Trinity Hunt Partners has entered the HVAC distribution sector with the launch of a new national platform, following a majority investment in Blackhawk Supply.
The Dallas-based private equity firm said the move marks its first foray into the HVAC distribution market and is part of a broader strategy to consolidate a fragmented industry through a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2015, Blackhawk Supply is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and operates under two brands: Blackhawk Supply and Midwest Supply. The company distributes HVAC, building automation, electrical, and plumbing components to contractors, facilities managers, and end users nationwide, primarily through ecommerce channels. According to Trinity Hunt, Blackhawk has built a diverse customer base spanning both residential and commercial sectors.
To lead the new distribution platform, Trinity Hunt has appointed Troy Vellinga as chief executive officer and Jason Lewis as chief development officer. Vellinga previously served as CEO of American Equipment Holdings, where he oversaw 19 acquisitions in three years. Lewis most recently held the position of Vice President of Corporate Development at TurnPoint Services, an HVAC, and facilities services platform, where he played a key role in more than 50 acquisitions.
“We are excited to build upon Blackhawk’s impressive track record of growth,” said Garrett Greer, partner at Trinity Hunt Partners, in a company statement. “There is a tremendous opportunity to scale quickly in this industry, through both M&A and value creation initiatives that drive efficiency across the broader HVAC supply chain.”
Greer said Blackhawk’s ecommerce-focused model and expansive parts catalog provide a competitive edge in meeting increasing demand for digital procurement solutions across HVAC and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) markets.
In a separate statement issued by Trinity Hunt, Vellinga said, “Our goal is to build a best-in-class distribution platform that delivers differentiated value for customers, suppliers, and team members. We’ll uphold the core values of our partner companies while supporting accelerated growth.”
The investment comes at a time of heightened private equity interest in the HVAC and building services distribution space, where consolidation and digital transformation are reshaping customer expectations and operating models. Trinity Hunt said it is actively evaluating additional acquisition opportunities to expand the platform across the U.S., with a focus on distributors of HVAC and related facility products that share similar values and growth potential.
Trinity Hunt Partners currently manages over $2 billion in assets and specializes in scaling founder- and entrepreneur-led companies in the business services, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
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