Why This Matters to Distributors: The ownership change positions Motion & Control Enterprises for further acquisitions after eight years of expansion that included 27 purchases and built a network of 50 U.S. locations.
Bertram Capital has acquired industrial distributor Motion & Control Enterprises LLC from Frontenac, with plans to expand its products, services and geographic reach through acquisitions and growth in its existing operations.
Financial terms were not disclosed. CEO Charley Hale and the existing management team will remain with the company and retain an ownership stake.
Based in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Motion & Control Enterprises employs more than 700 people and serves more than 25,000 customers through 50 U.S. locations. The company distributes motion systems, flow control and rotating equipment products and provides engineering, inventory management and repair services.
Frontenac, a Chicago-based private equity firm, formed the company in 2018 through its acquisition of RitterTech. Motion & Control Enterprises completed 27 acquisitions during Frontenac’s ownership, broadening its product offerings, adding repair capabilities and expanding its geographic coverage.
“Over the past eight years, we have built MCE into a trusted technical partner for our customers and suppliers, adding capabilities through strategic acquisitions along the way,” Hale said.
Bertram said it would support further acquisitions and internal growth. The distributor also will have access to Bertram Labs, the firm’s technology team, which provides ecommerce, digital marketing, data analytics and software development services.
Motion & Control Enterprises works with approximately 850 suppliers across three business segments: motion systems, flow control, and rotating equipment and controls. Its services include application engineering, repair and vendor-managed inventory, through which it helps manage customers’ stock levels.
The deal is Bertram’s seventh platform investment through its fifth fund. Ares and Antares provided debt financing.
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