Holy Smokes: Riverside Adds 12th Add-on to CertaSite Platform

The Riverside Company, a global private investor focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has invested in Premier Electronics (Premier). Based in Michigan, Premier provides fire and life safety system inspections, repairs, maintenance, and installations for retrofits and new construction. The investment is an add-on to Riverside’s CertaSite platform, a fire and life safety platform committed to the highest levels of customer service, responsiveness, building safety and code compliance.

CertaSite goes beyond compliance, focusing on partnerships and professionalism while providing customers a simplified and dependable solution to manage fire protection and life safety systems in commercial buildings.

“We are thrilled to bring Premier aboard our fast-growing CertaSite platform,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “This addition will increase CertaSite’s available technician capacity and expertise as we expand the company’s presence in the Midwestern U.S.”

CertaSite is another example of Riverside’s commitment to investing in the Business Services industry. To date, Riverside has invested in 280 platform and add-on companies in this sector and has a team of global experts dedicated to growing companies in this specialization.

“Premier’s industry expertise and reputation for high-quality customer service make it an excellent addition for CertaSite,” said Riverside Partner John McKernan. “During our partnership, we plan to invest in sales and marketing, improve technician utilization through the use of technology and training and cross-sell the existing customer base.”

In addition to Premier, and including CertaSite's platform investment, CertaSite has invested in 12 fire protection and life safety companies and is actively engaged in bringing new businesses under the platform's umbrella. To date, the CertaSite family includes: Advanced Fire (Pennsylvania), ABC Fire Extinguisher Co. (Ohio), Approved Protection Systems (Michigan), Approved Safety and Security (Indiana), Company One Suppression (Illinois and Iowa), County Fire Protection (Ohio), Erlich Fire Protection (Michigan), Field’s Fire Protection (Michigan), Great Lakes Fire & Safety Equipment (Michigan), Spears Fire & Safety (Michigan), Starfire Systems and Starfire Suppression Equipment (Wisconsin), and Marine Fire Sales and Service (Ohio).

Working with Schlachet and McKernan on the deal were Vice President Kenneth Johnson, Analyst Caitlin McGrath, Finance Director Bart Thielen and Operating Partner Ervin Cash. Principal of Origination Cheryl Strom sourced the deal for Riverside.