Turning up the Heat: Riverside Fuels Expansion with Investment in Fire and Life Safety

The Riverside Company, a global investment firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has invested in AC&M Fire Equipment (AC&M) as an add-on to its fire and life safety platform, Relay Fire and Safety (Relay). Relay provides life and safety system solutions for people and commercial properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

AC&M is headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, and provides fire extinguisher services and related product sales to commercial customers in the Boston metro area and throughout Western Massachusetts.

“AC&M strengthens Relay’s presence in New England, further establishing the platform’s presence in the region,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “This add-on expands Relay’s capabilities and deepens reach across Boston and beyond.”

“We are very excited to bring AC&M’s dedicated, industry-experienced quality team members under the Relay umbrella,” said Relay CEO Kevin Gray. “AC&M will help strengthen the suite of fire and life capabilities offered by Relay in the New England market, and we look forward to expanding our service offering to existing AC&M customers.”

Relay is committed to delivering high-quality customer service through its ‘single-point-of-management’ compliance services for all fire and life safety inspection, repair and installations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The combined business will drive growth by cross-selling services across the total customer base, investing in sales and marketing initiatives, and enhancing technician training.

This investment is another example of Riverside’s expertise in the Business Services sector. Riverside has invested in more than 390 platform and add-on companies in this sector since 1988 as part of its private equity and flexible capital strategies.

“We are excited to add AC&M to the Relay family and build upon their strong foundation,” added Riverside Senior Partner John McKernan. “This investment reflects Relay’s strategy to partner with companies that combine strong technicians with outstanding service.”

Working alongside Schlachet and McKernan on this transaction were Riverside Assistant Vice President Aakeem Andrada, Associate Austin Peko, Analyst Aneesh Bafna, Operating Partner Shaun Kelley and Finance Director Kyle Anderson. Origination Partner Cheryl Strom helped source the deal for Riverside.