#USA #Boston #Private Equity #Watermill Group #Cooper Turner Beck

Watermill Group Completes Sale of Cooper Turner Beck to Waterland Private Equity

The Watermill Group, known for its strategic approach to private investments, has recently announced a pivotal transaction involving the sale of Cooper Turner Beck (CTB) to Waterland Private Equity. This sale signals a transformative phase for CTB, which has established itself as a leading provider of safety-critical fastening solutions across various demanding industries.

Growth and Transformation of CTB

Under Watermill Group's management, CTB underwent substantial growth, expanding from three to eight countries and increasing its footprint globally. The company currently operates 21 facilities worldwide and has significantly doubled its workforce. This period of expansion coincided with CTB's ascent to becoming the top supplier of safety-critical fastening systems within the energy sector worldwide.

CTB specializes in producing fastening solutions essential for various industries, including energy, power generation, and construction. The company’s products are relied upon by leading clients to ensure high performance in challenging environments. This focus on quality and innovation has paved the way for CTB to excel and achieve remarkable market share gains and profitability in recent quarters.

Anthony Brown, CEO of Cooper Turner Beck, shared insights on the company's strategies, noting, "Together with Watermill Group, we have concentrated our strategy on serving the total energy market through our organic developments and acquisitions. This approach resulted in us expanding our customer base, product portfolio, and global footprint. This broader market strategy, driven by the dedication of our people, led to our increased profitability and growth."

The Future Under Waterland’s Leadership

As CTB transitions to Waterland Private Equity, the outlook appears promising. Waterland, a European private equity firm known for scaling industrial businesses, is expected to support CTB in its next growth phase. Steven Karol, Managing Partner at Watermill Group, expressed pride in CTB's accomplishments during its tenure under the Watermill umbrella. He noted that the partnership has successfully shaped a shared vision, reinforced the company’s commitment to quality, and supported its international expansion.

Continuing the Legacy of Success

The sale of Cooper Turner Beck to Waterland is not merely a business transaction; it reflects a solid strategy that leverages CTB’s comprehensive market understanding while fostering an environment for further growth. Stakeholders are optimistic that the expertise Waterland brings will facilitate continued innovation and market leadership for CTB.

For this transaction, financial advisory services were provided by Baird, while Jasso Lopez and CMS offered legal services, ensuring a smooth transition during this significant change.

Conclusion

Watermill Group's strategic divestiture of Cooper Turner Beck underscores its commitment to fostering growth and achieving excellence through transformative management practices. With the company now positioned for its next chapter under Waterland’s leadership, the future looks bright for CTB, as it embarks on this new journey in the business landscape. This transaction is yet another step in Watermill’s long-standing approach of transforming and scaling market-leading companies, demonstrating its effectiveness and vision in the investment space.