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BlackArch Partners Advises DRB Systems on a Growth Equity Investment by New Mountain Capital

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 7, 2017) – BlackArch Partners (“BlackArch”) is pleased to announce a growth equity investment by New Mountain Capital (“New Mountain”) in DRB Systems (“DRB” or the “Company”).

DRB is a franchise-like software and payments solution for the tunnel and unattended retail car wash markets and was previously a portfolio company of Prairie Capital (“Prairie”).  The investment by New Mountain will support the continued growth of DRB, with New Mountain investing for a controlling stake in the business.

DRB, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, is the leading provider of technology to the North American car wash industry.  The Company provides an end-to-end:

  • Point of sale and payment solution;
  • Data capture and business intelligence hub for car wash owners; and
  • Customer loyalty and demand generation technology platform.

With an installed base of over 10,000 systems in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, DRB has catalyzed the industry’s professionalization and technology-enablement and drives value creation for operators within the car wash market.  For more information, please visit the Company’s website – www.drbsystems.com.

BlackArch was retained by DRB’s management team and Prairie to serve as the exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.  DRB represents BlackArch’s most recent transaction in the car wash ecosystem, which includes successful engagements encompassing: vertical software, manufacturing/OEM, field service, chemical distribution and car wash retail.   Further, DRB is another clear example of BlackArch’s alignment with high-growth, market-leading platform companies in the middle market that leverage the firm’s deep sector experience in Applied Technology and Business & Professional Services.

About Prairie Capital

Prairie Capital is a growth-oriented private investment firm that focuses on partnering with founder and family-owned businesses in the lower middle market.  Since its founding in 1997, Prairie has completed more than 88 transactions, representing over $850 million in invested capital.  For additional information, please visit www.prairie-capital.com.

About New Mountain Capital

New Mountain Capital is a New York based investment firm that emphasizes business building and growth, rather than debt, as it pursues long-term capital appreciation. The firm currently manages private equity, public equity and credit capital with aggregate assets under management totaling more than $20 billion*. New Mountain seeks out what it believes to be the highest quality growth leaders in carefully selected industry sectors and then works intensively with management to build the value of these companies.  For additional information, please visit www.newmountaincapital.com.

About BlackArch Partners

BlackArch Partners is a leading middle-market investment bank offering merger and acquisition, strategic advisory and private capital solutions to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations.  Please visit www.blackarchpartners.com for more details.

* Includes amounts committed, not all of which have been drawn down and invested to date.