HCI Equity Partners Adds Whit Rudder to Investment Team

HCI Equity Partners Adds Whit Rudder to Investment Team

WASHINGTON, DC, September 19, 2024 — HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”), a lower middle-market private equity firm, today announced that Whit Rudder has joined the firm as an Associate to help evaluate, analyze and monitor investments made by the firm.

“We’re delighted to welcome Whit to the firm where he will support our deal team,” said Doug McCormick, Managing Partner at HCI. “His experience in M&A across complementary industries will be a valuable asset as we continue to identify new consolidation theses and execute transactions that support our existing portfolio companies.”

Prior to joining HCI, Mr. Rudder was senior analyst at VRA Partners, where he focused on sell-side middle-market M&A transactions in business services, industrials, consumer, technology and healthcare.

Mr. Rudder holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington & Lee University.

HCI Equity Partners-Backed LawnPRO Partners Acquires Highest Quality Lawn & Pest

WASHINGTON, DC, September 16, 2024 — LawnPRO Partners (“LawnPRO”), a platform focused on residential lawn care treatment and tree, shrub and pest control services that is backed by HCI Equity Partners, today announced that it acquired Highest Quality Lawn & Pest (“Highest Quality”). Highest Quality is the seventh acquisition for LawnPRO Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Based in Manchester, NH, Highest Quality provides lawn care treatment and tree, shrub and pest control services to residential customers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Highest Quality is LawnPRO’s first acquisition in New Hampshire and expands its geographic footprint in New England.  Matthew Scott, who leads the company and founded Highest Quality over 20 years ago, will continue to run the day-to-day operations after the transaction.

“The decision to partner with LawnPRO was an easy one. Their culture allows Highest Quality to keep its distinctness, and with the strength of the other partners to punch above our weight class in key parts of the business. We are stronger together,” said Mathew Scott, President of Highest Quality.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the accomplished team at Highest Quality Lawn & Pest to the LawnPRO Partners family of lawn care brands,” said Bill Viveen, CEO of LawnPRO. “Their high-performance culture delivers exceptional customer experiences to the fast-growing list of happy customers. The entire LawnPRO Partners family is excited about our growing strength across the Northeast.”

HCI intends to make significant investments in people, infrastructure and M&A for the growing LawnPRO Partners platform. The firm welcomes inquiries from lawn care treatment businesses interested in becoming part of the platform. Please contact Nate Novak at nnovak@hciequity.com.

Quarles & Brady served as legal counsel to HCI.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  oridiancapital.com/.

About LawnPRO Partners
LawnPRO Partners is a platform backed by HCI Equity Partners, a leading lower-middle market private equity firm. It is focused on providing high quality lawn care treatment, tree and shrub services and pest control to residential customers.

HCI Equity Partners-Backed LawnPRO Partners Acquires Fairway Lawn & Tree Service

WASHINGTON, DC, August 21, 2024 — LawnPRO Partners (“LawnPRO”), a platform focused on residential lawn care treatment, tree, shrub and pest control services that is backed by HCI Equity Partners, today announced that it acquired Fairway Lawn & Tree Service (“Fairway”). Fairway represents the sixth acquisition for LawnPRO Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 2004 by Tom Fair, Fairway Lawn & Tree Service provides lawn care treatment and tree, shrub and pest control services to residential and commercial customers in Cape Cod, MA through two locations located in Harwich and Mashpee. Fairway expands LawnPRO’s geographic footprint to New England and represents the first acquisition in Massachusetts.

“We’re proud to welcome the tremendous team at Fairway Lawn & Tree Service to the LawnPRO Partners family of lawn care brands,” said Bill Viveen, CEO of LawnPRO. “Fairway has been delivering exceptional services to their Cape Cod customers for over 20 years in large part due to the high-performing culture of the business. The entire LawnPRO Partner family is enthusiastic about our growing strength across the Northeast.”

HCI intends to make significant investments in people, infrastructure and M&A for the growing LawnPRO platform. The firm welcomes inquiries from lawn care treatment businesses interested in becoming part of the platform. Please contact Nate Novak at nnovak@hciequity.com.

Quarles & Brady served as legal counsel to HCI.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  oridiancapital.com/.

About LawnPRO Partners
LawnPRO Partners is a platform backed by HCI Equity Partners, a leading lower-middle market private equity firm. It is focused on providing high quality lawn care treatment, tree and shrub services and pest control to residential customers.

