Universal Engineering Sciences And BDT Capital Partners Have Announced A Long-Term Strategic Partnership
BDT Capital Partners | July 30, 2021
Universal Engineering Sciences® (UES), a national leading engineering and consulting firm specialising in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, building code compliance, threshold inspections, and environmental consulting, has recently revealed that BDT Capital Partners, LLC ("BDT") has agreed to create a meaningful strategic investment in the company through an affiliate agreement. BDT, which is linked with BDT & Co., LLC, a merchant bank that provides long-term specialised capital to family- and founder-led firms, will become the majority stakeholder of UES, combining existing shareholders Palm Beach Capital, company founders, and the management group. Michael Burke, former AECOM Chairman and CEO and current UES Chairman, will remain in his current position.
"UES is an industry leading geotechnical engineering, building materials testing, and environmental consulting services firm with an expanding national footprint," stated Ben Sher, Partner at BDT Capital Partners. "BDT's long-term commitment to the UES and Palm Beach Finance is consistent with our merchant banking approach of providing patient capital to founder and family-led firms, comparable to the enterprises that have formed the backbone of the UES platform."
Nate Ward, co-founder of Palm Beach Capital, and industry veteran Gary H. Elzweig, PE, F.ASCE founded the UES family of firms. Elzweig will continue to serve as Vice-Chairman of the firm. Nate Ward and Palm Beach Capital will continue to be significant investors and will have board involvement.
"We are delighted to work with BDT because of their experience investing in and coaching founder-led enterprises with transformative growth possibilities," Ward added.
"We would like to thank our partners, as well as every member of the UES team, for their contributions that contributed to this critical milestone. UES will realise its aim of being the nation's most sought after, respected, and successful geotechnical, building materials testing, inspections, and environmental consulting firm with BDT as the principal investor."
"The geotechnical engineering, construction materials, and environmental services industries are very fragmented," Burke said. "I see a tremendous deal of opportunity to identify and partner with strong, well-run businesses that will increase our portfolio and geographic reach." "As the country focuses on repairing and improving existing infrastructure, we play an important role in servicing engineering firms, developers, contractors, and architects in all of our locations. I am excited to work with this outstanding leadership team as they guide UES through our next chapter of tremendous growth and development."
Founded in 1964 by Sy Israel, UES has over six decades of expertise and recognition as the best engineering and consulting firm in the geotechnical engineering area, and is well-positioned to serve the demands of commercial, residential, and civic customers nationwide. UES has recently merged with GFA International, Inc., NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services, Contour Engineering, Wallace-Kuhl & Associates, Construction Testing & Engineering, SUMMIT Engineering, Laboratory & Testing, P.C., GEOServices, LLC, McGinley & Associates, and Geotechnology Inc., making it one of the largest and most resource-rich organisations of its kind in the country.
UES, a privately held corporation, has made a commitment to organic expansion as well as strategic acquisition. UES has locations in high-growth regions throughout the South, Midwest, and West, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Washington, D.C., California, Utah, Nevada, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
The investment is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary restrictions.
About Universal Engineering Sciences
Universal Engineering Sciences, based in Orlando, is a fast-growing engineering and consulting firm with nearly six decades of experience in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, building code compliance, threshold inspections, and environmental consulting. UES is regarded as an industry pioneer, at the forefront of evolving technology, best practises, and relevant legislation. Public and private clientele are represented in projects ranging from transportation and healthcare to commercial and education. UES engineers, geologists, certified inspectors, and scientists are uncompromising in their commitment to excellence, treating each project as an opportunity to create long-term client relationships.
UES recently ranked first on the Zweig Group Hot Firm List, which recognises the fastest-growing firms in the architectural, engineering, planning, environmental, and construction (AEC) industry. UES consults on projects of all kinds, with 2,500 professionals spread over 60 branches in 17 states, to assist deliver critical infrastructure and develop safe and successful communities.
About BDT Capital Partners
BDT Capital Partners provides long-term, distinctive capital to family and founder-led enterprises. Over the course of its investment funds, the firm has raised more than $18 billion, and its worldwide investor base has invested an additional $10 billion in debt and stock in the funds' portfolio firms. BDT & Company, the firm's affiliate, is a merchant bank that works with family and founder-led businesses to achieve their strategic and financial goals. BDT & Company offers problem-solving expertise and access to a world-class network of business owners and leaders.