Grand Rapids, MI, July 25 2024 – Blackford Capital is pleased to announce it has been recognized with two International M&A Awards by The M&A Advisor in the following categories:
- Deal of the Year ($10MM – $25MM) – Blackford Capital’s acquisition of Puerto Rico-based industrial automation leader, PACIV
- Private Equity Professional of the Year – Managing Director Jeffrey Johnson
With these awards, Blackford, a leading lower middle market private equity firm, has been recognized by The M&A Advisor an impressive ten times, including three Private Equity Firm of the Year honors, four Deal of the Year recognitions, and three Private Equity Professional of the Year honors, two of those for Blackford Managing Director Jeff Johnson.
“No one is more deserving of the Private Equity Professional of the Year award than Jeff Johnson,” said Martin Stein, Blackford Capital’s founder and managing director. “A consummate professional, Jeff leverages decades of finance, operations and restructuring expertise with an impressive ability to connect with both founders and advisors across the globe to drive growth, and create value with our portfolio companies and for our investors. I am honored to have Jeff as a senior member of the Blackford team.”
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Jeff served as Chairman of the Board of successfully exited Blackford portfolio companies Quality Aluminum Products (Buyouts Small Market Deal of the Year) and Ellison Bakery (M&A Advisor Consumer Staples Deal of the Year). He currently serves as Chairman of Mopec Group, a worldwide provider of capital equipment and consumables to the anatomical pathology marketplace, and PACIV, a leading provider of industrial automation products and services in the pharmaceutical and biopharma industries. He was previously recognized as PE Professional of the Year by the M&A Advisor at the 2023 Future of Dealmaking Summit and has also been named a 2022 Notable Money Manager by Crain’s Detroit Business.
“While I am truly honored to be recognized by the M&A Advisor as Private Equity Professional of Year, I cannot stress enough that this recognition is a testament to the skill and dedication of our entire team at Blackford, as well as the contributions of our exceptional portfolio company management teams,” said Johnson. “I am proud of our people and our portfolio company teams for their commitment to growth. Their desire to succeed is palpable and I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented and driven individuals in the industry.”
In addition to Jeff’s recognition as Private Equity Professional of the Year, Blackford’s acquisition of San Juan, Puerto Rico-based PACIV was seclected as the International M&A Private Equity Deal of the Year ($10MM – $25MM).
The PACIV acquisition launched a new platform for Blackford Capital, establishing the foundation for rapid growth in the automation sector. Despite a unique set of challenges, the Blackford team adeptly aligned the interests of stakeholders across distinct geographies, to ensure a seamless integration of the business. Not only did the team’s determination and ingenuity underscore the firm’s commitment to driving operational excellence and growth in lower middle market companies, the transaction propelled the company into new geographical territories and vertcals and set the stage for two add-on acquisitions – Data Science Automation and Eight12 Automation – in less than 12 months.
Presented by the M&A Advisor, the International M&A Awards celebrate the power of global collaboration and the pursuit of valuable opportunities. Jeff and Blackford’s PACIV deal team, along with Blackford Captial Senior Analyst John Gutmann, who was recently recognized with an Emerging Leaders Award, will be presented with these honors at the 15th Annual International M&A Awards Gala during the 2024 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit in September.
For more information, and to view a comprehensive list of the winners of the 15th Annual International M&A Awards by category, click here.