Six HCI Portfolio Companies Named to Inc. 5000’s 2024 List of Fastest Growing Companies

WASHINGTON, DC (August 19, 2024) HCI Equity Partners, a lower-middle-market private equity firm, today announced that six of its businesses representing over a third of the  portfolio have been featured on Inc. 5000’s 2024 list of the fastest growing private companies in America. The recognized platforms include Tech24Consolidated Hospitality Supplies (“CHS”), Regent Cabinet SolutionsTri-State EnterprisesHighland Commercial Roofing, and Pacific Defense. The Inc. 5000 list provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—entrepreneurial businesses. Together, these companies also added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

“We are thrilled that six of HCI’s platforms have been recognized by Inc. for achieving these impressive growth metrics,” stated Doug McCormick, Managing Partner and CIO of HCI Equity Partners. “This recognition affirms our strategy of driving transformational growth through both acquisitions and investment in organic initiatives, resulting in over 40% of HCI’s current portfolio being recognized for achieving these outstanding results. HCI remains committed to building durable businesses of scale through our partnerships with our managers and entrepreneurs.”

Tech24 is a provider of installation, preventative maintenance and repair services for foodservice facilities across the US. The company specializes in cooking, refrigeration, beverage and specialty foodservice equipment; it also performs HVAC, electrical and plumbing services. Tech24’s revenue grew 334% from 2020 to 2023 through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth initiatives, while their employment increased 187%.

Consolidated Hospitality Supplies (CHS) is a distribution company that provides operating supplies and equipment to hotel and motel properties throughout North America. The company has longstanding industry expertise and deep relationships with partners such as Wyndham and Choice, among others. CHS offers its customers a diverse product portfolio with over 3,600 different SKUs within categories that include bed and bath linens, guest care amenities, housekeeping supplies, in-room accessories, electronics and appliances, and foodservice supplies. CHS goes to market with two leading brands, American Hotel Register and Amtex. From 2020 to 2023, CHS’ revenue grew 190%, while their employment increased 130%.

Regent Cabinet Solutions is a turnkey, end-to-end custom cabinetry, countertop and hardware provider for multi-family developers, contractors, renovators, and property owners. The company manages the design, manufacturing, installation, and punch-out for exceptional new multi-family developments and property upgrades with over 120,000 successful installations to-date. Regent was founded in 2012 by CEO Reuvan Sternstein and has facilities in Maryland and Georgia. From 2020 to 2023, Regent’s revenue grew 162%, while their employment increased 181%.

Tri-State Enterprises (TSE) is a distributor of automotive aftermarket hard parts, accessories, and consumables. Through its network of over 38 locations in Texas and Arkansas, TSE serves a diverse set of automotive service centers, dealers, and e-commerce retailers. From 2020 to 2023, TSE’s revenue grew 127%, while their employment increased 130%.

Highland Commercial Roofing is a leading commercial roofing contractor offering re-roofing and repair services to a diversified mix of commercial, industrial, office and multi-family properties. From 2020 to 2023, Highland’s revenue grew 80%, while their employment increased 75%.

Pacific Defense designs, engineers and manufactures defense electronics products and solutions focused on providing open architecture systems to a variety of ground, sea and air military platforms that address constantly evolving warfare threats. From 2020 to 2023, Pacific Defense’s revenue grew 82%, while their employment increased 48%.

To view the full list of winners and database, visit www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc.

Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.‘s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Disclaimer:

Inc. Magazine’s Inc 5000 List is a published list of U.S. fast growing companies. HCI has paid a fee for our portfolio companies to be considered for this recognition. This recognition is based on the analysis of and information gathered by Inc. Magazine using its own criteria and methodologies comparing revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. The complete list of companies considered for this award is not known to HCI. There is no guarantee that similar awards will be obtained by HCI in the future. Portfolio companies should make their own determinations about the prospects of partnering with HCI.

HCI Equity Partners-Backed LawnPRO Partners Acquires LawnRx

WASHINGTON, DC, July 24, 2024 — LawnPRO Partners (“LawnPRO”), a platform focused on residential lawn care treatment, tree, shrub and pest control services that is backed by HCI Equity Partners, today announced that it acquired LawnRx (the “Company”). LawnRx represents the fifth acquisition for LawnPRO Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Based in Latrobe, PA, LawnRx is a founder-owned provider of lawn care treatment and tree, shrub and pest control services to residential customers in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. LawnPRO’s acquisition of LawnRx expands the platform’s presence in Pennsylvania, representing the third acquisition in the state and the second in Pittsburgh. LawnRx is led by Bruce Love, owner and President of LawnRx, who will remain with the Company after the transaction and continue to run the day-to-day operations.

“I am honored to be partnering with LawnPRO, a platform that aligns both culturally and strategically with the LawnRx business,” said Bruce Love. “My team and I are excited to join the strong and respected family of brands at LawnPRO, and we look forward to further accelerating our performance through our partnership.”

“We are very excited to be partnering with LawnRx, which has a solid legacy as an excellent place to work and a provider of outstanding customer service,” said Bill Viveen, CEO of LawnPRO.  “We are optimistic about the Pennsylvania market, and the experienced leadership team led by Bruce Love gives us confidence to expand our platform’s reach in this market. As we continue to add partners with strong roots and excellent leadership, we are thrilled to grow our family of lawn care services brands.”

HCI intends to make significant investments in people, infrastructure and M&A for the growing LawnPRO platform. The firm welcomes inquiries from lawn care treatment businesses interested in becoming part of the platform. Please contact Nate Novak at nnovak@hciequity.com.

Quarles & Brady served as legal counsel to HCI.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  oridiancapital.com/.

About LawnPRO Partners
LawnPRO Partners is a platform backed by HCI Equity Partners, a leading lower-middle market private equity firm. It is focused on providing high quality lawn care treatment, tree and shrub services and pest control to residential customers.

HCI Equity Partners Announces Formation of LawnPRO Partners Platform

Appoints Bill Viveen as CEO to lead investment in residential lawn care treatment

WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2024 – HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”), a  lower middle market private equity firm, today announced the formation of LawnPRO Partners (“LawnPRO”) in partnership with Bill Viveen, who will serve as the platform’s Chief Executive Officer.  LawnPRO is focused on building a best-in-class provider of lawn care treatment services, tree service, and pest control to residential customers.

Mr. Viveen brings a track record of successfully scaling and integrating service businesses, with recent experience as CEO and leader of targeted acquisition growth at Heartland Home Services, a leading residential HVAC service provider.  During his tenure, Heartland increased revenue 8x through a combination of successful M&A and strong organic growth.  Mr. Viveen also sits on the Board of Directors of Tech24, which is one of the largest providers of repair and maintenance for commercial food equipment.

Nate Novak, Principal at HCI, said, “The LawnPRO Partners platform is HCI’s latest thesis-driven, strategic investment in an attractive, fragmented technical service market.  We believe Bill’s experience scaling and integrating service businesses perfectly positions him to lead this platform.  We are thrilled with the companies and leaders we have partnered with to date.”

“I’m excited to partner with HCI and lead this platform in a market with terrific potential for organic and M&A growth that benefits from scale,” said Bill Viveen.  “We fundamentally believe in keeping local businesses local and partnering with already great companies to help them accelerate their growth plan.  I look forward to building LawnPRO into a dynamic industry leader.”

HCI intends to make significant investments in people, infrastructure, and M&A for this growing platform.  The firm welcomes inquiries from lawn care treatment businesses interested in becoming part of its LawnPRO platform. Please contact Nate Novak at nnovak@hciequity.com.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit oridiancapital.com/.

About LawnPRO Partners
Backed by HCI Equity Partners, the LawnPRO Partners platform is focused on providing high quality lawn care treatment, tree and shrub services, and pest control to residential customers.

HCI Equity Partners-Backed AmerCareRoyal Evolves into ACR

Cohesive Brand Refresh Reflects Growth and Integration

EXTON, PA, July 2, 2024 – AmerCareRoyal (“ACR”), a leading foodservice solutions company backed by HCI Equity Partners (HCI), is proud to announce the launch of its refreshed brand identity “ACR,” marking a significant milestone in its journey of growth and integration. The ACR name is familiar in the industry, as customers, vendors, and channel partners often refer to AmerCareRoyal as “ACR.”  Over the past several months, the company conducted a deep review of its brand archetype and learned that agility, collaboration, and reliability – led by the letters A, C, and R – represent the core brand values of the organization. The new name of ACR signifies these three key elements and strengthens the company’s identity as it advances in the foodservice essentials marketplace.

Following a series of strategic acquisitions, ACR emerged as a unified entity, combining the strengths and expertise of multiple companies under one cohesive brand. The refreshed brand identity embodies the collective purpose, vision, values, and culture of the newly integrated organization. While the businesses owned by AmerCareRoyal will now function under the ACR brand, their legal names remain unchanged, so operations and contractual commitments will not be impacted.

