Argosy Private Equity News

Wize Solutions (“Wize”), an Argosy Private Equity portfolio company, completed the acquisition of Tech Products, ESSI, ESSI Midwest, and Warehouse Equipment Solutions (“WES”) (together, the “Companies”). This is the second add-on acquisition completed by Wize since Argosy’s initial investment in December 2023.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wize is a full-service installer of warehouse racking, automation, and dock & door systems, serving manufacturers and distributors across all 50 states and internationally. Wize primarily employs its own installation crews rather than relying on subcontractors. Since Argosy’s investment, Wize has more than doubled revenue and headcount.

Based in Texas and Illinois, the Companies are a family-owned group of warehouse installation businesses providing pallet racking, shelving, mezzanine, and pick module installation, as well as conveyor and automation installation through Tech Products. The Companies are approximately the same size as Wize and add approximately 190 field employees in Texas and the Midwest. The acquisition adds a conveyor installation capability that has been a priority for Wize and its customers, diversifies the customer bases, and positions the combined entity as a preeminent scaled, national installer of warehouse racking, conveyor, and automation systems.

“We are excited to welcome the teams from ESSI, ESSI Midwest, Tech Products and WES into the Wize Solutions family,” said Tyson Bigelow, CEO of Wize Solutions. “These acquisitions represent an important step in our national growth strategy. They expand our geographic reach, strengthen our service capabilities, specifically in the conveyor and automation markets, while bringing additional experienced professionals into our organization.”

“We are excited to be joining forces with Wize Solutions,” said Paul Barbaro, Managing Partner, ESSI, ESSI Midwest, Tech Products, and WES. “Together, we will have the people, resources and national reach to deliver greater value along with a wider array of services that will cover all sectors of the Material Handling Industry. We are excited to be able to deliver these benefits to customers while maintaining the highest level of service and building on strong relationships our customers have come to expect.”

“We have been impressed by Paul and the teams at ESSI, ESSI Midwest, Tech Products and WES, and we believe their experience is a strong complement to Wize’s culture and operating model,” said Michael Bailey, Partner at Argosy Private Equity. “We look forward to supporting Tyson and the combined management team through integration and the next phase of Wize’s growth, including extending Wize’s investments in safety, training and technology across the combined business.”

Integration is underway, and employees and leadership from all four companies have joined Wize. Through its Value Acceleration Methodology (VAM), Argosy will work alongside management to align the organizational structure, standardize systems and processes, and build out the shared resources needed to support a larger business. These efforts are intended to create a foundation for continued organic growth and future add-on acquisitions.

About Argosy Private Equity

Argosy Private Equity, headquartered in Wayne, PA, is a lower middle market private equity firm dedicated to growing and professionalizing U.S. manufacturing, business services, and logistics companies, often family or founder owned. For over 25 years, Argosy has partnered with more than 140 investments, focusing on companies with substantial potential to grow.