Private‑equity firms Onex, Frontenac and Sterling Group are rotating three industrial assets—hydraulics, wire‑cable and sustainable‑building products makers—through the market, sources say. The sellers hope to capitalize on modest recovery in niche manufacturing after a year of thin deal flow. Their timing reflects renewed investor appetite for specialty producers tied to grid electrification and green construction.

Industry data show year‑to‑date sell‑side activity remains low compared with last year, yet pockets of demand appear in aerospace, defense and firms supplying grid‑linked equipment. Analysts note that firms with clear ESG or infrastructure links command better pricing, prompting the three PE houses to test valuation thresholds before committing to a full auction.

Oak Hill Capital’s affiliate OEP has paused one of the three processes, suggesting a strategic reassessment rather than a market retreat. The hold‑up underscores how sellers weigh buyer interest against macro uncertainty. With three assets now active and one on pause, the sector’s deal pipeline will likely sharpen as investors seek exposure to durable, low‑carbon manufacturing niches.