Resilience Buys Telecom-Infrastructure Services Firm ACI

Private-equity firm Resilience Capital Partners announced the acquisition of Advanced Communications Inc. (ACI), a provider of telecommunications infrastructure services to cable operators, telcos and businesses.

Customers of Canton, Mich.-based ACI include Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications and Cablevision Systems. The company employs approximately 1,000 technicians, engineers, customer service and related support personnel in field offices in 12 states.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Resilience Capital Partners says it targets companies with $25 million to $500 million in revenue and EBITDA typically under $20 million. The private-equity firm manages multiple funds with capital under management in excess of $320 million.

ACI's services include end-to-end system design and engineering, construction, wiring, installation, maintenance and repair solutions.

"We are excited to partner with ACI, an established business partner to some of the leading telephone and cable television systems in the country," Resilience Capital Partners co-CEO Steve Rosen said in announcing the deal Tuesday. "ACI has a well-established franchise, committed employees and valued expertise, providing a strong foundation from which to grow the business. We look forward to working with the firm's management and employees to help ACI become the very best company it can be."

According to Rosen, Resilience expects ACI to hire additional employees at all levels. “The growth prospects at ACI will require the company to add to its existing human capital immediately," he said in an emailed statement.

Advanced Communications founder Michael Falsetti commented, "ACI is looking forward to its partnership with Resilience, a firm with an outstanding reputation for reinvesting in, and strengthening, the prospects of its portfolio companies. We look forward to working with Resilience to take our operations to the next level."

Doug Campbell, a senior vice president in Resilience Capital Partners' operations group, will direct the firm's investments in ACI.

Resilience acquired ACI through a newly formed entity, Aero Communications Inc. ACI is the firm’s first acquisition in the infrastructure-services sector and its fifth platform investment in The Resilience Fund III.

Cleveland-based Resilience Capital Partners' other current portfolio companies include CR Brands, Thermal Solutions Manufacturing, WT Hardwoods Group, North Coast Minerals, ASC Signal, Penda and ChemDesign Products.