Riverside Forms Latest Portfolio Company CertaSite

CertaSite Committed to Acquiring Additional Fire Protection Companies

The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, has formed CertaSite, a fire and life safety platform that is committed to the highest levels of customer service, responsiveness, building safety and code compliance. To date, the CertaSite family includes County Fire Protection, Company One, Approved Protection Systems, Field’s Fire Protection and Spears Fire and Safety Services.

“We are thrilled to work with CertaSite CEO Jeff Wyatt to build a business in the fire and life safety market,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “During our partnership, we look to bring additional businesses under the CertaSite umbrella, assisting with improvements in technology and innovation, growth-driven sales strategies and professional development opportunities for their employees.”

With more than 30 years of experience in the fire and life safety industry, CertaSite CEO Jeff Wyatt most recently served as President of Koorsen Fire & Security, one of the largest privately-owned life safety companies in the industry.

“Our focus on people is where it starts. With a mission to be the most trusted and simplified life safety solution in the market, we started with offering training that offers an opportunity to stay up to industry code,” said Wyatt. “Our focus on people carries through to acquisitions, where we look to preserve the legacy of these often family-owned businesses, offering employees development and career advancement and customers expanded services and support. Along with Riverside, we are investing in what they spent a lifetime building.”

CertaSite is another example of Riverside’s commitment to investing in the business services industry. To date, the firm has completed more than 230 investments in this area and has a team of global experts dedicated to growing companies in this specialization.

“The market for fire protection businesses is stronger than ever, and it’s a great time for founders to sell,” said Riverside Partner Alan Peyrat. “We are specifically looking for full-service fire protection companies, specializing in the sales, service, inspection and design of fire and life safety equipment including extinguishers, sprinklers, alarm systems and suppression systems.”

Working with Schlachet and Peyrat on the deal were Operating Partner Ervin Cash, Principal John McKernan and Assistant Vice President Kenneth Johnson. Principal of Origination Cheryl Strom sourced the deal for Riverside.