Global investment firm KKR has completed the acquisition of Potter Global Technologies, a leading manufacturer of fire and life safety equipment, from Gryphon Investors.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, KKR aims to facilitate Potter’s ongoing growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Potter is recognized as a trusted provider of fire safety and emergency communication equipment utilized across various sectors, including education, multi-family, industrial, and healthcare. The company’s products play a crucial role in monitoring fire safety systems, detecting life-threatening events, and facilitating communication with building occupants and first responders.
KKR’s Brandon Brahm, Partner and Co-Head of KKR’s Ascendant strategy, expressed admiration for Potter’s history of innovation and commitment to delivering high-quality safety systems and exceptional customer service.
The acquisition represents a new chapter in Potter’s growth journey, with KKR poised to collaborate with the company’s leadership and employees to explore new avenues for customer service and life protection.
Gerry Connolly, CEO of Potter, highlighted the company’s mission to safeguard people, buildings, and critical infrastructure worldwide. The collaboration with KKR is expected to drive accelerated product innovation, superior customer service, and an expanded global reach. In line with KKR’s equity ownership philosophy, an employee ownership program will be implemented at Potter, offering all employees the opportunity to become co-owners.
This acquisition is part of KKR’s Ascendant Strategy, focusing on investments in middle-market businesses in North America within KKR’s Americas Private Equity platform.
The strategy emphasizes the importance of employee engagement, a principle that has seen KKR portfolio companies distribute billions of dollars in total equity value to non-management employees since 2011.
Advisors to KKR in this transaction included Baird and Baker McKenzie. The completion of this acquisition positions Potter Global Technologies for continued growth and innovation in the fire and life safety industry.