With a laser sharp focus on serving its customers, ACR believes the new brand and enhanced marketing components will produce streamlined interactions for its clients spanning the foodservice industry, from large restaurant, grocery, and convenience store chains to independent operators and the distribution networks that serve them.

Key highlights of the brand refresh include:

  • Modernized Logo: The updated logo features a clean design that symbolizes the company’s core brand values of agility, collaboration, and reliability, and a culture of humility, empathy, transparency, confidence, partnership, protection, stability, and unity.
  • Reinvigorated Color Identity: The enhanced palette introduces three vibrant colors – ACR Blue, ACR Teal, and ACR Lime – and pays homage to the company’s strong legacy and distinguished family of brands. It is timeless and modern, symbolizing experience, growth, stability, reliability, and the company’s environmental sensibility.
  • Refined Tagline: “ From source to solution.” One of the most important elements in communicating the ACR brand, the new tagline is a brand promise that clearly and emotionally connects to the company’s unique value proposition, corporate values, and culture.
  • Corporate Descriptor: “Foodservice Essentials.” Used conjunctively with the new ACR logo and delivering descriptive depth, the corporate descriptor clearly states who ACR is and what the company offers.
  • Updated Website and Collateral: The company’s freshly updated digital presence and marketing collateral reflect its new brand image and personality.

“We are thrilled to unveil our refreshed brand identity, which represents a new chapter in our journey,” said ACR’s Vice President of Marketing, Chris Rowe. “The brand refresh comes at an important time in ACR’s growth and reflects our ongoing evolution and commitment to unity and continued excellence. It celebrates the diversity, expertise, and collective strength of our team, and we believe it will resonate strongly with our customers, partners, and stakeholders.”

For more information about ACR’s brand refresh and to explore the updated brand assets, please visit www.weareACR.com.

About ACR
ACR is a single stream resource for essential packaging and preparation products used in the foodservice, janitorial, sanitation, education, industrial, hospitality, and healthcare industries. With multiple shipping points across North America, our family of brands service national level customers with outstanding customer service and an ever-growing product line. For more information about the ACR brand and to explore ACR’s comprehensive range of foodservice essentials and packaging solutions, please visit www.weareACR.com.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit oridiancapital.com/.

Tech24 Strengthens its Board of Directors with Three New Members

Steve Don, Jennifer Mintman, and Bill Viveen Bring Additional Strategic, Financial, and Industry Experience

GREENVILLE, S.C.May 1, 2024Tech24 (or “the Company”), a national industry leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, announced today that Steve Don, Jennifer Mintman and Bill Viveen all recently joined the Company’s Board of Directors. Tech24 is backed by private investment firms Vestar Capital Partners (“Vestar”) and HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”).

“Steve, Jennifer, and Bill all possess specific, differentiated skillsets gained from decades in their respective fields that will be advantageous to the Tech24 leadership team as it looks to accelerate organic and acquisitive growth while continuing to provide excellent service to its customers,” said Nikhil Bhat, Co-Head of Investments at Vestar, and Doug McCormick, Managing Partner and CIO of HCI. “All three are executives we’ve worked with over the years, and we are confident that they will add immediate value to the Board.”

Mr. Don is the CEO and President of Edward Don & Company (DON), a leading distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies and former Vestar portfolio company, bringing to the Board significant experience both with foodservice customers and in the commercial kitchen equipment space.

Ms. Mintman is a Senior Advisor at Vestar, and previously was the Chief Strategy Officer of Brightview, the nation’s largest commercial landscaping services company. She was also the former General Manager of GE Consumer Home Services, a consumer appliance repair and replacement parts and service business, and brings to the Board decades of experience in route-based facility services.

Mr. Viveen is CEO of HCI’s latest technical service rollup focused on the residential lawn care treatment market. He is also the former CEO of Heartland Home Services, one of the largest residential HVAC providers in the country. He brings to the Board a strong track record of creating value in service providers through M&A, effective integration, and organic growth initiatives.

Mr. Viveen joined the Board in 2024. Mr. Don and Ms. Mintman were appointed to the Board at the time of Vestar’s investment in 2023.

“I welcome Steve, Jennifer, and Bill to the Board. Their deep experience in foodservice and route-based facilities services will help us achieve our vision of becoming a premier commercial kitchen equipment repair services platform by providing an excellent customer experience from an outstanding team of technicians and employees,” said Dan Rodstrom, CEO of Tech24.

