Mergers & Acquisitions

May 13, 2021

Applied Adhesives Acquires Adhezion

Arsenal’s Applied Adhesives Acquires Adhezion MINNETONKA, MN – May 13, 2021 – APPLIED Adhesives, a premier adhesive solutions provider in North America, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Adhezion, a distributor of adhesive products and application equipment focused on the automotive and packaging markets in North America. The transaction brings together two companies with a proven track record of providing technical expertise and exceptional service to its customers. APPLIED Adhesives is a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners.
“Adhezion is an established market leader delivering best-in-class technical expertise and outstanding service to its customers, an approach we embrace at APPLIED Adhesives as well” said John Feriancek, President and Chief Executive Officer of APPLIED Adhesives. “We look forward to bringing our two companies together and building on our shared tradition of being a trusted adhesive solutions partner for our customers.
Adhezion leverages its technical expertise to bring technology-driven solutions and supply agreements with global chemical specialists to the industrial, automotive, and packaged goods markets. Adhezion compliments APPLIED Adhesives customer focus and solution offerings. Jodi Leja, Adhezion President, added, “We have built a culture that prioritizes partnering with our customers to build lasting relationships. APPLIED has built a similar culture and thus we are excited to join APPLIED Adhesives and continue to deliver outstanding service to our customers.”
Adhezion is APPLIED Adhesives first acquisition under Arsenal Capital Partners and its sixth acquisition in the past four years.

May 12, 2021

Quality Carriers Sells to CSX

Tampa chemical trucking company sold to CSX in ‘game-changer’ shipping deal

Quality Carriers, which moves bulk chemicals across North America, will vastly expand the rail company’s shipping network.

Tampa's Quality Carriers is being sold to the CSX Corp., creating a sprawling new multimodal liquid chemical shipping network.
Tampa’s Quality Carriers is being sold to the CSX Corp., creating a sprawling new multimodal liquid chemical shipping network. [ DYLAN MCCULLOUGH | Quality Distribution ]

By Jay CridlinPublished 3 hours agoUpdated 34 minutes ago

A Tampa chemical trucking company is being sold to railroad giant CSX Corp. in a deal expected to create a sprawling rails-to-roadways chemical distribution network across North America.

Quality Distribution, a privately held logistics and transportation company headquartered in downtown Tampa, is spinning off and selling its Quality Carriers arm, which operates North America’s largest shipping network for bulk liquid chemicals like fuels, acids and fertilizers.

Quality Carriers, whose fleet includes 2,500 drivers moving between more than 100 hubs and terminals throughout North America, will remain based in Tampa.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in late summer or early fall.

In statements released Wednesday, executives from both companies highlighted the scope and potential impact of the deal. The companies’ “unique and seamless rail-to-highway offering,” said Quality Controls president Randy Strutz, would be the “first of its kind,” said CSX president and CEO James Foote.

In a statement, Quality Distribution chairman and CEO Gary Enzor called the deal “a game-changer for our industry.”

“This transaction gives CSX and Quality Carriers the unique opportunity to offer a powerful combination of truck and rail solutions to customers, with the added benefit of maintaining QC’s headquarters in Tampa,” Enzor said.Related: $2 billion packaging company relocating HQ to Tampa, bringing 200 jobs

In a brief video addressed to Quality Carriers drivers, Strutz said the deal would lead to “more opportunities and more choices” for truckers who prefer both local and long-haul jobs.

As part of the deal, Quality Distribution will spin another subsidiary, Boasso Global, into its own standalone company, and cease using the Quality Distribution brand name. Boasso provides shipping services for bulk shipping containers through a network of hubs in North America and Europe. It will continue to be based in Tampa.

Company officials said 99 percent of Quality Distribution’s workforce will remain in place, with most changes taking place at the corporate management level. Enzor will step down as Quality Distribution’s chariman and CEO, but will remain on Boasso’s board of directors. Joe Troy, Boasso’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, will step up and become CEO.Related: Clearwater’s MarineMax buys Wisconsin yacht builder for $63 million

Founded in 1913 in Pennsylvania, Quality Distribution has been based in the Tampa Bay area for decades. In 2015, the company was sold for $800 million to private equity firm Apex Partners. The previous year, the company had reported $991.7 million in revenue and $20.6 million in net income.

Based in Jacksonville, CSX last year reported nearly $10.6 billion in revenue, including $2.3 billion from its chemical transportation business, the most of any sector. The company’s intermodal business, linking trains and trucks, represented around 16 percent of its overall revenue.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/05/12/tampa-chemical-trucking-company-sold-to-csx-in-game-changer-shipping-deal/

May 12, 2021

Quality Carriers Sells to CSX

Tampa chemical trucking company sold to CSX in ‘game-changer’ shipping deal

Quality Carriers, which moves bulk chemicals across North America, will vastly expand the rail company’s shipping network.

Tampa's Quality Carriers is being sold to the CSX Corp., creating a sprawling new multimodal liquid chemical shipping network.
Tampa’s Quality Carriers is being sold to the CSX Corp., creating a sprawling new multimodal liquid chemical shipping network. [ DYLAN MCCULLOUGH | Quality Distribution ]

By Jay CridlinPublished 3 hours agoUpdated 34 minutes ago

A Tampa chemical trucking company is being sold to railroad giant CSX Corp. in a deal expected to create a sprawling rails-to-roadways chemical distribution network across North America.

Quality Distribution, a privately held logistics and transportation company headquartered in downtown Tampa, is spinning off and selling its Quality Carriers arm, which operates North America’s largest shipping network for bulk liquid chemicals like fuels, acids and fertilizers.

Quality Carriers, whose fleet includes 2,500 drivers moving between more than 100 hubs and terminals throughout North America, will remain based in Tampa.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in late summer or early fall.

