#USA #Charlotte #May River Capital #Advanced Material Processing #Automated Handling Solutions

May River Capital Unites AMP and AHS

Introduction
In a significant development within the private equity sector, May River Capital has announced the merger of two of its renowned portfolio companies: Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS). This strategic move aims to create a more robust platform that delivers a diverse range of high-value processing and handling equipment, primarily targeting industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and chemicals. The newly formed entity will operate out of Charlotte, North Carolina, with specialized centers located in Marion, Iowa; Visalia, California; Manchester in the United Kingdom; and Frankfurt, Germany.

Background
May River Capital is a lower middle-market private equity firm based in Chicago, known for collaborating with businesses that have strong growth potential. With over two centuries of combined experience, the brands associated with AMP and AHS, including Marion, Kason, Cablevey, and Spiroflow, have set a high standard in meeting the complex material processing and handling needs of global clients.

Strategic Objectives
The merger seeks to amalgamate the strengths of both companies—leveraging AMP’s and AHS’s comprehensive offerings in mixing, drying, sieving, and conveyor systems—to develop streamlined and efficient processing lines that ensure reliability and hygiene for valuable materials. This union will also enable the sharing of management expertise, product lines, and technological innovations, ultimately enhancing customer service levels and operational reliability.

Steve Griesemer, a partner at May River Capital, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, highlighting the complementary nature of the companies involved. He stated, “We are excited to combine the strong management teams, complementary product offerings, and commercial and engineering expertise from AMP and AHS. This step will allow us to better serve our customers and marks the beginning of our next growth phase.”

Leadership Insights
Seth Vance, the CEO of the new merged platform, commented on the strategic implications of this merger, describing it as a key milestone that underscores their commitment to building a rare scaled asset with the necessary breadth of products and capabilities. “I’m thrilled to partner with our loyal customer base, as well as the management teams, to continue driving growth and innovation in our business,” he noted. This leadership vision focuses on agility in responding to customer needs and developing solutions that are sustainable and cost-effective.

Advisory and Financial Support
The merger has not only drawn attention for its potential impact but also for the supporting roles of various financial and legal advisors. Winston Strawn LLP, Paul Hastings LLP, and Robert W. Baird Co. served as corporate, debt, and financial advisors, respectively, ensuring that the merger process adheres to best practices in corporate governance and financial strategy. In addition, Kayne Anderson Private Credit and Northstar Capital provided debt financing to support this significant business combination.

Conclusion
May River Capital continues to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation within the industrial sector. By merging AMP and AHS, the firm is positioned to offer an unparalleled range of processing solutions that cater to a broad spectrum of applications within high-stakes industries. As this merger unfolds, stakeholders will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how the new entity capitalizes on its combined strengths to enhance client relations and operational efficiencies across its global markets. For more information about AMP and AHS, visit their respective websites at www.amprocessing.com and www.automatedhandling.com.