Architectural Testing, Inc.
Case Study
Case Study
Initial Business Overview
Provider of performance testing, certification services and related professional services to the building products industry
Footprint | 9 accredited laboratories, 4 regional offices across the United States and Canada | ||
Clients | OEMs in the fenestration industry, building owners, developers, general contractors, installers and architects | ||
Scope | Windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls and other products on the outside of the building envelope |
Investment Thesis
- Established provider of fenestration testing services in a fragmented industry
- Recurring third-party testing requirements on an upward trajectory
- Attractive and growing margins and conservative leverage profile
- Strong and experienced senior management team
Why Granite Bridge Partners?
- Founder seeking financial partner to assist with succession and to accelerate growth through organic and acquisitive channels
Compelling Situation
- Diverse customer base with largest customer accounting for less than 3% of revenue
- Increasing regulatory (local, state and federal), marketing and energy conservation-related growth drivers
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Growth potential via product, service and geographic expansions
- Regional laboratories & field representatives, service & equipment offerings, end-market coverage, and certification programs
Value Creation
Throughout the five-and-one-half-year investment period, the investment team worked with management to drive organic and acquisition-led growth in the business. During this time, Architectural Testing:
- Improved EBITDA margin by roughly 160bps and fostered EBITDA growth at an 8% CAGR from acquisition to exit
- Acquired three add-ons and continued to grow organically through product- and service-based expansions
- Transitioned to and elevated a new CEO, and added marketing and CFO functions
- Grew footprint to 14 accredited laboratories, 9 regional offices, and an additional 5 inspection offices while adding testing capabilities at existing locations
- Penetrated new disciplines including roofing, fire, steel studs, railing, and blast
Result
Architectural Testing was sold to an internationally-headquartered public company in December 2013
Company & Transaction Highlights
Sector
Test & Measurement
Headquarters
York, PA
Add-on Companies
Retro-Specs Ltd.
ETC Laboratories
Hurricane Test Laboratories
ETC Laboratories
Hurricane Test Laboratories
Transaction Type
Control & Recapitalization
Acquisition Date
May 2008
Exit Date
December 2013
Disclaimer: The track record information relates to portfolios managed by the principals of Granite Bridge Partners LLC (“Granite Bridge”), who were primarily responsible for account performance results, while they were employed by Wafra, Inc. (“Wafra”). Granite Bridge intends to pursue substantially the same or similar strategy that was pursued while the principals were employed by Wafra. As an internal group at Wafra, the track record is related to proprietary portfolios, which maintained an expense structure materially different than the expenses to be charged by Granite Bridge. Any portfolio investments contained herein were selected based on objective non-performance-based criteria and are not meant to be indicative or reflective of the portfolio of any fund or account managed by Granite Bridge. Rather, such case studies are meant to exemplify Granite Bridge’s analysis and execution of its investment strategy. Obviously, not all investments are successful and profitable. As such, the examples contained herein should not be viewed as representative of all investments made by Granite Bridge, but simply as examples of the types of successful investing Granite Bridge strives for. There is no guarantee that any fund managed by Granite Bridge will find similar opportunities or that any similar investments will be included in any such fund’s portfolio.