A Blazing Success: The Riverside Company Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell Performance Systems Integration in Red-Hot Strategic Deal

The Riverside Company (Riverside), a global investment firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has signed a definitive agreement to sell Performance Systems Integration (PSI), the leading regional provider of fire and life safety services in the Pacific Northwest, to Summit Fire & Security LLC (Summit). The transaction is expected to close pending customary regulatory approvals.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, PSI delivers comprehensive fire and life safety solutions to commercial and institutional clients, including system inspection, maintenance, monitoring, repairs and new installations. Under Riverside’s hold, PSI has grown into the largest independent fire life safety provider in the Pacific Northwest, serving more than 21,000 customers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California and Hawaii.

“PSI’s journey with Riverside has been one of focused growth, innovation and industry leadership,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “We’re proud to have helped build a market-leading platform that’s made a meaningful impact on the communities it serves, and positioned it for long-term success as part of Summit.”

During Riverside’s ownership, PSI underwent a significant transformation:

• Completed 16 strategic add-on investments, growing from four locations to 14 and expanding across five states
  
  
• Increased employee count from 108 to more than 450, including growing its technician team from 64 to 279
  
  
• Implemented scalable technology systems, invested in a technician training academy and expanded its sales organization to support organic and cross-sell growth opportunities

“From day one, our partnership with Riverside helped accelerate PSI’s vision and scale,” said PSI CEO Jodi Kohler. “We’re excited to join Summit, bringing together a shared passion for safety, reliability and service, while continuing to protect what matters most.”

Summit Fire & Security, a national fire protection and life safety leader, brings deep expertise and expanded resources to support PSI’s next chapter. The combination will create a more robust platform for innovation, customer responsiveness and technician development.

“We are excited to see the business continue to grow under Summit’s ownership,” said Riverside Partner John McKernan. “It has been a privilege to work alongside PSI’s leadership team given its integrity, strategic insight and focus, all of which we see as important long-term assets for the business.”

The transaction marks a major milestone in Riverside’s Business Services and Fire & Life Safety (FLS) specialization, underscoring the firm’s commitment to building essential, high-quality service platforms. PSI is one of three regionally focused FLS investments managed by Riverside and is the first to exit.

Working with Schlachet and McKernan on this deal for Riverside were Assistant Vice President Aakeem Andrada, Associate Nik Kassogue, Analyst Kyle Davis, Operating Partner Shaun Kelley and Finance Director Chrissie Yim. Riverside Senior Partner Joe Lee originated the PSI platform investment, and Origination Partner Cheryl Strom played a key role in sourcing numerous add-on investments.

Baird served as lead advisor on the transaction, along with Bundy Group and Fairmount Partners.