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By Adam Burroughs
Tower International Inc. is set to be acquired by Autokiniton Global Group in a deal valued at $900 million.
Local Deals Detroit
July 12, 2019
Analytics, Not Your Gut, Are Best Judge Of Management
To figure out who’s the right fit for post-acquisition management, Tim Kardish relies not on gut instinct, but contemporary tools designed to assess the skillset, expertise and adaptability of the leadership team.
July 11, 2019
Kennametal to close Westmoreland County facility with restructuring
Kennametal Inc. plans to close its manufacturing facility in Irwin, Pennsylvania, as well as two manufacturing facilities and a distribution center in Germany. The restructuring actions should facilitate a simplified and leaner structure, while further positioning the company for long-term profitable growth.
July 10, 2019
At DNS Capital, Management Talent Drives Investment
The family office for Gigi Pritzker and Michael Pucker follow Jay Pritzker's mantra of investing in exceptional management teams to drive success, says Elizabeth Browne, the firm's head of business development.
July 10, 2019
Will Culture Eat Your M&A Strategy For Lunch?
To get the most out of any deal, leaders must be on the same page, must deliver consistent messages that are repeated, writes Dix & Eaton CEO Chas Withers in his latest Insider column. They then must be willing to shape strategy around the organic element of culture — not vice versa.
July 10, 2019
Rachel Angel Preps Peerro For Growth
Founder Rachel Angel discusses how she wants to grow Peerro by helping create stronger employment connections between companies and young adults.
July 10, 2019
Green Growth Brands combines with MXY Holdings
Green Growth Brands Inc. has agreed to create a new Ontario limited partnership with MXY Holdings LLC, among others, where GGB will acquire the issued and outstanding units of Moxie in an all-equity interest transaction for around $310 million. The plan is to create the first 360-degree cannabis company.
July 9, 2019
Navigator Management Partners purchased by Avaap
Avaap has acquired Columbus-based Navigator Management Partners, a cross-platform management and technology consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, business intelligence and change management. The strategic acquisition expands the Edison, New Jersey, firm’s capabilities.
July 9, 2019
Planning Is Timeless; So Is Change
Sequoia Financial Group's Tom Haught and Cohen & Co.'s Randy Myeroff talk about the value provided and the risks that need to be considered when planning for M&A activity.
July 9, 2019
Don Nystrom On Dealmaking Pitfalls
Don Nystrom, CEO of Dynamic Aerospace and Defense, shares his insights into the common mistakes to avoid in the dealmaking process.
July 8, 2019
Get your house in order long before a sale
Gordon & Rees Scully Mansukhani partner Craig Heryford discusses what business owners need to do to have their company ready to sell — before an offer comes in the door.
July 8, 2019
Find Investors Who Fit Your Startup's Business Model
It often takes some time for early-stage entrepreneurs to learn the value of authenticity in their pitches to investors. That has certainly been the case for Laura Adiletta and Cullen Naumoff, co-founders of Farm Fare.
July 3, 2019
Carl Grassi: Keys To Better Dealmaking
McDonald Hopkins Chairman Carl Grassi shares some of the key issues he thinks business owners need to factor into their approach to dealmaking.
July 3, 2019
Zebra Technologies Keeps $4 Billion Business Growing With M&A
Dealmaking has played a key role in Zebra Technologies becoming a $4.2 billion company and will continue to be critical to the company’s growth, says CFO Olivier Leonetti.
July 2, 2019
Buying in a frenzied market
PNC Mezzanine Capital's Doug Brosius Brosius shares his insights into what is driving these high valuations and how they are impacting his approach to deals.
July 2, 2019
Alliance Data completes Epsilon sale
Alliance Data plans to use the net sale proceeds to repurchase shares and pay down corporate debt.
July 2, 2019
Fairmount's Charles Robins: The algorithm and alchemy of tech startups
Tech company valuations are based on wholly different ideas, a collection of measurements and assessments that are as much alchemy as they are algorithm.
July 2, 2019
Finance Fund plays vital investment role in local communities
Finance Fund connects underserved communities in Ohio with public and private sources of capital to improve access to healthy food, health care service, education and affordable housing.
July 1, 2019
Century Therapeutics gets $250M in funding
The funding from Bayer, Versant and Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics will allow Century to move multiple programs into clinical development for hematologic and solid malignancies.
July 1, 2019
Fisher Building Owners Close On $36M Refi Loan
The deal provides New York-based HFZ Capital and The Platform, a private development firm in Detroit, with money to knock out prior debt on the building, according to a statement on the UC Funds website, clearing the way for preservation work.
July 1, 2019
Machine Learning startup LifeWhere purchased by Resideo
The Austin, Texas-based company plans to use the startup to expand its remote monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities.
July 1, 2019
Huron Capital Leverages Growing Number Of Independent Sponsors
Independent sponsors are a growing part of the M&A landscape, and Detroit’s Huron Capitalis taking advantage of the deal opportunities they provide, says Gretchen Perkins, business development partner.
July 1, 2019
H. Jack’s Plumbing’s John Langer: Culture Is Key In Service Acquisitions
H. Jack’s Plumbing President John Langer talks about the role acquisitions can play in helping companies in the service industry maintain their reputation for top-notch customer satisfaction.
June 28, 2019
Livongo Health files for IPO
The startup — co-founded by Chicago entrepreneur Glenn Tullman, former CEO of AllScripts — is expected to attain a valuation of more than $1 billion.
June 28, 2019
Michael Araten: When PE backing isn’t about the money
How former K'NEX CEO Michael Araten chose the best private equity partner to back his international expansion — before his business became collateral damage in the Toys 'R' Us bankruptcy and was sold.
June 28, 2019
Guaranteed Rate’s Victor Ciardelli: Don't Panic When A Deal Goes Bad
Guaranteed Rate founder Victor Ciardelli talks about the steps he takes to avoid difficult acquisitions and the important role culture plays in determining the success of a deal.
June 28, 2019
Raising Capital: Three Things Every Investor Wants To Know
When you’re an investor being asked to provide millions of dollars in capital to a growing business, you want a lot of details about how that money will be used.“I would bet 90 percent of the
June 27, 2019
Highmark to sell Visionworks to VSP
VSP Global has agreed to acquire San Antonio-based Visionworks, which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Highmark.
June 27, 2019
Be Sure You Can Manage Your Capital Before You Take It
Competition is strong among financial institutions engaged in M&A activity, which creates risk for companies looking to make a deal, says says Richard C. Hampson, state president and head of commercial banking at Citizens Bank, Michigan.
June 26, 2019
StockX Attains Unicorn Status After Record Michigan VC Raise
The company also hired eBay executive Scott Cutler as its new CEO, succeeding co-founder Josh Luber, who will continue to serve on the executive leadership team and board.
June 26, 2019
Aggressive buyers fast-track due diligence in seller’s market
It’s a seller’s market, and large strategic buyers are being very aggressive — in some cases, short-cutting due diligence processes, says Wade Kozich, senior advisor with boutique investment bank Footprint Capital and senior director at GBQ Partners.
June 25, 2019
Cameo Closes $50M Series B Round
Funds from the new round, led by Kleiner Perkins, will be used for platform enhancements and an expansion of the company's U.S. and international footprint.
June 25, 2019
For Stonewood's Kenn Moritz, patience, flexibility drive success
The PE firm's president talks about the importance of staying flexible during dealmaking and why the fewer owners in a deal, the better.
June 24, 2019
Gores Forms JV To Redevelop Palace Of Auburn Hills Land
Schostak Brothers will serve as the lead partner and manage the future mixed-use development, which is expected to include corporate office, research & development and technology companies. The Palace was the home of Detroit’s NBA franchise from 1988 to 2017.
June 24, 2019
Focus M&A Negotiations On The Critical Issues
Without clear priorities, M&A professionals often flounder by attempting to maximize results along every dimension, writes Mark A. Filippell. This bogs down purchase agreement negotiations as every issue becomes a deal-breaker and reasonable trade-offs cannot be made.
June 21, 2019
Philadelphia ASPIRE Dealmakers Event Photos
The Philadelphia 201 Hotel was the site of Philadelphia's biggest CEO-focused M&A conference on June 12. Check out the event photos.
June 21, 2019
Marc Kramer: What early-stage CEOs need from their angels
Marc Kramer, whose Angel Venture Fair has helped 2,000 companies around the world connect to U.S. angel investors, discusses a few issues that can cause partnerships to get lost in translation.
June 21, 2019
Selling an ESOP: How Remington Products Sold To Private Equity
We take an inside look at how CEO Rhonda Newman worked with investment bank Cascade Partners to sell the ESOP company to Gridiron Capital.
June 20, 2019
Compass Self Storage adds to Florida presence with Largo deal
The newest Compass self-storage center has more than 98,000 net rentable square feet and offers a mix of climate and non-climate drive-up units.
June 20, 2019
Former Westinghouse Nuclear headquarters campus purchased
Next Tier Connect has acquired a 505,000 square-foot mixed-use campus in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, which served as the former Westinghouse Nuclear headquarters. The property is the first acquisition of a national portfolio that should include select real estate and mission critical properties.
