Sound Partners and Calico Group Form The Mechanical Group Through Strategic HVAC Acquisitions Across the Southwest
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sound Partners and Calico Group are proud to announce the formation of The Mechanical Group (“TMG”), an integrated, turnkey provider of comprehensive HVAC-R service for businesses and commercial enterprises across the Southwest. TMG was formed in 2023 through the merger of the firms’ portfolio company, Tradewinds Mechanical, in Las Vegas, with the transformative acquisitions of S&R Air Conditioning in Los Angeles and Climate Specialists in Austin.
S&R was founded in 1987 and has been serving Southern California for nearly 38 years with the mission of providing best-in-class maintenance, emergency service, and repairs for commercial HVAC systems. S&R has been owned and operated by Todd and Maria Shaw, with the help of their son, Matt Shaw, who simultaneously started Climate Specialists in 2019. Climate Specialists has rapidly scaled in the high growth Austin market, specializing in providing HVAC solutions to the industrial, healthcare, technology, and hospitality industries in Central Texas.
Zepher Loesch, founder of Sound, expressed his excitement about partnering with Todd, Maria, and Matt Shaw to expand The Mechanical Group’s operations. “We are thrilled to have Matt join as Chief Operating Officer of TMG and continue Todd and Maria’s legacy of providing exceptional service to blue-chip customers across the Southwest. Matt’s technical knowledge, ability to train and build teams, and drive high quality performance for customers adds substantial value across the company,” said Loesch.
Matt Shaw has been critical to S&R’s success and has been intimately involved in the company while also scaling Climate Specialists. “I am ecstatic to partner with The Mechanical Group and take our collective expertise to new heights,” said Matt Shaw. “S&R has a proud history of delivering best-in-class solutions to customers throughout Southern California, and Climate Specialists has grown rapidly to meet the HVAC needs of the growing Austin market. Together, we are excited to grow into a leading HVAC service provider across the Southwest.”
Todd and Maria Shaw, the owners of S&R, expressed their pride in the reputation S&R has built with decades-long customers of the company. “We are pleased to have S&R’s legacy continue with The Mechanical Group and build on our strong tradition of providing top-notch HVAC services to commercial clients throughout Southern California,” said Todd Shaw. “Our customers have come to rely on us for quality and expertise, and we look forward to leveraging our experience to help TMG achieve new levels of success.”
The Mechanical Group provides a full range of HVAC-R maintenance, repair, and replacement services to commercial clients across industries, with an expertise in large, complex systems. The company’s mission is to provide exceptional service and value to its customers while ensuring the highest quality standards in every aspect of its operations.
“The combination of these three great companies creates a powerful platform for growth,” said Steven Brayet, Co-Founder of Calico Group and President of The Mechanical Group. “We are excited to partner with Matt to build a world-class HVAC-R service provider across the Southwest and deliver exceptional value to our customers. In less than 6 months since Sound and Calico acquired Tradewinds, we have more than doubled revenue and expanded operations across 3 states, with plans to continue and accelerate our growth even further. TMG is well-positioned for success, and we are eager to see what the future holds.”
TMG will continue to invest in its people, processes, and technology to enhance its service offerings and ensure its customers receive the highest quality service. The company is poised for rapid growth and expansion in the Southwest and beyond.
The financial terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.
About The Mechanical Group, LLC:
The Mechanical Group is an integrated, turnkey provider of comprehensive HVAC-R service for businesses and commercial enterprises across the Southwest. The company provides a full range of HVAC-R services, including installation, maintenance, and repair, to commercial clients in various industries, including healthcare, technology, and real estate. The Mechanical Group is committed to providing exceptional service and value to its customers while ensuring the highest quality standards in every aspect of its operations.
About Sound Partners:
Sound Partners is a lower-middle market private equity fund focused on investing in companies with $2-$20 million in revenue across various sectors. Sound provides companies with operational and strategic support to help accelerate growth and drive long-term value creation. Sound is focused on investing in family and founder-owned businesses looking for support in transitioning to their next phase of growth and professionalization. Sound brings the collective experience of investors that have deployed over $1 billion of capital in private transactions and operators with substantial experience across industries including construction, facility services, distribution, and manufacturing.
About Calico Group:
Calico Group is a private investment vehicle formed by serial entrepreneurs Morgan Strain and Steven Brayet. Calico prides itself on its ability to drive success in each of its investments, ranging from pre-revenue startups, mature operating businesses, and real estate. Calico investment approach is focused on driving outsized growth, professionalization, and value-creation through a boots-on-the-ground approach. Calico makes long-term investments in businesses across industries, including logistics, commercial and home services, and technology.
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