Private Equity 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits
The private equity exit pipeline continues to present challenges, with even assets acquired during less frothy market periods proving difficult for sponsors to divest, raising questions about current valuation expectations. In major potential exits, Advent and Cinven are exploring a combined €25 billion sale of TK Elevator as Kone enters takeover discussions for the German firm. Meanwhile, Seaport has successfully exited its holding in tech company Exacom, selling the firm to Motorola Solutions. Demonstrating continued M&A activity, HIG Capital is testing the market for industrial services provider JT Thorpe, whose business model linked to industrial system outages is expected to appeal to large-cap buyers.
Platform & Add-on Acquisitions
Sponsors across North America continued to pursue add-on strategies, expanding portfolio companies in specialized infrastructure and services. Fort Point-backed VisuSewer, a provider of wastewater infrastructure services based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, acquired United Survey, an inspection and cleaning firm. In the cold chain sector, Sagard-backed Norbec, which manufactures insulated panels and cold rooms, picked up Canadian Curtis, a designer of prefabricated freezer rooms. In the landscaping vertical, Knox Lane-backed Ruppert Landscape expanded its footprint by acquiring Maryland-based Landscapes Unlimited. Elsewhere, Audax is acquiring property management firm Akam from Nautic Partners, while Hildred-backed SportsMed purchased The Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, adding locations across New Jersey and Connecticut.
Specialized Sector Investments & Fund Formation
Firms are targeting demographic shifts and specialized industrial capabilities for new platforms. TPG launched One Aged Care, a new elderly healthcare platform designed to capitalize on demand for senior living services across Singapore and Malaysia. In the energy transition space, EIG-backed MidOcean Energy secured a $500 million investment from Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan to fuel the expansion of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) portfolio. Further consolidation in automation saw LFM acquire manufacturer PowerBuilt, integrating it into its American Automation Group platform alongside Southern Tooling and Tuttle AAG. Meanwhile, NewMile and Haywood Lane provided backing to Wilkerson Crane Rental to support fleet expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Geopolitical & Sectoral Trends
Divergent capital flows are emerging globally, with Middle Eastern capital potentially shifting focus toward regional opportunities. Hong Kong-based investor Gaw is targeting Gulf retrenchment with a new growth fund, as Middle East private equity suggests capital previously earmarked for the US or Europe may redirect to home markets. Simultaneously, investment into critical infrastructure continues, evidenced by New Heritage-backed Icelandirect acquiring supplement manufacturer Soma Labs to bolster its contract manufacturing capacity for human and pet nutrition brands. Elsewhere, the ongoing technological shift prompts warnings regarding equity imbalances; AI investor Rana el Kaliouby cautioned that if women are excluded from AI funding and leadership roles, the ensuing wealth gap consequences will be severe. Investors are also seeing awards recognizing past success, with Kinderhook Industries winning PE Hub’s Mid-Cap North America Deal of the Year award.