June 20, 2019
UPMC Enterprises invests in its own disruption
Officially created five years ago to create health care innovations that improve the lives of patients in meaningful ways, UPMC Enterprises encompasses the $130 million a year that UPMC lays out for corporate venture investments and R&D.
June 20, 2019
James Tolston’s handshake deal pays off big
How the Detroit entrepreneur took a handshake deal to build North American Assemblies and then buy it from 14 stockholders — 13 of whom didn't want to sell.
June 20, 2019
2019 Chicago Dealmaker Of The Year Awards
The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference brought together hundreds of dealmakers, investors and entrepreneurs at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago on June 19. During the conference, Smart Business Dealmakers recognized a few top deals and dealmakers in the Chicago region.
June 19, 2019
Capital One buys Detroit online luxury retailer Jewel
The bank holding company says the acquisition of the online luxury retailer will add to its efforts to develop tools that help customers make smarter financial decisions.
June 19, 2019
Axalta Coating System considers sale to maximize shareholder value
The supplier of liquid and powder coatings says its board has initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.
June 19, 2019
Non-control Capital Offers Liquidity Option For Family-Held Companies
Many family-held businesses don't realize there are minority investors out there, says Nicholas Stone, managing director at Cyprium Partners.
June 19, 2019
For Allison Finkelstein, cap tables play critical role in investing
Startup founders should focus on how to achieve reasonable growth to get the next round of funding, the experience angel investor says.
June 18, 2019
Ohio Transmission Corp. buys Wisconsin, Minnesota companies
Furey Filter & Pump and PSI Engineering will continue to operate under their current names and with current management, including President George Furey and Vice President Jack Furey.
June 18, 2019
Crate and Barrel Buys Hudson Grace
Founded in 2012 by veteran retailers Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton, Hudson Grace is known for modern tabletop and entertaining products evoking the coastal California lifestyle.
June 18, 2019
Keys to developing a strong capital structure
Candlewood Partners founder Glenn Pollack discusses restructuring transactions, building strong capital structures and the risk of selling to private equity.
June 14, 2019
Brett Lindsey: Inside Everstream's Sale to AMP Capital
After receiving 16 bids, Everstream CEO Brett Lindsey completed a deal in September 2018 to sell the fiber network for more than $330 million to a surprising buyer: Australia’s AMP Capital. Here’s an inside look at how the deal got done and Lindsey’s takeaways from the process.
June 14, 2019
2019 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
During the ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference on June 12, Smart Business Dealmakers recognized some of the top deals and dealmakers in the Philadelphia region.
June 14, 2019
Balfour Beatty buys second Memphis multifamily community
The 300-unit community, which is in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett, consists of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes.
June 13, 2019
Cedar Fair buys Texas water parks, resort for $261 million
Cedar Point's owner is set to acquire two Schlitterbahn water parks in Texas in an all-cash transaction, and has reserved the right to acquire a shuttered Kansas City water park.
June 13, 2019
Accel Entertainment Bought By PE Firm TPG
TPG Pace Holdings Corp., the acquiring entity, will retain the Accel Entertainment name and will be a publicly listed company focusing on gaming-as-a-service.
June 13, 2019
Liberty Steel Buys Johnstown Wire Technologies
The transaction expands Liberty’s footprint in the U.S. steel downstream products market and adds to its ability to meet the Made in America specifications required for public infrastructure and utility contracts.
June 13, 2019
Bain Sells Impact Fitness to Morgan Stanley Capital Partners
Impact Fitness operates 29 Planet Fitness clubs across Michigan, Indiana, British Columbia and Ontario. It was founded by Chris Klebba in 2006 with the opening of the first Planet Fitness club in the Greater Detroit market.
June 13, 2019
Cellar Tech's Jim Rose: Selling is a painful process
The founder of the oil and gas industry business knew he needed help moving his company forward. But nothing prepared him for what's involved in selling a business.
June 13, 2019
Hickory Farms CEO Diane Pearse's keys to successful dealmaking
Hickory Farms CEO Diane Pearse talks about gaining dealmaking expertise and the best strategies to follow when your company is being targeted by potential buyers and/or investors.
June 13, 2019
Hyundai invests in Aurora as part of $600M+ Series B Round
Aurora’s existing partner Hyundai Motor Group has invested in Aurora as part of its Series B financing round. The self-driving technology startup now raised more than $700 million to develop Aurora Driver, strengthen its team and acquire cutting-edge technology.
June 13, 2019
Woodward Angels Ready To Spark Entrepreneurial Growth
Lauren Hoffman of Woodward Angels and Tim Parker of Grand Angels talk about their effort to make connections and spark more early-stage entrepreneurial growth in Southeast Michigan.
June 12, 2019
Spring Labs Raises $23M in Series A Funding for Auto Loan Blockchain Work
The round was led by GreatPoint Ventures out of San Francisco with significant participation from existing investors, including August Capital, as well as GM Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Detroit’s General Motors.
June 12, 2019
Family offices grow in number and sophistication
Private banker Reese Fields discusses how family offices operate, including balancing privacy with connecting to potential investments.
June 11, 2019
Dale Buckwalter on buying and selling companies with high valuations
3 Rivers Capital co-founder Dale Buckwalter shares his thoughts on how to make returns in the current market of high valuations.
June 11, 2019
Wolfe family sells four broadcast properties for $535M
The Dispatch Broadcast Group has agreed to sell two television stations — Columbus CBS affiliate WBNS and Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR — as well as sports radio station, WBNS Radio, to Virginia-based TEGNA Inc. for $535 million in cash. TEGNA sees the acquisitions as an excellent strategic and financial fit.
June 10, 2019
Aptar acquires Nanopharm and Gateway Analytical
AptarGroup has acquired two pharmaceutical services companies for a combined value of approximately $50 million. The acquisitions are part of the Crystal Lake company’s strategy to broaden its portfolio of services.
June 10, 2019
How To Get Multiple Bites of the Apple
R. Louis Schneeberger, who has played a lead role in more than 100 acquisitions and the sale of more than 30 companies, looks at key considerations for how to sell your company multiple times.
June 10, 2019
TPC Wire & Cable buys EZ Form Cable
The acquisition is intended to strengthen TPC’s position as a diversified supplier of high-performance wire and cable solutions to specialized, high-cost-of-failure environments.
June 10, 2019
SeventySix Capital’s Wayne Kimmel leverages social capital of athletes to rise above noise
SeventySix Capital Managing Partner Wayne Kimmel discusses how celebrity can help investors and startups stand out in a noisy media landscape to create opportunities for all parties involved.
June 7, 2019
Cars.com Keeps An Open Mind When It Comes To M&A
Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Gold talks about the company’s M&A strategy and some of the challenges that come up in the effort to get deals done.
June 7, 2019
Trevco Acquires California Print-on-demand Company
Trevco works with licensors such as Warner Bros., Hasbro and Paramount Pictures to manufacture consumer products and create digital e-commerce campaigns.
June 7, 2019
John Paul DeJoria buys Former McDonald’s HQ Site
The entrepreneur will assume ownership of the 80-acre site that includes the McDonald’s former campus office building, Hamburger University training facility and The Hyatt Lodge.
June 7, 2019
Drips Ponders Best Path To Continued Growth, Liquidity
Co-founder and CEO A.C. Evans talks about lessons learned building a business without outside investors, and why it may be time to change that approach.
June 6, 2019
Braxton Miller learns the Xs and Os of investing
Braxton Miller isn’t just putting time in on a football field these days. He’s turned to business — investing in and endorsing several brands.
June 6, 2019
Industrial Scientific to buy Intelex for $570M
The acquisition of Intelex is the largest in the history of EHSQ pureplay vendors and one of the top five largest Canadian technology company exits in the last decade.
June 6, 2019
Arsenal’s Maria Thompson: Investors Want Businesses That Solve Problems
Investors aren’t looking for unique business opportunities, says Arsenal venture partner Maria Thompson. They want business models that solve problems, preferably big ones.
June 5, 2019
Quantum Health’s Kara Trott on raising capital without losing control
How the CEO of the health care company brought on three rounds of investors, while keeping control of the business she founded.
June 4, 2019
Boeing HorizonX Ventures invests in drone servicer Robotic Skies
This deal builds on a previously announced collaboration with Robotic Skies, Boeing Global Services and its subsidiaries to provide enhanced commercial unmanned aircraft system services.
June 4, 2019
Revolution Enterprises Completes HempVet Acquisition
HempVet is a national brand in the pet product market with more than 35 years of product development experience and an online and national retail distribution footprint.
June 4, 2019
Federated’s Chris Donahue expects active investing to only grow stronger
After buying the smaller Hermes Investment Management, the Federated Investors CEO quickly moved to adopt Hermes' investment strategy of factoring in environment, social and governance criteria.
June 4, 2019
Multifamily Real Estate Assets Prove Lucrative for Citymark Capital
The real estate investor is realizing healthy returns for investors from its platform that invests in value-add apartments with operating partners.
June 3, 2019
Aramark reportedly leveraged buyout target
Aramark is reportedly the target of a leveraged buyout by New York’s Mantle Ridge LP, which is rumored to be exploring the creation of a consortium with private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds to make an offer for the food services giant.
