Lower middle market private equity firm
Platte River Equity
- HeadquartersDenver, CO S2
- Founded2006 S2
- Websiteplatteriverequity.com
- Last verifiedOctober 26, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $5M to $30M S3 |
|---|---|
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S3 |
| Geography | North America S3 |
| Sectors | Distribution, Industrial & Manufacturing |
What Platte River Equity buys
Platte River Equity is a Denver private equity firm founded in 2006 that buys industrial companies in the lower middle market. It has raised five funds with more than $1.7 billion of commitments, and its June 2026 purchase of Tallman Equipment was its 100th acquisition. New platforms usually have $5 million to $30 million of EBITDA, and the firm prefers majority control of founder-, entrepreneur- and family-owned businesses in North America. It looks for value-added distributors, critical service providers and engineered products makers in testing, inspection and compliance, environmental services, safety equipment, factory and building automation, backup power and electrical testing, and motion and flow control.
Add-ons of any size are welcome, and most of its deals are add-ons. TIPCO Technologies has made ten since December 2023, and MES Life Safety, which equips fire departments and other first responders, has bought several dealers since 2025. Owners of smaller distributors or service businesses in these niches are most likely to meet Platte River through one of these platforms or through newer ones such as Tallman, Team UIS and Chemtech-Ford Laboratories.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 26, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | MTS Threaded Products and AZ Hose PROTwo founder-owned businesses added to TIPCO Technologies, bringing it to ten add-ons since December 2023 | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| July 2026 | Fabrication UnlimitedLightweight conveyor belting distributor and fabricator added to Belt Power | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Jun 2026 | Tallman Equipment CompanyColumbus, Indiana supplier of lineman tools, equipment and services to electric utilities; the firm's 100th acquisition | Platform | Distribution | Source |
| Apr 2026 | Spartaco Tool GroupMaker of professional tools for linemen and technicians sold to an affiliate of CenterGate Capital | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| April 2026 | TechLabEnvironmental testing lab added to Chemtech-Ford Laboratories | Add-on | Source | |
| Jan 2026 | Turf Care Supply blending and packaging businessSold to Spring Valley USA; the remaining fertilizer business was renamed Allied Nutrients | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Jan 2026 | Team UISElectrical testing, maintenance and SCADA field services provider, acquired in partnership with its existing owners | Platform | Source | |
| Jan 2026 | MFG ChemicalSpecialty chemicals maker sold to Windjammer Capital; closed December 31, 2025 | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Nov 2025 | SeaWestern Inc.Added to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Nov 2025 | Gasket Specialties, Inc.Added to TIPCO Technologies | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Nov 2025 | Safety Inc.Added to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Nov 2025 | Northeast Rescue SystemsAdded to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Sep 2025 | General Fire ApparatusAdded to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Aug 2025 | WC Fire Safety, Inc.Added to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Aug 2025 | Chemtech-Ford LaboratoriesSandy, Utah water, soil and waste testing lab; first platform under the firm's environmental services thesis | Platform | Source | |
| Jun 2025 | DW IndustriesAdded to TIPCO Technologies | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Jun 2025 | Illini Fire Equipment and FESSI, Inc.Added to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Apr 2025 | Beaty FertilizerAdded to Turf Care Supply | Add-on | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Mar 2025 | Potter Associates Inc.Added to TIPCO Technologies | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Mar 2025 | Flexline, Inc.Added to TIPCO Technologies | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Feb 2025 | Building Controls & SolutionsDallas distributor of building automation and controls with 24 branches, bought from LKCM Headwater Investments | Platform | Distribution | Source |
| Jan 2025 | Sparks Belting Company, Inc.Added to Belt Power | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Jan 2025 | West Shore FireAdded to MES Life Safety | Add-on | Distribution | Source |
| Nov 2024 | Tiger-SulSold to Tessenderlo Kerley | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S4.
Distribution
- Tallman Equipment Company Current
- Building Controls & Solutions Current
- TIPCO Technologies Current
- Evolution Motion Solutions Current
- Belt Power Current
- MES Life Safety Current
Industrial & Manufacturing
- Allied Nutrients (formerly Turf Care Supply) Current
Other
- Team UIS Current
- Chemtech-Ford Laboratories Current
Past investments: Spartaco Tool Group, MFG Chemical, Tiger-Sul
Greymont’s take
How Platte River Equity fits a seller
Platte River suits owners of industrial distributors and specialized service companies who want a buyer that already knows their niche, after two decades and 100 acquisitions in industrial distribution and related services. A sale usually hands majority control to Platte River while the founders and managers keep running the business: Team UIS was bought together with its existing owners, and Tallman's chief executive told customers to expect the same team after the deal. The firm's FLOWS program brings help with systems, leadership, pricing and add-on integration, so owners should expect more reporting and process change than under private ownership.
Platte River sells its companies after a holding period, often to another private equity firm, as with Spartaco to CenterGate Capital and MFG Chemical to Windjammer Capital. Owners should ask how long the firm plans to hold the business and how any rolled equity is treated when it sells.
Questions owners ask
What size companies does Platte River Equity buy?
New platform investments usually have $5 million to $30 million of EBITDA. For add-ons to its existing companies, Platte River says it will look at businesses of any size.
Which industries does Platte River focus on?
Industrial niches with steady demand: testing, inspection and compliance; safety and first responder equipment; factory and building automation; backup power and electrical testing; and hoses, fittings, seals, valves and filtration. It invests in distributors, service providers and engineered products companies in these areas.
Does Platte River buy environmental services companies?
It lists environmental services as a target and bought Chemtech-Ford Laboratories, a Utah water and soil testing lab, in August 2025, then added TechLab in April 2026. So far that work is testing and analysis rather than waste hauling or disposal.
Do founders stay involved after Platte River invests?
It aims to partner with founders and existing management. It acquired Team UIS in January 2026 in partnership with the existing owners, and Tallman's leaders said the same team would keep serving customers after the June 2026 deal.
Sources
- S1Platte River Equity home page Accessed October 26, 2026
- S2Platte River Equity: About Accessed October 26, 2026
- S3Platte River Equity: Strategy (investment criteria) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S4Platte River Equity: Portfolio (current and realized) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S5Platte River Equity: News Outlet and Press Releases Accessed October 26, 2026
- S6Platte River Equity Partners with Tallman Equipment Company (June 9, 2026) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S7Platte River Equity Announces the Acquisition of Team UIS (January 14, 2026) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S8Platte River Equity Announces the Acquisition of Chemtech-Ford Laboratories (August 7, 2025) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S9Platte River Equity 2026 Mid-Year Update Accessed October 26, 2026
- S10Platte River Equity Announces the Sale of Spartaco Tool Group (April 9, 2026) Accessed October 26, 2026
- S11Platte River Equity sells MFG Chemical to Windjammer Capital (January 8, 2026) Accessed October 26, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Platte River Equity. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction