Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Sells Encore Fire Protection

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced today that it has sold its portfolio company Encore Fire Protection (“Encore” or the “Company”) to funds advised by Permira, a global investment firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Encore is a leading provider of fire protection services across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the Company delivers testing and inspection, maintenance and repair, and installation services to commercial clients across a variety of industries. Encore services the full spectrum of critical fire safety needs for its customers with end-to-end capabilities across fire alarm, suppression, extinguisher, and sprinkler systems.

“We are very proud of what Encore has accomplished since we invested in the Company,” said Micah Levin, Partner of LLCP. “During our partnership, Encore completed significant investments in key management hires, technology systems, sales team expansion, and operational resources to accelerate organic growth. We also executed a highly successful acquisition strategy to drive geographic expansion and enhance market density. We wish Encore all the best in their next chapter of growth with Permira.”

Ted Jeon, Managing Director of LLCP, commented, “Route-based services has long been a core LLCP investment vertical, and the significant growth and transformation of Encore during our ownership is a prime example of our sector expertise and value creation playbook at work. We are pleased to have supported Encore’s tremendous progress over the last four years.”

Jeremy O’Connor, CEO of Encore, added, “Our entire team is grateful for LLCP’s close support and collaboration through this phase of unprecedented growth. LLCP’s strategic insights and deep sector knowledge have been instrumental in scaling our business, and Encore is eager to embark on an exciting new chapter in our history with the support of our new partner, Permira.”

Encore was an investment of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Fund VI, L.P.

Harris Williams and Robert W. Baird & Co. served as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to LLCP and Encore in connection with the transaction.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm with a 40-year track record of investing across various targeted sectors, including Business Services, Franchising & Multi-unit, Education & Training, and Engineered Products & Manufacturing. LLCP utilizes a differentiated Structured Private Equity investment strategy, combining debt and equity capital investments in portfolio companies. LLCP believes that by investing in a combination of debt and equity securities, it offers management teams growth capital in a highly tailored, flexible investment structure that can be a more attractive alternative than traditional private equity.

LLCP’s global team of dedicated investment professionals is led by 10 partners who have worked at LLCP for an average of 20 years. Since inception, LLCP has managed approximately $16.3 billion of institutional capital across 15 investment funds and has invested in over 100 portfolio companies. LLCP and its affiliates currently manage approximately $12 billion of assets and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.