June 3, 2019
Frontage Holdings IPO debuts on Hong Kong exchange
Exton-based Frontage Holdings Corp., the parent company of Frontage Laboratories, a contract research organization specializing in R&D product development services, had its initial public offering on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
June 3, 2019
Quench acquires Aguaman
Quench has acquired substantially all of the assets of Aguaman, a point-of-use water filtration company based in Miami.
June 3, 2019
Prime Equipment Group Acquired In $65M Deal
The manufacturer of turnkey primary and water re-use solutions to the poultry industry was acquired by Chicago-based JBT Corp.
May 31, 2019
Hyland's acquisition strategy fuels march to $1B in sales
CEO Bill Priemer and M&A chief Justin Torkelson talk about the software company’s acquisition strategy and the role dealmaking has played in putting Hyland on the cusp of being a $1 billion business.
May 31, 2019
Dan Silberberg: Pick an M&A strategy and plan your exit
The founder at DIGINTEL taps his 45 years of experience of M&A experience to discuss M&A strategy and building a business architecture that's sellable.
May 30, 2019
RSM'S Mike Dingwall: Why You Need Professional Sell-Side Due Diligence
RSM's Mike Dingwall discusses sell-side strategies that can set you up for positive outcome in the sale of your business.
May 29, 2019
CapitalWorks takes majority stake in Libra Industries
As a leading EMS contract manufacturer serving the medical, aerospace and defense and industrial markets, Libra will complement fellow contract manufacturer GEMCITY Engineering and Manufacturing, a 2017 CapitalWorks investment.
May 29, 2019
Beam Dental raises $55M Series D round
The fast-growing dental benefits provider raised a Series D round led by Toronto PE firm, Georgian Partners. Columbus-based Drive Capital, which was involved in two previous funding rounds, participated in the latest capital raise as well.
May 29, 2019
Medical device maker EPIC Extremity bought by Exactech
The deal continues the relationship between the designer of screw and plating systems for the foot and ankle and Exactech, which had been distributing EPIC's products for the last year.
May 29, 2019
Super C Group buys 190 salons from Regis
The salons being sold and refranchised are currently branded as Famous Hair, Best Cuts, Fiesta Salons, First Choice Haircutters and BoRics Hair Care. They will be converted to Supercuts and Cost Cutters over the next several months.
May 29, 2019
PEAK6 Acquires Seattle-based Evil Geniuses
New acquisition maintains a roster of popular gaming titles including “Dota 2,” “Call of Duty,” “Rocket League,” “Fortnite” and “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.”
May 29, 2019
Ryan and Hoa McManus go full throttle with microtransit startup SHARE
After quietly raising $5 million, the microtransit business is expanding into Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis and Dallas, with more cities on the way.
May 28, 2019
Chicago: The Food Industry Hub of America
Four of Chicago’s top food industry players will take center stage at the ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference on June 19th to take a deep dive into how the region’s F&B companies continue to attract capital, grow at lightning speed, and feast on the competition.
May 28, 2019
How to set up the right capital structure for each acquisition
Andrew Wiechkoske has never had the unfortunate experience of having a deal fall apart at or near the finish line, even though he’s worked at PNC since 2008 and completed more than $1 billion
May 28, 2019
In Business It’s Hard To Keep A Secret — A Complete Secret
When exploring the sale of your company, is it better to “deny, deny, deny” or employ a “don’t tell, don’t ask” policy?
May 24, 2019
Gilbert completes sale of Greektown Casino for $1B
VICI Properties bought the land and real estate assets of the property for about $700 million, while Penn National Gaming bought the operating assets for about $300 million.
May 24, 2019
Aurora acquires lidar company Blackmore
The Pittsburgh-based startup picked up a company with valuable expertise in light detection and ranging radar, or lidar, that its self-driving car technology.
May 24, 2019
Chris McKenna: How to get the most value from selling your business
The Carleton McKenna managing partner talks about pre-transaction strategy and how it can lead to a more lucrative exit for the seller.
May 23, 2019
Phil Alexander: Give Potential Investors A Reason To Believe
The founder of ConceptDrop and Nexus A.I. talks about the role personality can play in making better connections with potential investors.
May 23, 2019
Pittsburgh deal activity hit new high in 2018
The 340 publicly announced deals in 2018 upends the previous record of 308 back in 2007, which was the first year the Allegheny Conference began tracking the 10-county region’s economic data.
May 23, 2019
A good M&A strategy starts with a compelling story
M&A advisor Joseph Valentic explains why a good M&A strategy starts with a good story, but also needs a solid team and attention to detail.
May 22, 2019
NASCAR Buying ISC, Michigan International Speedway In $2B Deal
Acquisition will give the auto racing sanctioning and operating company control of more than a dozen raceways, including Michigan International Speedway.
May 22, 2019
Stonehenge's Peter Davies: How to buy in a peak market
The managing partner of Stonehenge Partners shares his approach to buying with multiples approaching a peak, and how buying strategies have changed in the current environment.
May 21, 2019
Diamond Kinetics swings for the fences with sensor technology
CEO C.J. Handron talks about how he brought Diamond Kinetics from the lab to the ball diamond with the help of Pittsburgh’s early-stage community.
May 21, 2019
Five Mistakes To Avoid When Preparing To Sell
Going through the M&A process can prove time-consuming and difficult. Achieving success requires a timeline and strategic planning while making sure that key advisers are part of the process.
May 21, 2019
Ancora’s Brian Hopkins: Relationships Fuel Dealmaking Activity
The Ancora managing director talks about the role relationship-building plays in his dealmaking activity and the value of maintaining discipline.
May 20, 2019
Nationwide, State Auto Labs Invest In Virtual Claims Firm
Snapsheet, a provider of cloud-based insurance claims services, has closed $29 million in Series E funding led by Seattle-based Tola Capital.
May 20, 2019
Snapsheet Closes $29M in Series E Funding
The round was led by Seattle-based Tola Capital with participation from new investors Nationwide and State Auto Labs in Columbus and Memphis-based Sedgwick.
May 20, 2019
Clinc raises $52 million Series B round to scale AI platform
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Clinc, which is developing a conversational AI platform, has raised a $52 million Series B, with investments from Drive Capital, Insight Partners, DFJ Growth, Hyde Park Venture
May 20, 2019
RE2 Robotics gets $3M from Office of Naval Research
RE2 Robotics, a developer of humanlike robotic manipulator arms in Pittsburgh, has received $3 million in funding from the Office of Naval Research to develop a dexterous, underwater robotic hand with tactile feedback.
May 20, 2019
Huron-backed Pueblo Makes Fourth Add-On Acquisition
Huron Capital acquired Pueblo in December 2017 to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the commercial HVAC market in the southwestern U.S.
May 19, 2019
Meet Chicago's Middle-Market M&A Experts
The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference is headed to the Palmer House Hilton on June 19. This daylong event brings together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and advisers to take part in dynamic panel discussions and one-on-one networking.
May 17, 2019
Green Growth Brands raises $45M, closes Nevada deal
In addition to raising the general operating funds, the company completed its $13.4 million acquisition of a Pahrump, Nev., cultivation facility, its second in the state.
May 17, 2019
Signal's Marc Kiven: An entrepreneur's approach to dealmaking
The founder of the groundbreaking digital marketing company talks about what he looks for in an investment opportunity and how he sets the stage for the company’s future.
May 17, 2019
Blue Olive’s Ed Weinfurtner takes hands-on approach to investing
Ed Weinfurtner is a dealmaker who likes to get his hands dirty. If the company is being marketed for sale or has a book that pitches the acquisition opportunity, he’s not interested. “I’m trying to find a diamond in the rough,” he says.
May 16, 2019
Ed Wethli: Kiva Han-Crazy Mocha deal took time to brew
A year into the Crazy Mocha acquisition, the benefits of the deal are finally falling into place for the coffee roaster that wanted a growing retail empire.
May 16, 2019
PlanetM Awards More Than $440K In Grants To Five Mobility Startups
PlanetM Mobility Grants also provide aid to mobility startups and corporations to test, validate and prove out new technologies on Michigan roadways
May 15, 2019
How to plan a successful recapitalization strategy
Recapitalization — the process of changing a company’s capital structure through the issuance of new debt or equity securities — is a popular way to fund acquisitions, growth strategies, partner
May 15, 2019
Ohio State builds momentum for innovation district development
For years, the future of The Ohio State University west campus has been up in the air. That’s changing with the first three buildings planned for an eventual innovation district.
May 14, 2019
Industrial Commercial Properties buys former Sears distribution center
Cleveland-based Industrial Commercial Properties LLC has acquired a 570,000-square-foot, former Sears distribution center on 42.8 acres, in the Columbus suburb of Groveport. This is ICP's fourth Sears property purchase since 2014.
May 14, 2019
Three Rivers Packaging purchased by The Cary Company
The McKees Rocks company, which initially focused on the sale of new and reconditioned steel drums, has evolved to become the area’s leading IBC re-bottler/reconditioner.
May 14, 2019
Pipeline Angels: Driving change in Detroit’s angel investor community
Kerry Ann Rockquemore and Pipeline Angels bring needed guidance to help young entrepreneurs shape their vision and target markets that offer a better chance for success.
May 14, 2019
M&A Outlook: Transactions Can Prepare You For Future Change
The speed of change is relentless, and M&A has proved to be an effective means to move quickly to gain competitive advantage or defend against future disrupters.
