2024 Tech, Food, and Beverage M&A Trends in the Middle Market

In the last week, the technology, food, and beverage industries, which had a rocky year, saw a lot of dealmaking action as middle-market investors wrapped up 2024. Now, analysts are looking forward to 2025 with a new administration in Washington in mind. While there’s still a lot of unknowns about dealmaking in the middle market for the coming year, the overall sentiment is positive.

**Platform Investments:**

**- Bain Interested in Sizzling Platter:** Bain Capital is reportedly in talks to buy Sizzling Platter, the company behind Little Caesars and Jersey Mike’s, for over $1 billion. This deal would also include taking on the company’s debt, with Sizzling Platter also operating Dunkin’, Wingstop, and Jamba.

**- One Equity Partners Invests in Comau:** One Equity Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, recently acquired a majority stake in Comau, a company specializing in industrial automation and advanced robotics. This move establishes Comau investor Stellantis as a minority shareholder.

**- Highlander Acquires The Ergo Baby Carrier:** Highlander Partners has bought The Ergo Baby Carrier from Compass Diversified. The Ergo Baby Carrier includes brands like Ergobaby, Tula, and Belly Bandit, offering ergonomic products for babies and caregivers.

**Add-Ons:**

**- Duravant Acquires POSS:** Duravant, a provider of equipment and automation solutions for food processing, packaging, and material handling, has acquired POSS Design Limited, a company based in Toronto known for its protein processing solutions.

**- Roofing Services Solutions Expands:** Roofing Services Solutions, supported by Dunes Point Capital, has acquired Midwest Roofing, Siding & Windows. This acquisition enhances their re-roofing and building exterior services for both residential and commercial clients.

**Strategics:**

**- Inszone Insurance Grows Through Acquisition:** Inszone Insurance Services has acquired Roten & Company Insurance, a family-owned business. This move helps Inszone expand its personalized insurance solutions in Texas for businesses and individuals.

**Insights:**

**- Pitchbook’s Year in M&A:** Pitchbook looked back at M&A activity for the year, noting the strength of corporate acquirers and the expected rebound of private equity investments in the upcoming year. They highlight B2B products and services as the leading sector for M&A activity in the US in 2024, followed by information technology and the B2C sector.

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