News

Bertram Capital has acquired Garland, Texas-based BearCom, a provider of wireless communication solutions for two-way radios and other voice and data technologies. No financial terms were disclosed. BlackArch Partners LLC advised BearCom on the deal. BearCom was backed by LKCM Headwater Investments.

PRESS RELEASE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (PRWEB) JULY 23, 2018

BlackArch Partners LLC (“BlackArch”) is pleased to announce that it has advised BearCom (the “Company”) on its sale to an affiliate of Bertram Capital (“Bertram”) in partnership with BearCom’s management team. BearCom, headquartered in Garland, TX, is North America’s largest and pre-eminent provider of wireless communication solutions for two-way radios and other voice and data technologies. BlackArch was retained by BearCom and its financial partner, LKCM Headwater Investments (“LKCM”) to serve as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor.
BlackArch’s successful outcome with the BearCom shareholders is a prime example of how its deep experience across several disciplines drives superior execution. Areas of BlackArch differentiation included:

Strong chemistry and strategic alignment with the original founders, current management and LKCM;
A clear understanding of the shareholders’ goals and objectives and a tailored solution to meet their needs;
A holistic view of the capabilities BearCom delivers to its customers and OEM partners while leveraging institutional knowledge within its Tech-Enabled Business Services and Distribution practice areas; and
Recognition of BearCom’s market-leading platform.

Mark Kroh, Chief Executive Officer of BearCom, commented: “BlackArch provided incredible, tireless support and guidance to our management team on both a personal and professional level leading up to and throughout our process to select a new investment partner. At the end of the day, business is personal, and not only were they able to reflect the strengths of BearCom, but also the values of collaboration, transparency, respect and fun that are the fabric of our culture. We could not be more excited with our new partners at Bertram Capital and look forward to our next phase of growth. We’d welcome the opportunity to work with BlackArch again.”

Jerry Denham, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of BearCom, added: “BearCom would like to thank LKCM for their amazing support in our journey to become the industry’s leading communication solutions provider. Furthermore, BlackArch Partners was able to distill Mark’s vision and describe each detail of my life’s work in partnership with our complete executive team of Brent Bisnar, Jerry Noonan, Nader Mortazavi and Patrick Noonan. We have not seen an advisor excel in a strategic, tactical and collaborative way like our friends at BlackArch – thank you!”

Finally, Brad Wallace and Joel Stewart, Partner and Vice President at LKCM Headwater Investments, summarized the experience: “The BlackArch team did an outstanding job and delivered on everything they promised. Their experience, industry expertise, work ethic and attention to detail resulted in extremely sound guidance, a steady hand under pressure and skillful positioning of the business for an excellent outcome. We look forward to working with BlackArch in the future.”

Summary Highlights
Bertram Capital has partnered with management to acquire BearCom and fuel continued growth.
The Company’s unique business model allows it to serve the evolving communication needs of commercial and industrial customers by delivering a comprehensive offering of sales, service and rental solutions throughout its extensive operating footprint throughout North America.

Management will continue with its current strategic plan for growth and remain an integral part of the shareholder group during the Company’s next phase of growth.

BlackArch leveraged its deep end market and business model knowledge to achieve a superior outcome for management and the shareholders.

About BearCom
BearCom provides a broad line of high-performance wireless voice and data communications products, rentals, services, and complete mobility solutions. Founded in 1981, BearCom is North America’s largest provider of Land-Mobile Radio (“LMR”) and other communications solutions, serving customers from 50+ branch offices and with 700 people located throughout the U.S. and Canada. http://www.bearcom.com

About LKCM Headwater Investments
LKCM Headwater Investments is a Texas-based private investment firm affiliated with Luther King Capital Management, an SEC-registered investment firm established in 1979 with over $15.0B of AUM. LKCM Headwater’s proven investment discipline is centered around a long-term focus of investing in strategically well-positioned companies with opportunities to re-invest cash flows into multiple high return investment opportunities. Further, LKCM and its affiliates have a long history of successfully investing in and growing value-added and niche distributors. http://www.lkcmheadwater.com

About Bertram Capital
Bertram Capital is a private equity firm with over $1.4 billion in committed capital targeting investments in lower middle market companies. In addition to supplying strategic growth capital, Bertram Capital leverages proprietary processes and services, Bertram High-5SM and Bertram Labs, to empower its portfolio companies to unlock their full business potential. The Bertram High-5SM is an operationally-focused value creation strategy, which includes management augmentation, operational initiative implementation, complimentary business acquisition, sales and marketing improvements and leveraging technology and IP. The cornerstone of this strategy is Bertram Labs, its in-house technology team, which drives growth and value through digital marketing, e-commerce, big data and analytics, application development and internal and external platform optimization. http://www.bertramcapital.com

About BlackArch Partners
BlackArch Partners is a leading middle-market investment bank offering a full spectrum of advisory services to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. BlackArch addresses the needs of owner-operators, founders and shareholders of private companies with specialized services that include M&A advisory, strategic advisory and private capital solutions. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, BlackArch features a total of 12 industry-focused practices that cover all sectors of interest to middle-market investors; BlackArch professionals have closed more than 350 transactions in 16 countries on four continents. Please visit our website, http://www.blackarchpartners.com, for more details.