May 13, 2019
British retailer to buy Certified Oil convenience stores, gas stations
EG Group will acquire Certified Oil and its 69 convenience stores and gas stations. The transaction will be an important step in building out the U.K.-based company's U.S. strategy.
May 13, 2019
M&A Outlook: Steel Service Centers
Industry players are looking for acquisitive growth, targeting value-added processing as a way to enhance margin and better navigate demand volatility, investment bank Brown Gibbons Lang reports.
May 10, 2019
Wisr's Kate Volzer: Networking Makes Anything Possible For Your Startup
Kate Volzer, co-founder and CEO at Wisr, talks about her entrepreneurial journey that began as a student at the University of Chicago.
May 9, 2019
Compass Self Storage acquires 17th unit in Atlanta
Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired a self storage center in Buford, Georgia, which represents the 17th Compass Self Storage location in the Greater Atlanta area and its 89th location nationwide.
May 9, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photos
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel was the site of Northeast Ohio biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on May 2. Check out 100+ photos from the event.
May 9, 2019
Charles Huebner Digs Deep To Make Investments Deals Work For Clients
The founder of Pointe Capital Management talks about the forces that drove the launch of his investment management firm and the value of being a dealmaking sleuth.
May 8, 2019
Delta Energy’s Sheri Tackett: A tale of Two Sales
Sheri Tackett wasn’t prepared when she sold Delta Energy in 2012. When it came time to sell Delta Energy Services three years later, she didn’t make the same mistake twice.
May 8, 2019
GM In Talks To Sell Ohio Assembly Plant
Once closed, work could begin immediately to prepare the facility for production of electric vehicles developed by Cincinnati-based Workhorse Group.
May 7, 2019
GM Cruise Lands $1.15B In Funding From New, Existing Backers
The funding comes from a group comprised of institutional investors — including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. — and existing partners General Motors, SoftBank Vision Fund and Honda.
May 7, 2019
ASX Launches Seed Equity Round to Fund Air Travel Revolution
Proceeds will be used to help the aviation technology startup acquire key automotive EV technology, build a series of full-scale prototypes and initiate Federal Aviation Administration certification.
May 7, 2019
Yvonne Campos' Next Act Fund gives women seat at dealmaking table
Yvonne Campos is an accomplished businesswoman who built and sold a successful market research and strategy firm. In all her experiences, though, she was never asked to participate in a deal or invest
May 7, 2019
Federated Investors buying $14B in assets from PNC Financial Services
The proposed deal includes the reorganization of PNC’s family of liquidity, equity and fixed-income mutual funds into Federated funds; the acquisition of part of PNC’s separate account and separately managed account business; and the transition of a six-person international equity management team.
May 7, 2019
MCM's Mark Mansour: Stick To What You Know To Come Out Ahead
Mark Mansour was young, hungry and eager to establish his dealmaking credentials. Mal Mixon was an established entrepreneur who had already built a billion-dollar business at Invacare, but was always
May 6, 2019
Boston company acquires rights to Johnstown cannabis facility
Ohio Grown Therapies is building out its 32,000-square-foot cultivation and processing facility, which includes 15,000 square feet for two-tier cultivation and 7,500 square feet for processing.
May 3, 2019
Steven Santamaria: Getting To 'No' And Other Startup Secrets
The serial entrepreneur and CEO of Folio Photonics shares lessons learned from the business deals he’s made and explains why starting a business is a lot like going on vacation.
May 3, 2019
Cleveland Must Support Innovators To Drive Growth
If this region’s anchor institutions and large corporations are serious about economic development, they must partner with qualified entrepreneurs that can enable them to create, export and profit from locally developed innovation.
May 3, 2019
Mobility and technology are driving automotive M&A
EY's Brad Hehl assesses the dealmaking landscape in the automotive space and what lies ahead for M&A activity in 2019.
May 2, 2019
ANSYS acquires assets of Maryland software company DfR Solutions
ANSYS has acquired the assets of DfR Solutions, the Maryland developer of Sherlock, the industry’s only automated design reliability analysis software.
May 1, 2019
Competitor Calios buys D.P. Dough, but calzone chain brand remains
The owners of D.P. Dough, the nation’s largest calzone franchise and third largest college-focused restaurant chain, have agreed to sell the Columbus-headquartered company to Calios, a 13-unit competing calzone chain. Each Calios restaurant will convert to D.P. Dough, growing the brand from 26 restaurants to 43 by fall 2019.
May 1, 2019
Automated Packaging Systems bought for $510 million
The Streetsboro-based manufacturer of flexible bag packaging systems is being acquired by Sealed Air for $510 million on a cash and debt free basis.
May 1, 2019
Drive Capital closes $307M fund, while raising another
Drive Capital has closed its third flagship fund at $307 million and raised nearly $251 million for its first overdrive fund, according to SEC filings.
May 1, 2019
Denso leads $20M Series A funding round for micromobility startup
The world’s second-largest mobility supplier has taken a stake in Bond Mobility to help the world’s only speed eBike sharing company develop an urban transportation strategy.
May 1, 2019
Joe DeLoss nearly got burned before making Hot Chicken Takeover a success
From nearly missing payroll to expanding too quick, the founder survived missteps on the way to building one of the area's hottest fast-casual restaurant chains.
April 30, 2019
Life after selling your business will never be the same
Michael Krol, head of wealth advisory at Waldron Private Wealth, discusses post-sale changes that catch many business owners off guard.
April 30, 2019
TriMas buys Taplast, second Italian acquisition in 6 months
The move is the second Italian acquisition in the past six months for the Bloomfield Hills-based company as it seeks to accelerate the growth of its packaging platform.
April 30, 2019
In Raising Capital, Who Invests Is As Important As How Big The Check Is
The serial entrepreneur and CEO of SPR Therapeutics talks about her process for raising capital, as well as the role non-dilutive capital has played in her fundraising formula.
April 29, 2019
Three Michigan health systems combine to build, operate $48M laundry facility
Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are collaborating in a major economic investment in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood.
April 25, 2019
How Don Nystrom Builds Dynamic Aerospace Through Acquisitions
The CEO explains how he found a company that wasn’t even on the market — and turned it into a great acquisition.
April 25, 2019
JumpStart's Cathy Belk: Plan Your Exit Before You Start Your Business
You can’t start a business these days without planning your way out.For early-stage entrepreneurs, thinking about a potential exit from the business starts before the company is even launched.“Many of
April 24, 2019
Kraft Heinz reportedly seeking buyer for Ore-Ida
CNBC says that the food giant is looking to sell off its Ore-Ida brand as it works to pay down debt and restructure its business.
April 24, 2019
Ford invests $500M in EV Truck Startup Rivian
Ford Motor Co. has made a $500 million equity investment in Plymouth-based Rivian and plans to use the company’s platform to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio.
April 24, 2019
OTC's Philip Derrow: On ESOPs, culture and getting good advice
Ohio Transmission CEO Phil Derrow, talks about the challenges of ESOPs, openness during transactions and two important rules when making deals.
April 24, 2019
Maitri gets a partner, property in Innovative Industrial Properties deal
IIP agreed to provide the Southwestern PA medical marijuana company reimbursement of up to $10 million to complete tenant improvements for the building.
April 23, 2019
Transwestern Investment buys three industrial buildings in Columbus
Dallas-based Transwestern Investment Group has acquired a 1.5 million-square-foot industrial portfolio in Southeast Columbus.
April 23, 2019
Honeycomb Credit expands crowd financing model beyond Pittsburgh
How CEO George Cook is blending crowd funding and community banking to change the way small businesses get loans.
April 23, 2019
TalentLaunch's Aaron Grossman eyes $1B business via acquisitions
The CEO talks about the role process and discipline will play in reaching the ambitious goal he has set for his growing stable of staffing firms.
April 19, 2019
Foundation’s David Wood: Understanding Seller’s Needs Drives Better Deals
Foundation Investment Partners' David Wood talks about making smart acquisitions and the discerning approach he takes to dealmaking.
April 19, 2019
Chris Rizik: Honesty Is The Best Policy When Pitching VCs
Chris Rizik shares his insight on how to make a better pitch to investors, as well as the growth opportunities that exist in Detroit’s VC community.
April 18, 2019
Ancora's DiSanto will keep pushing for change at J. Alexander’s
Ancora will continue pushing for change at J. Alexander's after the restaurant chain rejected the investor's takeover bid.
April 18, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photo Gallery
The Westin Book Cadillac was the site of Detroit's biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on April 11. The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference featured panel discussions with some of Detroit's top dealmakers, as well as extensive networking opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers who make deals happen in metro Detroit.
April 18, 2019
How valuation plays a critical role in dealmaking
Valuation work is never a one-size-fits-all proposition. It can be both quite varied and necessary for different business procedures.
April 18, 2019
Female founders on rise, as women-focused angel group disbands
Although X-Squared Angels disbanded at the end of last year as membership fizzled, early-stage and startup female founders appear to be on the rise. We talk to Cindi Englefield and Mary McCarthy of the Women’s Small Business Accelerator.
April 17, 2019
Leon Rubinov on Incline Equity’s M&A strategy and value creation
Leon Rubinov doesn’t like to play favorites with Incline Equity Partners investments. “All our kids are cute,” the senior partner says. “We don’t love one any more than the other. They’re all special."
