Lower middle market private equity firm
Frontenac
- HeadquartersChicago, IL S4
- Founded1971 S1
- Websitefrontenac.com
- Last verifiedOctober 19, 2026
At a glance
| Latest fund | Frontenac XIII Private Capital, $900M (Jan 2025) S4 |
|---|---|
| EBITDA range | $5M to $40M S2 |
| Check size | $50M to $150M S2 |
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S2 |
| Geography | North America S2 |
| Sectors | IT Services & MSP, Distribution, Consumer & Food, Construction Services, Accounting & Professional Services, Auto Services & Collision |
What Frontenac buys
Frontenac is a Chicago private equity firm, founded in 1971, that takes control of growing, profitable, privately held companies in three areas: consumer, industrial and services. Its posted criteria ask for $5 million to $40 million of EBITDA, an equity investment of $50 million to $150 million, and a company based in North America. Inside services it names IT services, outsourcing and professional services. Inside industrial it names specialty distribution, water and wastewater, and infrastructure services. Inside consumer it names food, pet care and health and wellness.
Every deal is built around a seasoned industry executive from what Frontenac calls its CEO1ST program, and the platform then grows by buying smaller companies. Frontenac closed its $900 million Fund XIII in January 2025 and says it completed 23 add-ons during 2025. A smaller company is most likely to meet Frontenac as an add-on to a platform such as Motion & Control Enterprises, CROM, Integrated Openings Solutions, RedHelm or SureTruck.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 19, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | MJ SystemsGulf Coast chemical injection pump distributor joined Motion & Control Enterprises; its founder keeps running it | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Aug 2026 | Salentine Pump & EquipmentWisconsin pump distributor and repair shop joined Motion & Control Enterprises | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Aug 2026 | NutriScienceRecapitalization of a Connecticut developer of clinically tested health ingredients | Platform | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Jul 2026 | Dobbs Coating SystemsTexas coatings contractor for water and wastewater plants joined CROM | Add-on | Construction Services | Source |
| Jul 2026 | GG&D Motor Vehicle ServicesArizona title and registration provider joined Dealer Services Network | Add-on | Source | |
| May 2026 | Tripp Electric MotorsFlorida motor, gearbox and pump repair business joined Motion & Control Enterprises | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| May 2026 | TLR HydraulicsDallas hydraulic repair and machining shop joined Motion & Control Enterprises | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| May 2026 | Commercial Door and HardwareFounder-built Arkansas door and hardware supplier joined Integrated Openings Solutions | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Apr 2026 | Honk TechnologiesRecapitalization of a roadside assistance platform that dispatches independent tow operators | Platform | Auto Services & Collision | Source |
| Mar 2026 | Bill Gosling OutsourcingRecapitalization of a family-built Ontario outsourcing firm that handles receivables and customer service | Platform | Source | |
| Mar 2026 | NP NutraNutraceutical ingredient supplier joined Monterey Bay Herb Co. | Add-on | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Feb 2026 | MVD ExpressNew Mexico and Montana motor vehicle services provider joined Dealer Services Network; the deal closed in October 2025 | Add-on | Source | |
| Jan 2026 | Crofter's OrganicSold to Power Sustainable Lios | Exit | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Jan 2026 | Mountain West Tank ResourcesWater tank inspection and asset management firm in the western US joined CROM | Add-on | Construction Services | Source |
| 2026 | SureTruck Fleet ServicesNew platform that buys maintenance and repair shops serving medium and heavy-duty truck fleets | Platform | Auto Services & Collision | Source |
| Oct 2025 | Design Supply DoorsKansas City door, frame and hardware subcontractor joined Integrated Openings Solutions | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Oct 2025 | CFG IndustriesFounder-led Houston water infrastructure services firm joined CROM | Add-on | Construction Services | Source |
| Sep 2025 | BeckwayRecapitalization, alongside its co-founders, of an operations and finance consulting firm serving PE-backed companies | Platform | Accounting & Professional Services | Source |
| Aug 2025 | NewterraWater treatment systems maker sold to Grundfos | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Aug 2025 | Washington Door & HardwareWashington, D.C. area door and hardware distributor joined Integrated Openings Solutions | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| May 2025 | Triad Security GroupFlorida access control and video surveillance firm joined Integrated Openings Solutions | Add-on | Source | |
| Feb 2025 | CROMBuilder and servicer of water and wastewater storage tanks, bought from Sciens Water | Platform | Construction Services | Source |
| Jan 2025 | Frontenac XIIIClosed at $900 million, above its $700 million target | Fund close | Source | |
| Jan 2025 | IntegrisSale of the national IT managed service provider to OMERS Private Equity completed | Exit | IT Services & MSP | Source |
| Dec 2024 | 1PathManaged IT services provider combined with Ideal Integrations; the two now operate as RedHelm | Add-on | IT Services & MSP | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S3.
Consumer
- NutriScience
- Honk Technologies
- Digs Dog Care
- CCI Prime
- Navis Food Partners
- Monterey Bay Herb Co.
Industrial
- CROM
- Integrated Openings Solutions
- EFC International
- Motion & Control Enterprises
Services
- SureTruck Fleet Services
- Bill Gosling Outsourcing
- Beckway
- RedHelm
- CertainPath
- Zipline Logistics
- Dealer Services Network
- Myridius
- XanEdu Services
Greymont’s take
How Frontenac fits a seller
Frontenac suits an owner whose business already earns several million dollars of EBITDA and who wants a partner to help it grow, not just a check. It regularly backs founders and families: Bill Gosling, recapitalized in 2026, is a business its family built from 1955, and Beckway's co-founders stayed in as partners in 2025.
Owners below Frontenac's size range are more likely to sell to one of its platforms, which buy often. Motion & Control Enterprises announced four acquisitions in 2026, and the founders or leaders of businesses such as MJ Systems and Salentine Pump stayed on to run them. Because Frontenac usually seats an experienced executive from its CEO1ST network as chairman, CEO or lead director, an owner should ask early who that person will be and what role the owner keeps after closing.
Questions owners ask
What size company does Frontenac buy?
Its stated criteria are $5 million to $40 million of EBITDA and an equity investment of $50 million to $150 million for a controlling stake in a North American company. Smaller businesses usually join one of its existing platforms as add-ons.
Does Frontenac buy IT services or managed service providers?
Yes. IT services is one of the services areas it lists. It built Integris by merging several managed service providers and sold it to OMERS Private Equity at the end of 2024, and it now owns RedHelm, which grew out of Ideal Integrations buying 1Path in December 2024.
What is Frontenac's CEO1ST approach?
Frontenac pairs each investment with an experienced operator from that industry. Before a deal these partners help study the sector and meet management, and after closing they may serve as chairman, CEO or lead director of the company.
How large is Frontenac's current fund?
Frontenac XIII closed in January 2025 with $900 million of commitments, well above its $700 million target. The fund before it, Frontenac XII, raised $520 million.
Sources
- S1Frontenac home page Accessed October 19, 2026
- S2Frontenac: Investment Strategy and Criteria Accessed October 19, 2026
- S3Frontenac: Investment Portfolio Accessed October 19, 2026
- S4Frontenac Closes Oversubscribed Fund XIII at $900 Million (January 23, 2025) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S5Frontenac 2025 Year in Review Accessed October 19, 2026
- S6Frontenac: SureTruck Fleet Services Accessed October 19, 2026
- S7Frontenac Announces Recapitalization of Bill Gosling Outsourcing (March 26, 2026) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S8Frontenac: Private Equity for the Services Industry Accessed October 19, 2026
- S9Frontenac: Latest News and Perspectives Accessed October 19, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Frontenac. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction