Tri State Fire Protection

Tri State Fire Protection


Seller: Tri State Fire Protection, Inc.


Sold To: Fire Equipment, Inc.


Tri State Fire Protection, the premier choice for fire sprinkler design, fabrication and installation in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Southeastern Massachusetts, is renowned for its industry expertise working on historic buildings (Newport Mansions, for example), balancing the aesthetics of the property with the need for modern fire safety systems.   

What made the business attractive to buyers?
  • Recognized leader in historic building fire protection for over 30 years
  • Strong team of long term employees with multi-state licenses and certifications
  • Recurring revenue from fire sprinkler system testing in over one thousand buildings
  • Deep relationships with property owners, contractors and architects throughout historic New England

Challenges:
  • One owner looking to retire quickly, another looking to transition over a few years 
  • Preference to avoid acquisition by national competitor with a large corporate structure  
  • Competitors were offering one-stop shopping for fire protection needs, while seller remained focused only on fire sprinklers.

When did Beacon first meet the owner?

Beacon was introduced to stockholders by their regional CPA firm.  After getting to know the business and an in-depth review of their financial data, Beacon provided management with an estimated value range in a sale. Management then engaged Beacon to search for a buyer after four weeks of discussions.

Why did the Owners want to sell?

One owner (70s) wanted to retire after nearly 50 years in the industry.  His partner (60s) of 30 years preferred to remain in the industry but not as an owner. He did not want to sell to a large corporation, preferring a private company as the best transition for himself and the loyal team of employees.

Beacon’s Role and Successful Results:

Beacon Equity Advisors assisted with the valuation, marketing, deal negotiations and due diligence coordination necessary to bring about a deal with a family owned fire protection business which saw an opportunity to expand geographically and increase their expertise in fire sprinkler installation. 

The Process:

Beacon confidentially introduced the business to hundreds of fire protection companies throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic states offering a masked one-page teaser. 

Beacon prepared an initial presentation deck highlighting the strengths, successes and synergies the Company brought to the table for buyers expressing interest and executing a non-disclosure agreement. The presentation provided big picture financial information and other key metrics to spur interest, downplay perceived risks while maintaining seller confidentiality.  Beacon then worked closely with each interested buyer to answer their initial questions after reviewing the package.

Beacon encouraged each buyer to submit a timely indication of interest letter (IOI).  The seller selected the three most attractive buyers for more detailed conversations over the subsequent two weeks.

The top two groups, a larger family owned company and an HVAC piping contractor looking to diversify, were invited to meet with management off-site and submit final bids.

Beacon negotiated a seller friendly letter of intent (LOI) for the purchase by fire protection company.

Beacon provided seller with an introduction to an experienced transaction attorney to assist with the preparation of the purchase agreement, consulting agreement, real estate lease and coordinate the closing.

Beacon worked with attorneys and CPAs from both sides to complete due diligence and close the transaction in less than sixty days from the LOI.

The transaction provided the sellers with substantial cash at closing, a small revenue based earn out, consulting agreements for both owners and an attractive lease on real estate owned by an affiliated entity.

Of equal importance to the sellers, all of the company’s employees were retained with seniority, even receiving enhanced benefits from the buyer.

About Beacon Equity Advisors – Since 1985 Beacon Equity Advisors, a leading New England M&A advisory firm with offices in eight key cities, including Boston, MA and Providence, RI has represented owners selling closely held businesses such as Tri-State Fire Equipment of Smithfield, RI.  Tri-State is a leader in the fabrication and installation of fire sprinkler systems for properties in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.  Beacon Equity Advisors’ experience selling companies in the custom fabrication industry enabled them to tell an engaging story about this safety and design service.  The Company has a special expertise working in historical buildings throughout New England. Highlighting key enterprise attributes enhanced the company’s value as Beacon identified prospective buyers who were able to clearly recognize synergistic opportunities. By matching the right buyer with the right seller, shareholders were able to realize an above market value multiple in the sale of their business. Beacon represented the Board of Directors and Shareholders in identifying the buyer, negotiating deal terms and brokering the transaction to a competitor from Massachusetts.