April 17, 2019
PPG completes Hemmelrath acquisition
PPG has completed its acquisition of German-based Hemmelrath, a manufacturer of coatings for automotive OEMs.
April 16, 2019
Capital-raising tips from a CEO who bagged $9 million in 90 days
XaTek CEO John Zak shares his approach to raising capital and the advantage of doing it all at once.
April 15, 2019
Green Growth Brands abandons hostile takeover bid
Green Growth Brands Inc. has ended its hostile takeover attempt of Aphria, with an agreement to accelerate the expiration of its offer on Aphria shares.
April 15, 2019
Aurora Plastics acquires Elastocon
Aurora Plastics has acquired compounder Elastocon TPE Technologies, expanding its product line and bringing broader TPE compounding capabilities to its portfolio.
April 15, 2019
Magic Plus acquires Michigan State Fairgrounds
Magic Johnson and Joel Ferguson's Magic Plus has closed its acquisition of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds property on Detroit's Woodward Avenue.
April 12, 2019
How to manage a portfolio after selling your business
Investing is a good way to stay in the game after you’ve sold your business. But the transition from business owner to ‘investor’ can be jarring if you don’t adjust your expectations.
April 12, 2019
NEO bioscience companies landed $294M in 2018
Dealmaking is hot in Northeast Ohio’s biomedical community, with 71 regional companies receiving $294 million in funding in 2018. BioEnterprise’s Aram Nerpouni explains how this dealmaking trend could become the “new normal.”
April 12, 2019
Nuspire to merge with Denver-based GBprotect
Nuspire is acquiring Denver’s GBprotect in a move intended to help both managed security services companies better respond to today’s evolving threat landscape.
April 12, 2019
Moreno all in on blockchain after selling 7 more dealerships
Bernie Moreno sold seven car dealership franchises last week, reinforcing his commitment to make Cleveland a central hub for blockchain technology.
April 11, 2019
Good Night Medical’s Alan Rudy beats the drum for integration
Before he closes any deal, Alan Rudy gets to work on his ‘integration checklist’ — a list of the hundreds of tasks his team will execute to ensure a smooth transition. Learn how the CEO puts integration front and center in every deal.
April 10, 2019
Astute lands investment from Boston PE firm
Astute Inc. has received an investment from the Boston’s Audax Private Equity. This will allow the builder of AI-driven customer engagement software to continue to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions.
April 10, 2019
Acquisition strategy: Have discipline, retain talent and avoid dishonest negotiators
Investor Lee Zapis shares tips for making better acquisitions, lessons learned from mistakes and the evolving role of culture in the dealmaking process.
April 9, 2019
Corporates join VCs to fill pipeline for Pittsburgh tech investment
Pittsburgh’s tech startups attract the lion’s share of funding and attention, says Innovation Works’ Gary Glausser. We spoke with him about trends in tech investing, including highlights from Investment in Pittsburgh’s technology sector report, and the upcoming the AI & Robotics Venture Fair.
April 9, 2019
PSI establishes Silicon Valley innovation hub with strategic investment
Proteam Solutions, an IT consulting and staffing firm, has invested in the San Francisco-based startup Akava. PSI will have access to Bay Area talent and resources through the software development studio.
April 5, 2019
Ray Dalton: Good opportunity doesn’t always mean good fit
Focus drives results and results attract buyers, says A. Ray Dalton. This week, Ray discusses his approach to identifying the right investment opportunity and the importance of finding ways for your team to win in the dealmaking process.
April 5, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz: Dealmaking is back in Detroit
The PE firm's co-founder explores the method that fuels his dealmaking productivity and the role Midwestern values play in the firm’s success.
April 5, 2019
Dan Gilbert's JACK Entertainment to sell Cincinnati casino, track
Hard Rock International will handle operations at both properties. VICI will own the land and will enter into triple-net leased fee agreement with Hard Rock International.
April 5, 2019
Rev1 Ventures hits $2B in economic impact in 6 years
In 2018 alone, Rev1 clients generated more than $123 million in revenue and attracted more than $157 million in capital to the region.
April 4, 2019
Kraft Heinz fund makes first investment
Evolv Ventures was part of a $25 million Series C round investment in GrubMarket, a farm-to-delivery food service.
April 3, 2019
MentorcliQ’s Phil George
CEO Phil George shares MentorcliQ’s growth story – which includes raising $5 million in capital — and offers his advice for other founders.
April 3, 2019
FNB’s Boyd Pethel: How to invest with a flat yield curve, low interest rates
The economy may be slowing, but there’s good news for investors who are worried about rising interest rates, says First National Bank’s Boyd Pethel.
April 2, 2019
Park Place now largest TPM in Europe with MCSA buy
Park Place Technologies has acquired MCSA Group Limited, a UK-based business-critical IT services and solutions provider, snagging all of MCSA's business to become the largest third-party maintenance provider in Europe.
April 2, 2019
Lear to buy Xevo in $320M deal
The $320 million deal will combine Seattle-based Xevo's e-commerce vehicle platform technology with Southfield-based Lear's expertise in electronic systems.
April 2, 2019
Norton Industries acquired by CertainTeed
This acquisition of the maker of wood ceiling and wall designs is intended to add to Malvern, Pa.-based CertainTeed's innovation capabilities and increase its presence in the high-growth architectural specialties ceilings market.
April 2, 2019
Preformed Line Products to acquire MICOS TELCOM
Preformed Line Products is set to acquire MICOS TELCOM s.r.o., as it positions itself to support emerging industry technologies like 5G, network densification, and metro fiber rings.
April 2, 2019
CertainTeed buys wood ceiling maker Norton Industries
This acquisition is intended to improve CertainTeed's presence in the high-growth architectural specialties ceilings market.
April 2, 2019
When selling a business, take talent development seriously
Sellers who pay lip service to talent development could be leaving millions of dollars on the table, says Solutions21’s Buddy Hobart. This week, Buddy explains why it’s past time for buyers and sellers to take talent development seriously.
April 1, 2019
Lincoln Electric buys Baker Industries
Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. has acquired Baker Industries Inc., a privately held provider of custom tooling, parts and fixtures primarily serving automotive and aerospace markets.
April 1, 2019
Fifth Eye raises $11.5M Series A round
The Ann Arbor-based medical device software company will used the funds to secure FDA clearance of of its first product, support clinical studies and enable commercial launch of the product.
April 1, 2019
Kellogg to sell Keebler, Famous Amos brands for $1.3B
Kellogg Co. is selling selected cookies, fruit and fruit-flavored snacks, pie crusts, and ice cream cones businesses to the global confectionary company Ferrero Group and its related companies for $1.3 billion in cash as it continues to refocus its brand portfolio.
April 1, 2019
ProBilt Services of Ohio acquired by Fontaine Modification
Truck upfitter ProBilt Services of Ohio, along with its 30,000 sq. ft. facility located less than half a mile from the Kenworth assembly plant in Chillicothe, has been acquired by Fontaine Modification.
April 1, 2019
Timken acquires Diamond Chain Co.
The Timken Co. has acquired The Diamond Chain Co. from Amsted Industries. With the acquisition, Timken's power transmission portfolio now accounts for roughly one-third of its revenues.
April 1, 2019
Strength Capital sells ARCH Global to NYC PE firm
CEO Eli Crotzer and the rest of the ARCH senior management team will continue operating the manufacturer of precision cutting tools, precision machined industrial components and medical implants and instruments.
April 1, 2019
Park National Corp., CAB Financial Corp. merge
Park National Corp. and CAB Financial Corp. have completed their merger, which folds CAB’s banking subsidiary in as a community banking division of The Park National Bank.
April 1, 2019
MGM completes Northfield Park acquisition
Following the $275 million transaction, MGM Resorts has rebranded the property as MGM Northfield Park.
April 1, 2019
First impressions matter when studying acquisition opportunities
The key to a successful acquisition is a well-planned, successful transition, achieved by working with the key customers, employees and suppliers to ensure that sales and operations continue smoothly.
March 29, 2019
How to value organizations in the wake of technology disruption
A look at the challenge of finding skilled workers for today’s highly automated environment, what investors should look for when evaluating companies and how involved investors should be in new technologies.
March 29, 2019
Chip McClure finds deals in unloved world of Tier 2, Tier 3 suppliers
By founding Michigan Capital Advisors, he has created a private equity firm that addresses the lack of access to capital that prevents suppliers from keeping up with customer demand and diversifying beyond the auto sector.
March 29, 2019
Nordson's Anne Pombier: Creating value through acquisitions
Before joining Nordson, Anne Pombier led or participated in more than 100 transactions ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 billion in size. Now she helps identify and pursue M&A targets that can create value for Nordson on a global basis.
March 28, 2019
BrewDog USA’s crowdfunding model raises awareness along with money
Former CEO Tanisha Robinson explains how crowdfunding payed a key role in the beer maker's whirlwind growth in the U.S.
March 28, 2019
4 reasons you need an M&A lawyer
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, dealmaking involves sharing some of your company’s most confidential information with the other side. Ulmer & Berne’s Howard Groedel explains how experienced legal counsel can guide you through the M&A process.
