Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Strategy

H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of Premier Forge Group (PFG), a U.S. manufacturer of mission-critical forged components for the aerospace, defense, and specialty industrial sectors. This move signals continued investor appetite for niche industrial assets. Meanwhile, the lower mid-market is presenting appealing opportunities for investors navigating geopolitical tensions and fluctuating interest rates, according to Jennifer Pereira of Fengate. She noted that operational improvements are a key driver of value creation in this segment, a strategy increasingly adopted across the sector.

Firm Appointments & Investor Content

Strategic Value Partners has bolstered its European investment team with the appointment of Jean Baptiste de Boissieu as managing director, who joins from Davidson Kempner. In other firm-related news, investors are sharing their preferred reading and listening materials for the summer, with CalPERS, IMAS Foundation, and Aware Super among those recommending books and podcasts. This highlights a growing trend of LPs actively seeking diverse content to inform their investment strategies and market outlooks.

Mid-Market Acquisitions

Smart Gulf Coast, a workplace safety firm headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, has expanded its operations by acquiring safety firms AMC Safety and Safe Construction Consulting. This consolidation within the safety services sector reflects a push for scale and market penetration by mid-market players.