Crestview Partners has acquired JR Automation Technologies and Dane Systems (together “JR Automation”) from the Huizenga Automation Group which acquired the companies in 1995.
JR Automation is a designer and manufacturer of automated or operated assembly line equipment such as sonic welders, riveters, adhesive dispensers, vision inspectors and verifiers, leak testers, robotic palletizers, and other equipment. The company’s products are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer products, food processing, furniture, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. JR Automation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Holland, MI (www.jrauto.com).
Crestview Partners was interested in this acquisition due to industry trends that support JR Automation’s long-term growth prospects. Specifically, Crestview expects to see growth in process manufacturing automation and robotics as adoption beyond the automotive industry accelerates and nascent re-shoring of US manufacturing.
“We have been very impressed with the technical capabilities, broad team and the significant potential of JR Automation. Bryan Jones and Scot Lindemann will continue in their leadership roles, now filling the Co-CEO positions, with support from Mike DuBose as Chairman,” said Tom Murphy, Co-Founder of Crestview Partners. “We are excited to invest in a fast growing factory automation solutions leader with such a strong culture and reputation. We look forward to partnering with management in executing their global growth plans.”
Crestview Partners invests from $100 million to $250 million in companies with enterprise values up to $3 billion. Sectors of specific interest include energy, financial services, healthcare, industrials and media. The firm will invest in other industries where its relationship network and senior operating capabilities provide an advantage. Crestview, founded in 2004 and headquartered in New York, manages funds with over $7 billion of aggregate capital commitments (www.crestview.com).
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to JC Huizenga and the team at Huizenga Automation Group. They provided support over a 20-year partnership enabling us to successfully compete and grow on a global basis,” said Bryan Jones, Co-CEO of JR Automation.
The Huizenga Automation Group is part of The Huizenga Group, a Western Michigan-based privately held company that provides management services to companies involved in custom automation machine building, tool & die, pharmaceutical packaging, machined metal parts, electrical contracting and engineered automotive component manufacturing. Huizenga Automation Group is based in Grand Rapids, MI (www.huizengagroup.com).
© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-18-15