March 28, 2019
EmployStream gets $3.5 Series A bump
EmployStream has closed a $3.5 million Series A funding round that it will use to expand its product development, marketing and sales efforts as it looks to increase its footprint in the staffing industry.
March 27, 2019
Quick Med Claims' Michael J. Lewis: A CEO's approach to M&A
In four years, the CEO of Quick Med Claims has gone through two sales and initiated five acquisitions. Now, he’s interested in passing along that knowledge.
March 26, 2019
Investors press change at Bed, Bath & Beyond
Bed, Bath and Beyond is fending off a group of activist investors, concluding Cleveland's Ancora Advisors, demanding significant changes, including replacing both its CEO and its entire board.
March 26, 2019
Crane's Screen Machine acquires Diamond Z
Partnering the two material processing companies will help Screen Machine address the growing need for mobile material processing machines across a variety of industries.
March 26, 2019
'Merger of equals' will create $1.3B banking institution
ChoiceOne Financial Services, the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, and County Bank, the parent company of Lakestone Bank & Trust, are merging to form the 12th-largest bank holding company in Michigan.
March 26, 2019
University Lending Group buys assets of Huron Valley Financial
University Bancorp Inc. subsidiary University Lending Group has acquired certain assets of Huron Valley Financial Inc., a privately held mortgage banking firm also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 22, 2019
M&A due diligence: Understanding cost, risk and liability
There are no mergers of equals, says Howard & Howard’s Joseph DeVito, Esq. But effective due diligence can help your business get the best possible deal. Here’s what you need to know about cost, risk and liability when preparing for a merger.
March 22, 2019
BlueTree's big 2018: A unicorn, strong exits and new investors
It’s been an exciting and unprecedented year for Catherine Mott and BlueTree Capital, including her venture fund's first unicorn holding.
March 22, 2019
Driving foreign investment in Northeast Ohio: What’s next for EB-5?
The immigration/investment program that brought more than $250 million to Northeast Ohio to finance real estate projects faces an uncertain future,
March 21, 2019
BGL oversees Miller Environmental Group sale to PE firm
Brown Gibbons Lang & Co.'s Environmental & Industrial Services team served as the exclusive financial adviser in the sale of Miller Environmental Group Inc. to GenNx360 Capital Partners.
March 21, 2019
Huntington Tower is on the block
Akron’s tallest building is officially for sale. Huntington Tower, the home of Huntington Bank and 1,200 of its employees, has no asking price yet.
March 21, 2019
3-D startup Kaarta raises $6.5M
The developer of real-time mobile 3D reality capture raised the funds to accelerate the growth of its mobile mapping and localization technology.
March 21, 2019
In deal communications, play offense
The smoothest deals have one common denominator. They are driven by a thoughtful, reasoned approach to cohesive communication that will resonate with all those touched by the transaction.
March 21, 2019
2019 Dealmaker of the Year Awards
Recognizing the top deals and dealmakers in the Pittsburgh region.
March 20, 2019
Lubrizol expands natural, botanical offerings with acquisition of French supplier
The Lubrizol Corp. has acquired Laboratoire Phenobio, a French supplier of naturally-derived extracts and botanical active ingredients.
March 20, 2019
Horizon Global Corp. gets liquidity injection with $51M loan
Horizon Global Corp. has closed a new financing agreement to provide additional liquidity and has amended its existing term debt agreement to relax financial covenants.
March 20, 2019
Scotts Miracle-Gro dumps its stake in TruGreen for $234M
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has sold its 30 percent stake in TruGreen to the majority owner for approximately $234 million in a move to reduce debt and maximize shareholder value.
March 20, 2019
Budd Dairy Food Hall: Finding the next Cameron Mitchell
The new venture, backed by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, will help chefs grow their concepts and build their businesses.
March 19, 2019
Continental Services nabs Sterling Services for 5th acquisition in 18 months
Continental Services, Michigan’s largest food management company, has acquired Canton-based Sterling Services, creating Michigan’s largest founder-owned contract dining management company.
March 19, 2019
ACP-backed Pleatco buys APEL, Milton to expand air filtration services
Align Capital Partners portfolio company Pleatco Filtration has expanded into the industrial air filtration market with the acquisitions of APEL International and Milton Manufacturing.
March 19, 2019
MC Group continues aggressive growth strategy, acquires Coastal Signage + Wayfinding
MC Group has closed its second acquisition in just over year, announcing it has purchased Coastal Signage + Wayfinding, a full-service solutions provider based in Oceanside, California.
March 15, 2019
There is no ‘exit’ for restaurant investors
Investing in a restaurant sounds glamorous, doesn’t it? And that’s become truer as TV depicts chefs as rock stars. Veteran restauranteur Craig Barnum, who raised capital for his first restaurants more than 20 years ago, paints a different picture — one where there are no clear assets or exit timelines.
March 15, 2019
How to plan for a liquidity event
Whether you’re thinking about a liquidity event before you’ve launched your company, or the thought comes much later, there’s a lot to consider before you cash out.
March 15, 2019
Venture for America taps Cleveland for accelerator
Venture for America has selected Cleveland to host its national business accelerator targeting entrepreneurs that are recent college graduates, netting out competing proposals from Columbus and
March 15, 2019
Case licensee NervGen Pharma raises $7.5M in IPO
The Vancouver-based company, which has licensed regenerative medicine technology from Case Western Reserve University, said it plans to raise another $500,000 in a private placement.
March 14, 2019
Irwin Car’s Bill Baker: Find synergies in your acquisition strategy
After doing nearly 60 deals throughout his career, Bill Baker knows himself. He’s a niche strategist who looks to buy companies where one-and-one makes three.
March 14, 2019
TransDigm wraps up $4B Esterline deal
TransDigm Group Inc. has completed the acquisition of Esterline Technologies Corp., a specialized manufacturer serving the global aerospace and defense industries.
March 14, 2019
Incline Equity’s Continental Batteries gets a boost, buys Battery Sales & Service
Continental Batteries, a battery distributor and a portfolio company of Pittsburgh private equity firm Incline Equity Partners, is acquiring Battery Sales & Service in its sixth acquisition in just over seven months.
March 14, 2019
Ampco-Pittsburgh plans to sell ASW Steel
Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp. is set to sell its Canadian subsidiary, ASW Steel Inc. ASW, a specialty steel-making facility located in Welland, Ontario, has been classified as a discontinued operation
March 14, 2019
Is a dividend recap right for you?
Greenwich Capital Group's Andrew Dickow shares his thoughts on dividend recapitalization strategy and how to find the right path to meet your needs.
March 13, 2019
Highmark, Geisinger complete $100M clinical joint venture
Health care companies Highmark Inc. and Geisinger have completed their previously announced clinical joint venture, which will invest more than $100 million to expand health care services and improve access to healthcare in four north-central Pennsylvania counties.
March 13, 2019
PNC to sell part of its record-keeping business to Newport Group
The transaction will enable PNC to focus on providing fiduciary investment advice to retirement clients — one of its core businesses — while helping Newport expand through the complementary acquisition.
March 12, 2019
Huron-backed Ronnoco Coffee gulps down add-on
Huron Capital’s platform company Ronnoco Coffee has acquired Beverage Solutions Group, expanding its national footprint from 35 to 43 states and provides additional distributor relationships.The deal
March 12, 2019
RPM’s Jim Karman: Skip the drama and avoid turnarounds
Retired RPM International COO Jim Karman reflects on the fateful deal that convinced him to steer clear of turnaround acquisitions and shares lessons learned from his dealmaking career.
March 11, 2019
Aspire dealmakers conference coming to Detroit April 11
The Aspire middle-market dealmakers conference will be at the Westin Book Cadillac on April 11. This conference features an all-star lineup of entrepreneurs, investors and adviser.
March 11, 2019
NeuBase Therapeutics gets $9M in financing
NeuBase Therapeutics Inc., a Pittsburgh biotechnology company developing antisense therapies to address rare genetic diseases, has landed $9 million in financing ahead of the company’s proposed merger with Ohr Pharmaceutical Inc.
March 11, 2019
DLZ grows in Midwest with Johnson & Anderson acquisition
Architecture and engineering firm DLZ Corp. has acquired Johnson & Anderson Engineers, a civil engineering firm that works in the areas of municipal, water and wastewater engineering, survey and construction services.
March 11, 2019
Enesco completes acquisition of Things Remembered
Giftware seller and distributor Enesco LLC has completed its acquisition of Things Remembered Inc., preserving 176 stores and 1,400 jobs while expanding the company's offerings.
March 11, 2019
Army gives Carnegie Mellon $72M to fund AI defense research
Carnegie Mellon University, specifically its Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, is being awarded $72 million from the U.S. Army over five years for fundamental (publishable) artificial intelligence research.
March 11, 2019
Preformed Line Products buys Austrian SubCon Electrical Fittings
Preformed Line Products Co., a manufacturer of energy and communications infrastructure, has acquired SubCon Electrical Fittings GmbH, an Austrian manufacturer of substation connector systems and electrical accessory hardware.
March 8, 2019
UH Ventures seeks every opportunity for innovation
Through UH Ventures, University Hospitals Health System hopes it can become a powerful force to enable the next generation of health care.
