Optimas Solutions will separate its global operations into two independent companies after agreeing to sell its international business to private equity firm Exponent, a move the fastener manufacturer and distributor said will sharpen regional focus and speed decision-making for customers and suppliers.
Under the agreement, Optimas Solutions will continue operating across North and South America, while a newly formed Optimas International will serve customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific from headquarters in Gloucester, United Kingdom. The Americas business will remain based in Wood Dale, Ill.
The transaction is expected to close before the end of the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and completion of employee consultation processes.
CEO Daniel Harms said the move formalizes an operating shift that began in 2020, when Optimas began decentralizing its global structure in response to supply chain disruptions and rising customer expectations for localized service.
“Supply chains today must be agile and resilient,” Harms said in a statement. “We will remain a globally connected, regionally focused company that is well positioned to adapt to our changing customer needs. This event facilitates faster decision making, greater service flexibility and more effective responses to local market and customer needs.”
Separation comes as many industrial suppliers and distributors reconfigure operations to reduce reliance on centralized global models following years of pandemic-related disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and transportation constraints.
Optimas said customers and suppliers in the Americas will see no changes to day-to-day contacts, leadership teams, or operational processes. Distribution networks, manufacturing capabilities, and value-added services will remain in place, and global customers served jointly by both businesses will continue to be supported through coordinated execution.
The company said the stand-alone structure will allow the Americas business to invest more aggressively in manufacturing, logistics and digital capabilities aimed at improving forecasting, inventory management and delivery performance for industrial original equipment manufacturers, tier suppliers, and distributors.
Optimas described manufacturing as a key differentiator as it works to improve quality, consistency and speed for customers that rely on engineered fasteners and other C-class components to keep production lines running.
Harms said the separation also will allow the company to deepen supplier collaboration through more focused regional forecasting and planning.
“Supplier relationships are foundational to Optimas and our industrial manufacturing customers,” he said. “As a stand-alone business, we are able to invest more deliberately in those partnerships while creating long-term growth opportunities.”
Optimas said it expects the Americas business to emerge from the transaction “more operationally advanced, financially stronger and focused on value creation,” with plans for both organic growth and acquisitions.
The company cited goals that include broader industry diversification, expanded digital automation, supply chain network optimization and targeted investments aligned with customer needs.
Optimas Solutions provides fasteners, inventory management, engineering and quality services to industrial OEMs, tier partners, and distributors across North and South America. Its offerings support customers that depend on tightly managed supply chains for high-volume, low-cost components essential to manufacturing operations.
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