In statements released Wednesday, executives from both companies highlighted the scope and potential impact of the deal. The companies’ “unique and seamless rail-to-highway offering,” said Quality Controls president Randy Strutz, would be the “first of its kind,” said CSX president and CEO James Foote.

In a statement, Quality Distribution chairman and CEO Gary Enzor called the deal “a game-changer for our industry.”

“This transaction gives CSX and Quality Carriers the unique opportunity to offer a powerful combination of truck and rail solutions to customers, with the added benefit of maintaining QC’s headquarters in Tampa,” Enzor said.Related: $2 billion packaging company relocating HQ to Tampa, bringing 200 jobs

In a brief video addressed to Quality Carriers drivers, Strutz said the deal would lead to “more opportunities and more choices” for truckers who prefer both local and long-haul jobs.

As part of the deal, Quality Distribution will spin another subsidiary, Boasso Global, into its own standalone company, and cease using the Quality Distribution brand name. Boasso provides shipping services for bulk shipping containers through a network of hubs in North America and Europe. It will continue to be based in Tampa.

Company officials said 99 percent of Quality Distribution’s workforce will remain in place, with most changes taking place at the corporate management level. Enzor will step down as Quality Distribution’s chariman and CEO, but will remain on Boasso’s board of directors. Joe Troy, Boasso’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, will step up and become CEO.Related: Clearwater’s MarineMax buys Wisconsin yacht builder for $63 million

Founded in 1913 in Pennsylvania, Quality Distribution has been based in the Tampa Bay area for decades. In 2015, the company was sold for $800 million to private equity firm Apex Partners. The previous year, the company had reported $991.7 million in revenue and $20.6 million in net income.

Based in Jacksonville, CSX last year reported nearly $10.6 billion in revenue, including $2.3 billion from its chemical transportation business, the most of any sector. The company’s intermodal business, linking trains and trucks, represented around 16 percent of its overall revenue.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/05/12/tampa-chemical-trucking-company-sold-to-csx-in-game-changer-shipping-deal/

May 4, 2021

Aresenal Makes Another Acquisition

Arsenal’s Meridian Adhesives Acquires Frontier Products DALTON, Georgia, May 4, 2021 – Meridian Adhesives Group (Meridian) announced today the acquisition of Frontier Products Inc. (Frontier).
Located in Alvarado, Texas, Frontier is a manufacturer of high-performance flooring solutions, including urethane, acrylic pressure sensitive and hybrid adhesives; moisture barriers; sound control; and construction products. With more than 40 years of experience in the flooring industry, Frontier offers custom formulations for its private label customers throughout North America.
“The addition of Frontier to our Flooring Division brings new processes and technologies to our platform,” said Daniel Pelton, CEO of Meridian Adhesives Group. “This will benefit our customers and partners by opening up additional product offerings and technical support, further positioning us as the go-to solution providers in the adhesives market.”
As part of Meridian’s Flooring Division, Frontier will work alongside Taylor Adhesives, a leading name in the flooring adhesives market for its resilient, wood and carpet flooring adhesives and the company’s moisture mitigation coatings and specialty products; as well as Polycom Solutions, a manufacturer specializing in custom product assembly solutions.
“I’m especially excited to be bringing Frontier into the Meridian Flooring Division to work alongside Taylor and Polycom,” said Paul Murfin, President of Taylor and Meridian’s Flooring Division. “Frontier helps expand our product and brand portfolio and further increases our leadership position in the flooring adhesives space.”
Together, the three companies will serve the flooring industry with advanced flooring, construction and product assembly solutions.
“Joining Meridian Adhesives Group is a strategic move that will meet the goals of our company,” said Carl Nichols, President of Frontier. “Having the backing of Meridian and Taylor – technologically, operationally and financially – will allow us to better serve our customers and continue the upward momentum of our business.”
For more information regarding Frontier Products Inc., visit https://frontierproductsinc.com.

May 4, 2021

Aresenal Makes Another Acquisition

Arsenal’s Meridian Adhesives Acquires Frontier Products DALTON, Georgia, May 4, 2021 – Meridian Adhesives Group (Meridian) announced today the acquisition of Frontier Products Inc. (Frontier).
Located in Alvarado, Texas, Frontier is a manufacturer of high-performance flooring solutions, including urethane, acrylic pressure sensitive and hybrid adhesives; moisture barriers; sound control; and construction products. With more than 40 years of experience in the flooring industry, Frontier offers custom formulations for its private label customers throughout North America.
“The addition of Frontier to our Flooring Division brings new processes and technologies to our platform,” said Daniel Pelton, CEO of Meridian Adhesives Group. “This will benefit our customers and partners by opening up additional product offerings and technical support, further positioning us as the go-to solution providers in the adhesives market.”
As part of Meridian’s Flooring Division, Frontier will work alongside Taylor Adhesives, a leading name in the flooring adhesives market for its resilient, wood and carpet flooring adhesives and the company’s moisture mitigation coatings and specialty products; as well as Polycom Solutions, a manufacturer specializing in custom product assembly solutions.
“I’m especially excited to be bringing Frontier into the Meridian Flooring Division to work alongside Taylor and Polycom,” said Paul Murfin, President of Taylor and Meridian’s Flooring Division. “Frontier helps expand our product and brand portfolio and further increases our leadership position in the flooring adhesives space.”
Together, the three companies will serve the flooring industry with advanced flooring, construction and product assembly solutions.
“Joining Meridian Adhesives Group is a strategic move that will meet the goals of our company,” said Carl Nichols, President of Frontier. “Having the backing of Meridian and Taylor – technologically, operationally and financially – will allow us to better serve our customers and continue the upward momentum of our business.”
For more information regarding Frontier Products Inc., visit https://frontierproductsinc.com.