March 8, 2019
L Brands pressed to spin off Victoria’s Secret
Activist investor Barington Capital is urging L Brands to spin off its struggling Victoria Secret brand, in part to protect its thriving Bath & Body Works brand, which Barington says should be taken
March 8, 2019
Atlas Oil founder Sam Simon: How to maximize your deals
The master dealmaker talks about his humble beginnings, his approach to investment opportunities and the importance of being a disciplined dealmaker.
March 7, 2019
vitalxchange's Charu Ramanathan: survival skills trump MBA thinking
The co-founder and CEO at vitalxchange talks about the value of following your instincts and the real skills entrepreneurs need to succeed.
March 7, 2019
IAM Robotics’ Joel Reed: Finding capital and talent in a competitive robotics industry
The robotics industry remains in flux, especially as methods for fulfilling consumer orders continue to evolve. But Pittsburgh — and companies like IAM Robotics — is at the center of it all.
March 6, 2019
Startup future is bright — and diverse
Tom Walker talks about the startup climate and how Rev1 is encouraging startup diversity.
March 6, 2019
McGowan Cos. acquires, rebrands Edgewater Holdings
The McGowan Cos. has purchased the assets of another insurance underwriter, Edgewater Holdings Ltd., in a move McGowan President and CEO Thomas B. McGowan IV said will further the company’s national growth strategy.
March 6, 2019
Gilbert part of Detroit's first angel investor group
Membership in Woodward Angels requires a minimum investment of $25,000 per calendar year in Detroit-area startups.
March 6, 2019
Cancer support organizations merge
Two cancer support organizations, Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit and The Lake House, are merging to continue, broaden and strengthen support for families facing cancer throughout metro Detroit.The Lake
March 5, 2019
WESCO closes Sylvania Lighting purchase
WESCO Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Wesco International, has acquired certain assets of Sylvania Lighting Solutions from OSRAM Sylvania, including its business operations in the United States and Canada.
March 5, 2019
Beachwood’s NeverBounce acquired by B2B intelligence platform DiscoverOrg
Beachwood, Ohio-based email verification company NeverBounce is being acquired by DiscoverOrg, a B2B marketing intelligence firm based in Vancouver. The deal will help DiscoverOrg enhance its existing sales and marketing services and solutions for B2B companies.
March 5, 2019
Are you a futurist?
Riverside Co-CEO Stewart Kohl explains why it’s imperative for CEOs to be futurists if they want to ensure the success of their businesses.
March 5, 2019
RHP pays $170M for 17 manufactured home sites
Farmington Hills-based RHP Properties, an owner and operator of manufactured home communities, has acquired 17 communities in five states.The $170 million acquisition includes 3,177 sites in five
March 5, 2019
Resilience Capital Partners sells Thermal Solutions Manufacturing
Private equity firm Resilience Capital Partners has sold Thermal Solutions Manufacturing, a provider of automotive heating and cooling products, to Altus Capital Partners Inc., an investment firm focused on the North American manufacturing sector.
March 5, 2019
MPE Partners acquires Syracuse Plastics of North Carolina
MPE Partners, a Cleveland-based private equity firm, has acquired Syracuse Plastics of North Carolina Inc. for its portfolio company, Plastic Components Inc.
March 4, 2019
Riverside Co. adds ADA Solutions to SureWerx safety portfolio
The Riverside Co. has acquired ADA Solutions, a developer and distributor of safety products and solutions for the visually impaired, as an add-on to its SureWerx portfolio company, a supplier of professional safety products, tools and equipment.
March 1, 2019
Forward-thinking investors are monetizing the movement of people, products
As self-driving cars become a force on American roadways, Blue Victor Capital's Sherwin Prior is already looking ahead at new ways to leverage autonomous vehicle technology.
March 1, 2019
Masco may shed cabinetry and window businesses
The units account for 20 percent of the company's sales and 10 percent of operating profit.
March 1, 2019
Michael Canty: How to navigate the tricky waters of turnaround investing
Turnaround maven Michael Canty offers his tips for investing in troubled companies and shares the strategy that got Alloy Bellows & Precision Welding back on its feet.
March 1, 2019
Diversified to buy 9 Chicago-area Buffalo Wild Wings
The units being acquired generated $32.7 million in revenue and $4.5 million of EBITDA in 2018,
March 1, 2019
Eaton to spin off lighting business
Move will create a separate public company with $1.7 billion in sales to commercial, industrial, residential and municipal markets.
February 28, 2019
Integrating acquisitions isn’t one size fits all for L.B. Foster
CEO Bob Bauer breaks down L.B. Foster's unique integration approach to three different acquisitions.
February 28, 2019
Adrich gets seed funding from Sony
Sony Innovation Fund invests in maker of labels that track consumer behavior.
February 27, 2019
Dan Manges: Root Insurance's journey to unicorn status
Dan Manges shares Root's high-speed capital raising journey and meteoric rise to unicorn status.
February 27, 2019
RDX acquires ClearDB in second February deal for cloud services firm
Managed database and cloud services provider RDX has acquired ClearDB as part of an aggressive strategic expansion of the RDX service portfolio.
February 27, 2019
Sarepta to buy Myonexus for $165M
Nationwide Children’s Hospital spinoff Myonexus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, is being bought by Sarepta Therapeutics for $165 million.
February 26, 2019
Campbell's selling Garden Fresh, but not to Aronson
Campbell Soup says it will sell the Ferndale-Based salsa maker to an affiliate of Fountain of Health USA, a maker of hummus, dips, salads and other products.
February 25, 2019
Maitri Medicinals raises nearly $7M from angel investors
The medical marijuana company reportedly will use the funds to establish additional dispensaries, an indoor growing facility and the relocate its headquarters.
February 25, 2019
Understand the risk profile of your target company
Oswald's Jeff Schwab explains how he helps clients identify and forecast risks in their deals — and why it’s worth the effort.
February 25, 2019
Lineage Logistics buying rival for a reported $1B+
The deal to buy Preferred Freezer Services unites two of the industry's largest companies.
February 20, 2019
M&A Outlook: Making moves in a seller's market
Western Reserve Partners' Dave Dunstan shares key takeaways from Citizens Commercial Banking's eighth-annual Middle Market M&A Outlook.
February 19, 2019
Report: Consolidated Precision Products on the block for $2B
Local Deals Cleveland
February 19, 2019
Compass Self Storage nabs another Florida location
The Alachua site is now the 18th Compass Self Storage location in Florida and the company's 87th location nationwide.
February 19, 2019
Seeking a buyer?
5 metrics that buyers will ask about, and the ways you can leverage them to create a more attractive acquisition target.
February 18, 2019
Riverside invests in 300-year-old rum producer
The PE firm has made a significant investment in E&A Scheer, the largest global blender and vendor of premium rum in bulk.
February 18, 2019
Market Garden's Sam McNulty
Sam McNulty talks about his approach to dealmaking, the value of strong partnerships and his keys to success.
February 15, 2019
How Lincoln Electric picks its deals
Last year, Lincoln earned a 20.7 percent return on invested capital – up 4.5 points from 2017. CFO Vince Petrella shares how the manufacturer approaches acquisitions to drive continued earnings growth.
February 14, 2019
Be decisive with your time, money and expertise
R. Louis Schneeberger and other top dealmakers share their advice for navigating negotiations to a successful outcome.
February 12, 2019
MediQuant agrees to buy HeF Solutions
Brecksville-based MediQuant, a provider of enterprise active archiving solutions to hospitals and health systems, is acquiring Illinois-based HeF Solutions. The deal follows by a day the announcement of MediQuant's acquisition of DataEmerge of Columbus.
February 11, 2019
MediQuant to acquire DataEmerge
MediQuant, a provider of archiving solutions to hospitals and health systems, is acquiring the data extraction company DataEmerge.“This merger is an opportunity for both MediQuant and DataEmerge to
February 8, 2019
Davey Tree buys Houston's Landscape Management Services
The Davey Tree Expert Co. is acquiring assets of LMS Inc. (Landscape Management Services), a Houston-based commercial landscape management company.“LMS brings a talented team of professionals, and we
February 7, 2019
TruWest Cos.: Innovators wanted
Matt Kennedy and Wendy Jarchow explain how TruWest Cos. and River SaaS Capital identify promising investment opportunities and position them for growth. “We’re looking for industries that are ripe for innovation,” Jarchow says.
February 6, 2019
The rise of corporate venture funding
Pittsburgh’s old industrial companies are paying attention to startups and Idea Foundry CEO Mike Matesic thinks the surge in corporate venture funding bodes well for local M&A activity. We spoke with Matesic about how corporations and startups are working together to grow Pittsburgh’s economy.
February 6, 2019
Compass Self Storage adds third location in greater Pittsburgh
Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired a new self-storage center at 5301 N. Pioneer Road in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh.
February 6, 2019
Things Remembered sells to Enesco, files bankruptcy
Things Remembered is selling most of its business to Enesco, an Illinois-based giftware, home décor and accessories distribution company. To facilitate the sale, the company filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11, seeking bankruptcy court approval for a severance and outplacement program to support impacted employees and incentives for store employees.
February 5, 2019
You can’t fake passion
Passion is an authentic emotion. That’s why it’s the first trait Pete Martin looks for in Votem Corp. employees. Martin talks about building on market opportunities, the role of resilience and going all in on your vision.
