Desert NDT, a provider of nondestructive inspection services and a portfolio company of Sterling Partners, has acquired Midwest Inspection Services. This is Desert’s first purchase since being acquired by Sterling Partners in March 2012.
“Desert NDT aspires to be the provider, employer and acquirer of choice in this sector, and we plan to grow our business aggressively, through both organic expansion and acquisitions,” said Doug Frey, CEO of Desert NDT. “We have a robust acquisition pipeline.”
Midwest Inspection Services provides a variety of nondestructive testing services to the midstream oil and gas sector in Colorado and Nebraska. Its services include industrial radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection and certified welding inspection. David Ezzell and his father Raymond have been co-owners of Midwest Inspection Services since 1985. David Ezzell will continue to oversee the operations of Midwest’s locations. Midwest employs more than 200 people and operates four locations, including Perryton (headquarters) and Pharr, TX; Elk City, OK; and Brighton, CO. (no website found).
Desert’s non-destructive testing services span the entire life cycle of oil and gas assets, from initial installation through ongoing integrity program management. Desert serves customers primarily in the Southwest and offers ultrasonic testing, digital X-Ray and integrity management services in addition to the traditional X-Ray testing. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Odessa, TX (www.desertndt.com).
“With the addition of Midwest Inspection Services, Desert NDT is creating a powerful inspection and integrity services footprint across the country’s leading oil-and-gas production regions,” said Mr. Frey. “Desert now offers services across 10 states through 15 locations, including a new office established in Bismarck, ND to service the strategically important Bakken Shale play.”
Alan Macksey, a Sterling Partners managing director, noted that sharply rising U.S. oil and natural gas production has boosted demand for reliable nondestructive testing services for pipelines and midstream infrastructure. “Desert NDT’s acquisition of Midwest is consistent with the strategy behind our initial investment in the business,” he said. “We back strong companies in growing industries, and Desert NDT is an emerging leader in midstream inspection and integrity services.”
Sterling Partners invests growth capital in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support to management through a dedicated team of industry veterans, operators, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sectors of interest include education, healthcare and business services. The firm has offices in Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL (www.sterlingpartners.com).
© 2012 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 9-6-12
