PE Weekly: Investors Collaborate with Founders in Partial Acquisitions

Montage Partners Backs Lighten Up. Private equity firm Montage Partners announced recently its investment in Lighten Up, a provider of lighting design, equipment, and technical production services for live events. The company’s founder and president will retain his ownership stake and continue to lead the business, a press release said.

Allied Industrial Acquires Majority Stake in Trinity. Industrial-focused private equity firm Allied Industrial Partners has acquired a majority stake in Trinity Industrial, an equipment rental and specialty services platform. Trinity services the industrial, utility, and energy infrastructure spaces across the Gulf Coast. The company’s founders and other members of senior management will retain ownership stakes.

Knox Lane Takes Cross Country Healthcare Private. Private investment firm Knox Lane has reached an agreement to acquire Cross Country Healthcare, a tech-driven healthcare workforce solutions company. The transaction values Cross Country at $437 million and takes the business private.

Citation Capital Backs World Travel Holdings. World Travel Holdings, a demand aggregation platform servicing the cruise industry, has received a strategic investment from Citation Capital. The PE firm has retained World Travel Holdings’ cofounders and co-CEOs, who will remain in their leadership positions and continue to hold ownership interests in the business.

Goldman Sachs Alternatives Acquires FGI Worldwide. The private equity business within Goldman Sachs Alternatives has acquired FGI Worldwide, a provider of working capital financing and trade credit insurance solutions. Backing from Goldman Sachs Alternatives will be used to expand FGI’s product offering.

Branford Castle’s Lafayette Instrument Acquires Sutter. Lafayette Instrument, a scientific instrumentation equipment manufacturer servicing the life sciences, polygraph, and human evaluation sectors, has acquired Sutter Instrument. Sutter provides precision scientific instruments for universities and research institutions. Lafayette is backed by private equity firm Branford Capital Partners.

Paceline Equity Exits R.E.L.A.M. Paceline Equity Partners, a private equity manager, reached an agreement to exit R.E.L.A.M., a lessor of maintenance-of-way and hi-rail equipment. Paceline Equity formed the platform through the combination of its acquisitions of R.E.L.A.M. and 1435 Rail, and since expanded its offering and completed two add-on acquisitions. The acquiring party was not disclosed.

Finback Closes $500 Million PE Fund. Finback Investment Partners has closed its second private equity fund with nearly $500 million in capital commitments. The Finback Investment Partners 2024 Fund, LP was oversubscribed and will continue the firm’s strategy of partnering with PE sponsors for buyout and growth investments.