February 4, 2019
No business is perfect
Every business has problems, and it is well-nigh impossible to keep them secret. Wise sellers frame how the problems will be disclosed. Managing this disclosure maintains credibility, while not making the problems seem bigger than they really are.
January 31, 2019
Riverside adds Australian firm to Hiway platform
The Riverside Company bought WA Profiling and Stabilising, a Perth, Australia-based provider of road stabilization and profiling services. The company will be iadded to Riverside’s Hiway Group,
January 30, 2019
Sweat the details
Howard L. Lewis isn’t usually a micromanager. But that changed when he prepared to sell his business.“You can’t be a bystander or a passive viewer of this transaction,” says Lewis, founder and
January 30, 2019
Embrace fear and uncertainty
If there’s not something wrong with the business you’re investing in, you’re probably paying too much, says Umberto P. Fedeli.“You take a great company, great quality and great growth, but the value
January 28, 2019
Weiss family selling American Greetings HQ
The Weiss family reportedly has put American Greetings Corp.’s global corporate headquarters in Westlake’s Crocker Park on the market, roughly a year after selling a majority stake in their family business to PE.
January 24, 2019
Alan Homewood: Saying no was more important than saying yes
Founder Alan Homewood discusses the growth and sale of 2Checkout. "I made pretty much every mistake it’s possible to make. If there’s a checklist of the mistakes an entrepreneur can make, I made about all of them.”
January 24, 2019
Adam Kaufman
Last year, Adam Kaufman studied an estimated 500 early-stage companies to assess their long-term viability. Helping startups refine their message and pursue their goals brings the entrepreneur great
January 24, 2019
Elements of an effective M&A strategy
John Ensign doesn’t have much downtime. But that comes with the job at MRI Software.Since he joined the real estate software solutions provider in 2010, MRI has made more than 20 acquisitions,
January 24, 2019
Don’t back down
When Jayne Juvan attended her first board meeting as an M&A lawyer, she was the only woman in the room. Despite the challenging gender dynamics, she stayed the course and pursued her passion for dealmaking. In her insider column, Jayne offers strategies to help break down barriers.
January 24, 2019
FirstEnergy Solutions gets new lease on life
FirstEnergy Solutions has staved off oblivion for now with a restructuring deal that will allow it to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
January 22, 2019
Lazear Capital’s Ted Lape on transparency, creativity and the rise of ESOPs
Ted Lape talks about transparency in dealmaking, when ESOPs make sense and his most memorable deals.
January 17, 2019
Provariant’s Murad Beg
Provariant's Murad Beg talks about how he stays objective to make the right deals for his clients.
January 17, 2019
JumpStart’s Jerry Frantz
JumpStart’s Jerry Frantz knows he’s in a risky business. “Any way you cut it, deploying capital into young companies is an inherently risky proposition,” he says. Frantz talks about the role of early-stage capital in economic health and managing risk as a startup investor.
January 15, 2019
Business Pulse – January 2019
Add-on acquisitions continue to increase as an overall percentage of M&A buyouts. Strategic buyers remain active and able to pursue add-on acquisitions. Private equity is also making more add-on acquisitions.
January 10, 2019
CVS buys Ritzman Pharmacies, closes all but three sites
Ritzman Pharmacies is selling all of its 20 Northeast Ohio retail pharmacies to CVS Pharmacy, which will close all but three of the stores.
January 10, 2019
MRI Software acquires background screening business
MRI Software LLC has acquired Minnesota-based Rental History Reports and Trusted Employees, a provider of cloud-based applicant screening platforms.
January 9, 2019
Flashstarts' Charles Stack
Entrepreneur and early-stage investor Charles Stack talks with Smart Business Dealmakers about the role of confidence in dealmaking and how changemakers can use it to spark investment in Cleveland.
January 9, 2019
August Carlino on negotiating, risk and preserving a legacy
August Carlino talks about what gets his blood pumping, the Rivers of Steel's acquisition of RiverQuest and his advice for other dealmakers.
January 8, 2019
Do you need reps and warranties insurance?
A way to reduce or eliminate deal escrow -- and keep more of the purchase price -- is representation and warranty insurance. BakerHostetler Partner Pete Van Euwen takes a look at the topic in this Insider column.
January 8, 2019
Riverside-backed HSI adds EMS Safety Services
Health and Safety Institute, backed by Riverside Co., has acquired EMS Safety Services Inc, a California-based provider of first aid and CPR training solutions.
January 3, 2019
StartInCLE’s Ed Buchholz
Ed Buchholz about some of the challenges faced by Cleveland’s startup community and how the region can attract and empower quality startups.
December 28, 2018
2019: Feeling the pressure
Private equity firms and public companies have a stash of cash – and it’s time to do something with it. In our Dealmakers Look Ahead, we talk with local dealmaking experts about what to expect in 2019.
December 28, 2018
Next Sparc’s Len Pagon Jr.
Len Pagon talks about his approach to making the right moves at the negotiating table.
December 28, 2018
Congratulations!
You’ve gone where few have gone before you and reached that pot of gold at the end of the entrepreneurial rainbow. What now?
December 20, 2018
ChromoCare’s Hugh Cathey learns from success — and failure
Master Dealmaker Hugh Cathey talks about what’s changed in M&A, one of his biggest deals and the importance of learning from career wins and losses.
December 19, 2018
Will past performance predict next M&A downturn?
Greif's Matthew Leahy sees a disconnect between public and private market valuations. Public markets value businesses based on forward earnings, whereas private transactions are generally trailing. "Public market investors could be too bearish, but at the same time, it creates an interesting nuance,” he says.
December 19, 2018
2018: Has the market peaked?
In our Dealmakers Year in Review, Mansour, Manna and other M&A experts weigh in on the past year in dealmaking — including lessons learned, trends to watch and the biggest under-the-radar deals of 2018.
December 19, 2018
FALCON's Rob Huxtable
FALCON Managing Partner Rob Huxtable talks about his tips for finding leaders who can thrive under pressure, rise to a challenge and help PE firms maximize their investments.
December 19, 2018
Best practices to follow and pitfalls to avoid with your next acquisition
So, you think you know what it takes to buy a business? With the range of available financing options and a red-hot M&A market, there’s a lot to consider. Finance-minded experts and entrepreneurs share their experiences at ASPIRE 2018.
December 19, 2018
Business Pulse – December 2018
MelCap Partners' Matt Roberts looks at next year: "As we look toward 2019 deal activity, we believe the prepared will win."
December 13, 2018
Ranpak sells for $950M; going public
The Concord Township-based packaging products company is being bought for $950 million by One Madison Corp., a special purpose acquisition company.
December 12, 2018
Legacy Capital’s David St. Pierre
As a 20-year veteran of real estate investing, David St. Pierre knows the best way to sell investors on a new opportunity: Don’t.
December 12, 2018
LeafFilter’s Matt Kaulig
LeafFilter founder Matt Kaulig explains how to show your value to potential investors and position your company for a sale.
December 12, 2018
Bring it home
When you have the right team in place to make a deal, everything else tends to work itself out.
December 7, 2018
Tecum Capital’s Stephen Gurgovits Jr.
Tecum Capital Managing Director Stephen Gurgovits Jr. talks about Tecum's evolution as an investment firm, it's appetite for risk and one of his most memorable deals.
December 7, 2018
Flashstarts launches early-stage blockchain fund
Charles Stack’s Flashstarts business accelerator is creating a $6 million, pre-seed investment fund for blockchain-based startups.
December 7, 2018
TravelCenters sells convenience stores
TravelCenters of America has completed the $330.8 million sale of its convenience store business.
December 7, 2018
Compass Self Storage adds 16th Atlanta center
The acquisition gives Compass Self Storage 16 locations in the greater Atlanta market, and 85 total storage centers nationwide.
December 6, 2018
Kelsheimer, Ferkovic join forces at Medic Management
A look at the approach Jerry Kelsheimer and Tom Ferkovic used to negotiate the purchase of Medic Management Group, and what’s next for the business.
December 6, 2018
North Coast Angel Fund’s Todd Federman
The angel investor talks about common mistakes entrepreneurs need to avoid to beat the odds and monetize their ideas.
November 30, 2018
Radhika Reddy
Radhika Reddy and her partners have worked on more than $2 billion of public-private finance transactions across the United States. We talk with her about the complexity of real estate investing.
November 30, 2018
TownHall’s Bobby George
Bobby George consults his list of dealmaking principles on a weekly basis – and uses them to inform his decisions. He talks with us about how he evaluates acquisitions to seize opportunity when it strikes.
November 30, 2018
Learn from your mistakes
Growing your business through acquisition is a highly complex process. One misstep can cost you everything. Our team recently managed through a significant oversight that almost forced us to shut down operations.
November 21, 2018
Strategic acquisitions can jumpstart your product development
President and CEO Dave Ciesinski talks about how Lancaster Colony uses M&A as a component of development and innovation.
November 20, 2018
A look at the present — and future — of Columbus’ economy
Columbus Partnership President and CEO Alex R. Fischer shares his insights into the next steps for Columbus’ economic development and economy.
November 20, 2018
Mac Biggar Jr.
Master dealmaker Mac Biggar talks about challenges and opportunities in today’s commercial real estate space.