Acquisition strengthens Kleinfelder’s gas utilities and pipeline services
Chicago, IL, October 20, 2020 – Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”) and portfolio company The Kleinfelder Group, Inc. (“Kleinfelder”), a leading engineering, construction management, design, and environmental professional services firm, are pleased to announce that Kleinfelder has acquired Gas Transmission Systems, Inc. (“GTS” or the “Company”). The acquisition bolsters Kleinfelder’s U.S. market position as an industry-leading gas utilities and pipeline services expert.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, GTS provides pipeline engineering, consulting and program management services to gas utilities and pipeline operators with a focus on infrastructure integrity management and rehabilitation. The combination will further expand Kleinfelder’s energy infrastructure services and capabilities. GTS operates out of five offices throughout California, Arizona and Georgia.
“We are excited to partner with GTS and its talented team, and we look forward to supporting them in GTS’s next phase of growth.”
Nathan Brown, Managing Director
Louis Armstrong, President and CEO of Kleinfelder, noted, “As a well-established gas utilities and pipeline services firm, GTS is a strong addition to Kleinfelder. This transaction aligns with our strategic direction and strengthens Kleinfelder’s service capabilities for utilities across the U.S. The specialized expertise of GTS will accelerate Kleinfelder’s growth in the power and utilities market and position the firm for further expansion.”
Nathan Brown, Managing Director at Wind Point Partners, commented, “GTS exemplifies our acquisition strategy of acquiring complementary businesses that expand and strengthen Kleinfelder’s service offerings, geographic reach, and customer base. We are excited to partner with GTS and its talented team, and we look forward to supporting them in GTS’s next phase of growth.”
GTS’s organizational structure will remain under the direction of Ben Campbell, who has been GTS President since early 2020. “GTS is very excited to be partnering with Kleinfelder,” said Mr. Campbell. “Similar to GTS, Kleinfelder has a great reputation for delivering high quality technical services to its clients. Together, we will be able to provide even more vertically integrated services and solutions to benefit our clients. I look forward to an extraordinary future working together.”
GTS represents the fourth acquisition for Kleinfelder since partnering with Wind Point in November 2018. Kleinfelder’s acquisition strategy will continue to focus on acquiring leading engineering, environmental and professional services firms with complementary employee-focused cultures and a trusted commitment to clients.
Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel and KPMG provided transaction advisory and tax services to Kleinfelder. Senex Advisory served as sell-side financial advisors.
