Galson Laboratories, a provider of industrial hygiene analysis and monitoring and a portfolio company of Bolder Capital, has been sold to SGS.
Galson is a provider of air testing and monitoring services designed to detect the presence of hazardous contaminants to protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace and emergency response personnel. The company serves customers in a variety of sectors including petroleum, gas, chemical, mining, manufacturing, construction, and remediation. The company also provides analytical laboratory testing services to the occupational health and safety and environmental industries. Galson employs over 115 people and generated revenues of approximately $17 million in 2013. Galson was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Syracuse, NY and has additional facilities in South Carolina, California, Texas, Wisconsin, Hawaii, and Ontario (www.galsonlabs.com).
SGS is an inspection, verification and certification company with more than 80,000 employees and 1,650 offices and laboratories worldwide. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (www.sgs.com).
“Galson has an excellent reputation for client service and for developing innovative solutions to meet clients’ needs. I am delighted with this acquisition that will establish us as a global leader in the industrial hygiene sector, reinforcing our position on the US domestic market while strengthening our capabilities to serve our global customers in the growing industrial hygiene, health and safety markets.” said Chris Kirk, CEO of SGS.
Bolder Capital was founded by Todd Hamilton in 2004 and has a co-investment relationship with The Edgewater Funds and JZ Capital Partners. The firm focuses on partnering with CEOs to build middle market companies through both organic growth and add-on acquisitions. Bolder Capital is based in Chicago (www.boldercapital.com).
Harris Williams & Co. was the exclusive financial advisor to Galson Laboratories. The transaction was led by John Arendale and Wayne Harrington of the Harris Williams & Co.’s Industrials Group, Dave Kennedy of the firm’s Business Services Group, and Patrick Hanraty of the firm’s Philadelphia office.
“Galson has done a phenomenal job establishing itself as an industry leader in the US. Now, SGS will provide the company with unmatched access to global resources and business opportunities, while expanding their own capabilities and services offerings,” said Mr. Arendale, managing director in Harris Williams & Co.’s Industrial’s Group.
© 2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 8-28-14