A.H. Harris Completes Acquisition of Kenseal Construction Products

West Hartford, CT

A.H. Harris, a leading distributor of construction supplies and equipment, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Kenseal Construction Products, the leading distributor of waterproofing, sealants, EIFS/stucco, glass/glazing and concrete masonry restoration products. The transaction was financed by Frontenac, the majority owner of A.H. Harris and a private equity firm focused on investing in the lower middle market. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1916, A.H. Harris distributes building products and equipment to the heavy & highway, commercial, industrial and residential construction markets. A.H. Harris has a special focus on forming & shoring, sitework, concrete repair and restoration, safety, tools, rebar and tilt-up. The company also features a rebar fabricating division, HarMac Rebar and Steel. A.H. Harris has earned a leadership role in the concrete construction industry by providing innovative technology and superior customer service while maintaining its historical values of service and integrity.

“A.H. Harris has made strong progress under our ownership. The addition of Kenseal, which has established an equally impressive track record in the construction sector, will prove transformational and position the combined company for continued growth,” commented Michael Langdon, Managing Director at Frontenac. “This combination is consistent with the strategy we identified upon partnering with A.H. Harris, and we are delighted to support this compelling acquisition and future consolidation opportunities.”

According to A.H. Harris President and CEO Kimberly Corwin, the Kenseal business will be integrated into the A.H. Harris family and will operate as Kenseal, a division of A.H. Harris. “We are confident that the joint business will operate ‘Better Together’, combining nearly 140 years of industry knowledge and experience. Together we can expand our product depth and reach, to better service our customers,” said Corwin.

Paul McKinnell, President of Kenseal, will continue to lead the Kenseal division of A.H. Harris. “We believe the partnership with A.H. Harris & Frontenac to be “the perfect fit.” The operational resources and industry experience of A.H. Harris combined with the strategic insight and financial support of Frontenac position us to better execute our plans for growth and market expansion,” said McKinnell.

The addition of the Kenseal family supports A.H. Harris’ goal of providing customers with a one stop shop in the concrete construction, repair/restoration, waterproofing and glazing markets. With a combined total of over 50 locations from Maine to North Carolina, this acquisition bolsters the company’s footprint in existing markets and creates new geographical opportunities along the Eastern Seaboard. This will provide the company’s customers access to an expanded network of the industry’s best products.

“Since our recapitalization last year, A.H. Harris and Frontenac have been looking for the right acquisition opportunity; a company that mirrors our focus on customer service, integrity and most importantly a company with a team of experienced and knowledgeable Associates. Kenseal meets and exceeds those expectations,” said Corwin.

About A.H. Harris

A.H. Harris was founded in 1916 as a small, family-owned and operated trucking company in Connecticut. Over the decades, the company has evolved into the leading construction supply company on the East Coast today. A.H. Harris distributes building products to the heavy & highway, commercial, industrial and residential markets with the same goal in mind as its founding fathers: To provide “the highest quality products and professional services” to its customers. The company has a large delivery fleet, but today’s customers include state DOT’s, contractors, large construction companies, municipalities, and homeowners. With 40 locations from Maine to North Carolina, it is rapidly growing and has earned a leadership role in its industry by providing quality construction solutions, while maintaining its historical values of service and integrity. For more information, please visit: www.ahhharris.com

About Kenseal

Kenseal Construction Products distributes quality innovative product lines to the waterproofing, sealant, glazing and concrete/masonry restoration markets. Founded in 1977, Kenseal has become one of the largest specialty construction product distributors in the country. Kenseal has 13 stocking locations located along the East Coast to ensure rapid order fulfillment. Our sales team is thoroughly trained to find solutions to the most challenging construction projects. For more information please visit: www.kenseal.com

About Frontenac

Frontenac is a leading private equity firm, based in Chicago. The firm focuses on investing in lower middle market buyout transactions in the food, industrial, and services industries. Frontenac works in partnership with proven operating leaders, through our executive-centric approach called CEO1ST, to identify, acquire, and build market leading companies through transformational acquisitions and operational excellence. The firm has built a leading franchise working with over 225 owners of mid-sized businesses, almost always families or founders, as they address complex transition issues of liquidity, management enhancement, and growth planning. For more information, please visit www.frontenac.com.