management team who are uniquely positioned to capitalise on multiple tailwinds supporting sector growth. The Company has a tried and tested blueprint for expanding into new geographies by acquiring successful, reputable businesses. We are excited to bring our network, transformational investment strategy, and platform building expertise into partnership with Joe and his team.”
Joe Kirmser, Chief Executive Officer, Reedy, says: “We have experienced substantial growth in recent years but now want a long-term partner to help strengthen our competitive advantage, invest in technical resources, and expand into new markets. Partners Group shares our entrepreneurial values and brings decades of experience partnering with businesses to help achieve outsized growth in a responsible way both through organic growth and through acquisition.”
Mike Sexton, Senior Investment Leader, Private Equity Services, Partners Group, adds: “The maintenance and repair of commercial HVAC equipment has become an increasingly important theme since the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the heightened focus on indoor air quality and the effort to maintain facility environments that are healthy, energy-efficient and cost-effective. By offering reliable, high-quality, consistent service across a customer’s facility footprint, Reedy plays an essential role in enabling critical buildings to stay running safely.”
Partners Group’s investment in Reedy will be made through its Partners Group Direct Equity programs, as well as several other products and corresponding bespoke mandates. Since inception, Partners Group’s private equity business has deployed USD75 billion of capital, on behalf of its clients, and directly invested in over 270 businesses.
Latham & Watkins LLP represented Partners Group in the transaction.
