Cassel Salpeter & Co. Advises in Sale of Premier Life Safety Solutions Provider SLS Consulting, LLC, to SOCOTEC USA
MIAMI – Dec. 18, 2023 – Cassel Salpeter & Co. (“Cassel Salpeter”), an independent investment banking firm that provides advisory services to middle market and emerging growth companies in the United States and worldwide, today announced that it has successfully facilitated the sale of industry leader SLS Consulting, LLC (“SLS”), which delivers creative and critical life and fire safety solutions, in its sale to SOCOTEC USA (“SOCOTEC”).
Based in Coral Gables, Fla., SLS is a provider of fire protection and life safety services, including code consulting, accessibility, smoke control, emergency management planning, construction project management planning, construction project management, code required inspections, litigation support and other compliance solutions. With a deep, experienced management team, led by founder Michael Sheehan, and operations in Miami, Boston, Atlanta and New York City, SLS delivers innovative fire and life safety solutions to both new and existing buildings.
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., SOCOTEC is a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification (“TIC”), consulting and advisory services. SOCOTEC is a major TIC operator for the building and infrastructure sectors and has established its reputation as an independent and trusted partner, assisting companies in the areas of quality, sustainability and employee and environmental safety.
The acquisition of SLS will strengthen SOCOTEC’s code compliance and planning presence and lead to the formation of the SOCOTEC Life Safety division, with Michael Sheehan serving as president. The SLS team will increase SOCOTEC’s ability to deliver inspections, testing and construction period services within fire protection, life safety and accessibility consulting.
“Michael has built an amazing team and business that I have watched grow over the years, positioning SLS to become a national player,” said Philip Cassel, managing director and partner of Cassel Salpeter who led the deal team. “I believe SOCOTEC is the perfect partner to help SLS fulfill this goal and maximize each group’s strengths. I truly enjoyed working with Michael throughout this process and I am excited to see him continue to achieve great things in the future.”
“The Cassel Salpeter team was critical in establishing this partnership with SOCOTEC,” said Michael Sheehan, founder and chief executive officer of SLS Consulting. “Phil took the time to understand our business needs and goals and was extremely thoughtful regarding all parts of the deal. The Cassel Salpeter team went above and beyond, exceeding expectations, and set SLS and SOCOTEC up for a strong new partnership and a promising future.”
Tahz Rashid was also part of the Cassel Salpeter team that guided SLS through the transaction.
Other professionals who assisted in executing the transaction include William Hill, Robert White, Scott Coffey and Cole Jackson of Gunster LLP, counsel to the seller, as well as Robert Glick, Ian Goldberger, Fernando Miranda and Einat Laver of Kaufman Rossin & Co., providing transaction advisory services to the seller. Alex Plakas, Neil Connolly and Jenna Mason of DLA Piper LLP U.S. were legal counsel to the buyer.
About Cassel Salpeter & Co.:
Cassel Salpeter & Co. LLC is an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide. Together, the firm’s professionals have more than 50 years of experience providing private and public companies with a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial advisory services, including: mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt capital raises; fairness and solvency opinions; valuations; and restructurings, such as 363 sales and plans of reorganization. Cofounded by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter, the firm provides objective, unbiased, results-focused services that clients need to achieve their goals. Personally involved at every stage of all engagements, the firm’s senior partners have forged relationships and completed hundreds of transactions and assignments nationwide. The firm’s headquarters are in Miami. Member FINRA and SIPC. More information is available at www.CasselSalpeter.com
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Editor’s note: Interviews available upon request.
