Compass Group Announces Successful Exit of EPIC Systems to VINCI Energies

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compass Group Equity Partners has announced the successful exit from EPIC Systems, a national provider of industrial and process automation solutions. EPIC Systems has now joined VINCI Energies, a global powerhouse in energy, transportation, and communications infrastructure and a subsidiary of VINCI Group.

“Compass Group was a terrific partner for EPIC Systems; they brought a thesis-driven approach to industrial automation combined with in-house functional expertise through their Compass Guides program,” said Mike Higgins, CEO of EPIC Systems. “That expertise proved invaluable as we worked together with the Compass investment team to scale and grow EPIC Systems.”

EPIC Systems and Compass Group, both headquartered in St. Louis, MO, first partnered in 2018. Strategic initiatives such as the 2020 appointment of Mike Higgins as CEO, the 2022 hiring of a strategic-thinking CFO in Laurie Phillips, and expanded solution offerings within the industrial automation space contributed to a successful investment outcome.

Under Higgins’ leadership, the company sharpened its focus on sales and marketing, broadened its service offerings, and strengthened its position in the industrial automation sector. These initiatives enabled EPIC to explore new end markets, new geographies, and achieve additional growth within existing customer accounts. As a result, EPIC Systems achieved significant growth in both revenue and EBITDA during the investment period.

“EPIC is a great example of how Compass Group can partner with a company to create an opportunity-focused sales organization that complements existing technical expertise,” said Ryan Roepke, Director at Compass Group Equity Partners. “We’re proud of EPIC and excited to see the business and their people thrive in the next chapter.”

Bundy Group served as the investment banking advisor, while Armanino provided tax due diligence services, and Wipfli assisted with financial due diligence. Polsinelli provided legal counsel on the transaction.

About Compass Group Equity Partners

Compass Group Equity Partners is a St. Louis-based private equity firm with a record of success in partnering with and building lower middle-market companies. Founded in 2014, Compass Group brings a thesis-driven approach and decades of operational, financial, and strategic expertise to aid management teams in accelerating growth for long-term value creation. For more information, please visit www.cgep.com.