About Tech24

Tech24 is an industry leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, providing quick and comprehensive repair and preventive maintenance solutions for commercial refrigeration, cooking, beverage, and HVAC equipment. Founded in 1982 in Greenville, SC, Tech24 currently services more than 50 markets in 26 states with highly qualified service technicians. To learn more about Tech24, visit https://www.mytech24.com/.

Highland Commercial Roofing Acquires Fidelity Roof Company

BALDWIN PARK, Calif.April 11, 2024 — Highland Commercial Roofing (“Highland”), a market-leading commercial roofing service provider backed by HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”), today announced that it has acquired Fidelity Roof Company (“Fidelity”), a well-established, full-service roofing provider operating in the Northern California Bay Area. This is Highland’s second acquisition since HCI’s initial platform investment. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Based in Oakland California, Fidelity provides a full suite of roofing and building enclosure services to commercial, industrial, and other clients across a variety of end markets. Fidelity also specializes in complex, custom roofing projects, including sheet metal, copper, single-ply, and slate roofing systems, and has an established reputation for high quality craftsmanship and customer service.

“Fidelity has built a strong reputation in the industry for its commitment to superior craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and innovative roofing solutions,” said Rob Keen, President of Highland Commercial Roofing. “The combination of Fidelity and Highland will enable us to bring new and expanded resources and capabilities to better serve our employees and customers.”

Scott Gibaratz, Partner at HCI, said, “We commend the Fidelity team on the stellar business they have built over the past 75 years, and are excited by the milestone that this partnership represents in accelerating the growth of Highland, and expanding the platform. We welcome the talented Fidelity team to the platform and look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision for growth.”

Cruz-Abrams Seigel LLC served as legal counsel to Highland. TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners provided financing to support the investment. Fidelity Roof Company was advised by FMI Capital Partners, with Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP serving as legal counsel.

About Highland Commercial Roofing 
Since 1991, Highland Commercial Roofing has provided exceptional service and asset protection to major corporations and building owners throughout the Southwest. Highland specializes in the installation and maintenance of seamless, energy-efficient “Cool-Roof” RainShield® systems for commercial, industrial, office, and multi-family properties. For more information, please visit www.highlandroof.com.

About Fidelity Roof Company
Founded in 1948 and based in Oakland California, Fidelity provides a full suite of roofing and building enclosure services to commercial, industrial, and other clients across a variety of end markets for over 75 years. Fidelity also specializes in complex, custom roofing projects, including sheet metal, copper, single-ply, and slate roofing systems, and has an established reputation for high quality craftsmanship and customer service. For more information, please visit www.fidelityroof.com.

About HCI Equity Partners
HCI Equity Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing, and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  oridiancapital.com/.

HCI Named a 2024 Top 50 Private Equity Firm in the Middle Market for the Fourth Consecutive Year

WASHINGTON, DC, February 28, 2024 — HCI Equity Partners, a leading lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has been named one of Grady Campbell’s 2024 Top 50 Private Equity Firms in the Middle Market for the fourth consecutive year.

Founded in 2016, the Top 50 PE Firms in the Middle Market is designed specifically to acknowledge and promote leading small and mid-sized private equity firms in the middle market. The list recognizes firms that demonstrate excellent leadership, a strong track record and a trusted reputation with business owners.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the Top 50 PE Firms in the Middle Market for the fourth year in a row,” said Doug McCormick, Managing Partner at HCI. “HCI’s investment philosophy centers around not just providing capital, but also adding value through strategic insight and operational support to help our companies achieve their full potential. Our emphasis on collaboration and partnership resonates with founders and management teams and this award is a testament to our team’s hard work and the successful partnerships we’ve cultivated.”

For more information on Grady Campbell’s Top 50 PE Firms in the Middle Market Award Program, please visit https://gcipublishing.com/top-50-pe-firms.

*Disclaimer: Grady Campbell’s Top 50 PE Firms in the Middle Market award is a program designed by Grady Campbell. Small to mid-sized private equity firms are eligible to apply. Winning firms are selected based upon their volume of investment activity, firm policies and references from intermediaries, founders and advisors. HCI is not aware of the number of advisers surveyed for the award. HCI did not pay a fee to be considered for this award. This award is not to be construed as indicative of HCI’s future performance. This award represents information as of December 2023 and may not reflect important information related to an evaluation of the investment adviser which has occurred prior to, or subsequent to, the award.