Alsip, Ill., March 10, 2022 – Zone Climate Services (“Zone”), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of Smart Care Equipment Solutions (“Smart Care”or the “Company”). The combination forms North America’s largest provider of comprehensive mechanical services, including complex rack refrigeration, stand-alone refrigeration, and hot-side cooking equipment.
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Smart Care is the largest provider of commercial food equipment services in North America with operations spanning all 50 states. The Company’s strong reputation and leading customer service have been built on the foundation of a high-quality technician base, an unmatched breadth of services and quick response times. Smart Care is OEM-agnostic with the ability to service more than 10,000 types of equipment for restaurant, food retail, healthcare and corporate customers.
Headquartered in Alsip, Ill., Zone is a leading provider of complex commercial and industrial rack refrigeration & HVAC services across the Midwest. Since its founding in 2002, Zone has developed a strong reputation for service quality and engineering expertise in the refrigeration systems market. The company serves hundreds of customers spanning grocers, convenience stores and warehouse operators.
The combined organization will operate under the Smart Care brand via two divisions – Smart Care Equipment Solutions and Smart Care Climate Solutions (formerly Zone Climate Services). Henry Lees-Buckley, current CEO of Zone, will serve as CEO of the combined organization. Mr. Lees-Buckley partnered with Wind Point in April 2021 to facilitate the original investment in Zone (then called Zone Mechanical Services) and possesses significant experience across route-based, trade-focused, and services-oriented businesses, including his time as President and CEO at Uni-Select (TSX: UNS), where he oversaw an extensive fleet of delivery vehicles, completed more than 40 acquisitions, and grew key business segments.
“We are extremely excited to join forces with Smart Care,”said Mr. Lees-Buckley. “The combination of these two companies is going to be a powerhouse in the North American mechanical services market. Together, we will be able to better serve our customers with a more holistic offering.”
Bill Emory, who previously served as CEO of Smart Care, has been named Chair of Smart Care Equipment Solutions and will provide strategic oversight to the business. Gyner Ozgul, who previously served as COO of Smart Care, has been named President and COO of Smart Care Equipment Solutions and will report to Mr. Lees-Buckley.
“This is a fantastic next step in the continued growth of Smart Care,”stated Mr. Emory. “Our combined resources and passionate employees will undoubtably deliver unmatched service and solutions for our customers.”
Konrad Salaber, Managing Director at Wind Point, commented, “The partnership with Smart Care greatly accelerates the combined organization’s opportunities for growth. Smart Care’s excellence in commercial food equipment services, combined with Zone’s expertise in commercial and industrial rack refrigeration & HVAC services, will allow both businesses to better serve customers and enter new regions. We are excited to support this next phase of growth while continuing to invest in our best-in-class technician base.”
Wind Point is an active investor in logistics and route-based services, with select current and former investments including Valicor, Quantix, Dicom, STG, and ATRG. Smart Care represents the second acquisition for Zone Climate Services under Wind Point’s ownership. Under the Smart Care brand, the business will continue to seek strategic acquisition opportunities, with a focus on leading commercial food equipment services as well as commercial and industrial refrigeration & HVAC service providers.
Kirkland & Ellis served as legal counsel to Zone. Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel to Smart Care.