Platinum Equity lands largest deals in firm history to highlight bustling 2021

Here is a look back at 2021:

Transformation at Ingram Micro begins
After closing on the $7.2 billion acquisition of Ingram Micro in July, a deal Partner Jacob Kotzubei called “the culmination of more than a decade investing in the technology and IT distribution space,” Platinum’s M&A&O team went to work. Ingram has been active on both the buy and sell side. First, Ingram announced the acquisition of BRLink, which establishes the tech company as the only Brazil distributor offering a complete migration to the cloud. The next day Ingram announced the sale of most of its non-core Commerce & Lifecycle services business to CMA CGM Group for $3 billion.

European momentum continues
The Urbaser acquisition adds to momentum generated by Platinum’s European operations, headed by Partner Louis Samson, and is representative of Platinum’s commitment to putting resources on the ground across the Atlantic. Urbaser joins European investments Fantini Group Vini, Biscuit International, De Wave Group, Iberconsa, and Awaze in Platinum Equity’s current portfolio. 

Nesco merges with CTOS, rejoins Platinum portfolio
In April, Platinum led the $2.5 billion combination of Custom Truck One Source and Nesco, a company Platinum previously owned from 2011-2014. The combined enterprise began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “CTOS”, a moment CTOS CEO and founder Fred Ross called “a surreal thing,” according to the Kansas City Business Journal. Samson said: “We look forward to working with the management team to bring these companies together and to putting our playbook in action. We have a lot of experience in this industry and are excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Investing in building products space
After selling Interior Logic Group (ILG) and PrimeSource, Platinum added Cabinetworks (kitchen cabinets), Paramount Global Surfaces (porcelain tile, hard surface floor covering) and Oregon Tool (chainsaws, concrete cutting applications). Kotzubei said after the PGS announcement: “COVID and demographic trends are also driving a shift in consumer lifestyle that is stimulating increased new home construction and renovation activity, and we anticipate the impact of these tailwinds will be felt for years to come.”

Portcos continue aggressive add-on strategy
Cision, a leading public relations and earned media software company, announced in February its intention to buy Brandwatch for $450 million. The purchase of the online consumer intelligence and social media listening platform created a “PR, marketing and social listening giant,” according to Tech Crunch. McGraw Hill (Achieve3000), Biscuit International (Continental Bakeries), Petmate (Cosmic Pet), Centerfield (Datalot), and Mad Engine (Fifth Sun) were among other Platinum portfolio companies that made notable acquisitions. There were 33 add-ons executed.

Multi-Color and ILG headline busy year of divestitures
After executing an ops plan featuring a strategic merger, Platinum and other shareholders sold ILG in April for $1.6 billion. ILG is an interior-design technology provider to several of the nation’s largest single-family homebuilders. After filing plans for an initial public offering in January, the decision was eventually made to sell to Blackstone. In October, Platinum sold label solutions provider Multi-Color Corporation, an investment that began in 2018 with the acquisition of WS Packaging. Other notable divestitures included the sales of Ball Metalpack, JM Swank, PCI Limited and Sensis.

USS transformation leads to continuation fund
Platinum closed on a continuation fund vehicle in connection with the acquisition of United Site Services (USS), the largest provider of portable sanitation and related site services in the U.S. The continuation fund is backed by a group of institutional investors and the transaction will provide substantial capital to fuel USS’s next phase of M&A-driven growth and expansion. Since acquiring USS in 2017, Platinum Equity has helped transform the company by stimulating organic growth, executing 36 add-on acquisitions, and implementing a broad range of operational improvements throughout the business.

Orbit sold in first Small Cap exit
Orbit Irrigation was sold to Husqvarna Group for $480 million, the first exit for Platinum’s dedicated Small Cap Investment Platform. The sale was the culmination of a transformation program that prioritized investing in Orbit’s smart watering technology, diversifying its product portfolio and implementing operational improvement initiatives throughout the organization. The Small Cap team was active on the buy side, too, acquiring three new platforms and seven add-ons during the year.

Aventiv-Securus transformation
Platinum continues to accelerate the company’s transformation from legacy prison phone company to advanced technology solutions provider, making communications more accessible and affordable. From the hiring of civil rights leader and entrepreneur Yusef Jackson as an adviser to the creation of a post incarceration unit to address recidivism, Platinum’s ops plan is drawing notice from independent news outlets like Yahoo! News.

Portfolio companies provide ESG solutions
Solenis, acquired in November as part of a $6.5 billion combination with Sigura, partnering with a food packaging manufacturer to eliminate PFAS, which some studies link to increased cancer risk. Oregon Tool sending a team to assist with relief efforts in Kentucky after devastating tornadoes. Elevate Textiles becoming the first global textile manufacturer to receive validation of its Science Based Target goals when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Just a few examples of Platinum portfolio companies showing doing good is good for business.