CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (January 13, 2025) — FourBridges Capital Advisors, a leading lower middle market investment banking firm that helps business owners sell their companies, announced today that Ad-Tech CCI, Inc. (“Ad-Tech”) has been acquired by Galco Industrial Electronics (“Galco”), a portfolio company of Freeman Spogli & Co. FourBridges structured and negotiated the deal on behalf of James (Jim) Kiessling and Rex Rothrock, co-owners of Ad-Tech.

Founded in 1986 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ad-Tech distributes industrial controls, automation components and identification products for manufacturers and industrial clients. In addition to a product line that includes circuit breakers, power supplies, relays, sensors, terminal blocks, PLCs and I/O devices, Ad-Tech also offers custom labels and terminal markers, and din rail assembly.  

Over nearly four decades serving the Mid-Atlantic region, Ad-Tech has built a reputation for excellent customer service. Long-standing clients include Tyco, Honeywell, Schneider Electric and Johnson-Controls. 

“Joining Galco is an exciting step for our team, our suppliers, and especially our customers,” said Ad-Tech President, Jim Kiessling. “Our customers will continue to work with the same knowledgeable people they know and trust, while gaining access to Galco’s expanded product offering, online tools, engineering support, and specialized services that help minimize downtime and improve productivity.”

Owned by prominent private equity firm, Freeman Spogli & Co., Galco is a global distributor of industrial electronics and automation components. Serving more than 100,000 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and top global suppliers, Galco serves a diverse range of sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, utilities and industrial manufacturing.

“While Jim and I have been in business for nearly 40 years, we have never sold a business, and to be honest, didn’t know how to go about it,” said Ad-Tech co-founder, Rex Rothrock. “FourBridges stepped in and ran a seamless sales process that resulted in an exceptional outcome not only for Jim and me, but for the company’s employees, customers and suppliers.”

“We were thrilled to help Ad-Tech achieve its goal of finding a partner that valued its employees and customer relationships built over the last  four decades,” said FourBridges Managing Director, Chris Rowe. “It was a pleasure to help these industry veterans achieve their ultimate objective of allowing Rex to retire successfully while finding Jim a partner that could help grow Ad-Tech and continue to provide exceptional customer service to its longstanding customers.”

With Jim at the helm, Ad-Tech will maintain its long-standing customer and supplier relationships, and will expand its offerings by leveraging Galco’s industrial distribution network, e-commerce capabilities, engineering and technical support, and repair and service offerings.  The acquisition will strengthen Galco’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and create cross-selling opportunities across its product and service offerings.

The FourBridges deal team included Chris Rowe and Andrew Ball. Legal advisors to Ad-Tech included Rosemarie Gavin-Casner with Gavin Casner Law, and Mark Turner and Morgan Ownbey with Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C. Tax and accounting support was provided by Ted Brosius of Boles Metzger Brosius & Walborn P.C.

About Ad-Tech
Founded in 1986, Ad-Tech CCI, Inc. is a regional distributor of industrial controls, automation components, and identification products serving manufacturers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Product offerings include circuit breakers, contactors, PLCs and I/O devices, power supplies, relays, sensors, terminal blocks, and related components, along with custom labels and terminal markers. For more information, visit Ad-TechCCI.com.

About Galco
Founded in 1975, Galco Industrial Electronics is a global distributor and service provider of industrial automation products, offering expert repair, field services, and engineering solutions. With millions of products in stock and industry-leading customer support, Galco is a trusted partner for OEMs, system integrators, and maintainers of commercial and industrial facilities worldwide. For more information, visit Galco.com.

About FourBridges
FourBridges Capital is a leading lower middle market investment banking firm that represents business owners who are thinking about selling their company, making an acquisition, or refinancing. The partners run a proven process to identify quality buyers, achieve the best value, ensure the right fit, and close the deal fast. For more information, visit fourbridgescapital.com.