Riverside is Fired Up with Latest Add-on to CertaSite Platform

The Riverside Company, a global private investor focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has invested in Craynon Fire Protection (Craynon). Based in Dayton, Ohio, Craynon provides fire and life safety system inspections, repairs and 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.

“We are excited to have Craynon join the ever-growing CertaSite platform,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “With Craynon’s strong technical capabilities around servicing and installing complex sprinkler systems and top of the line service, we believe it is going to be instrumental in the growth of the platform.”

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.

“For 20 years, Craynon has provided excellent service to their loyal client base,” said Riverside Partner John McKernan. “The company has a strong team of technicians, and our goal is to increase technician utilization through technology, training and career development opportunities.”

In addition to Craynon, and including CertaSite's platform investment, CertaSite has invested in 13 fire protection and life safety companies and is actively engaged in bringing new businesses under the platform's umbrella. To date, CertaSite has invested in 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), Marine Fire Sales and Service (Ohio), and Premier Electronics (Michigan).

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, Origination, Cheryl Strom sourced the deal for Riverside.