GREENVILLE, S.C. – At the 2nd Annual Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) New York Champion’s Awards event held at Sotheby’s New York, the acquisition of Ranger International Services Group, Inc. (now known as Louis Berger Services, Inc.) by the Berger Group of Companies took home three separate “Deal of the Year” awards. Wyche represented Ranger International in this acquisition. This transaction was named “Middle-Market Deal of the Year (Between $50mm and $100mm),” “Corporate and Strategic Acquisition of the Year (Between $5mm and $100mm)” and “Professional Services (B-to-B) Deal of the Year.”
“The 2nd Annual ACG New York Champion’s Awards winners represent the best of M&A in the New York area in 2012, and the companies involved in the acquisition of Ranger International earned these honors by distinguishing themselves in a group of very impressive finalists,” said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO of The M&A Advisor. “Despite the current challenging economic conditions, Wyche and the other firms involved in this deal have demonstrated that perseverance and performance lead to success in this market.”
“Ranger International’s experienced management team lead by Greenville’s Steve Townes and supported by a trio of sophisticated institutional investors, First New England Capital, Argosy Capital and Plexus Capital, built a great company that remained attractive to large strategic buyers such as the Berger Group of Companies even after the 2011 national debt ceiling crisis increased the challenges faced by the defense services industry. Great companies make it possible to do great deals in challenging times,” commented Wyche attorney, Eric Graben.
A panel of 11 independent judges, chosen for their individual accomplishments and industry expertise, judged over 220 finalist companies for 35 awards. The acquisition of Ranger International by the Berger Group of Companies was certainly deserving of the three awards it received.
In February of 2012, the Berger Group of Companies, a global engineering firm with annual revenues of $1 billion headquartered in Morristown, NJ, acquired Ranger International of Greenville, SC, a 1,000-employee firm providing a variety of aviation, logistics and engineering services both domestically and internationally. The strengths and global reach of the Berger Group of Companies will greatly complement the capabilities of Ranger International, enabling their combined operations to provide enhanced services to clients around the world. Eric Graben, a corporate and M&A attorney with Wyche, represented Ranger International in the transaction alongside Andy Coburn and Natalie Dunham, also of Wyche. A team from Greenberg Traurig, LLP led by Bruce March represented the Berger Group of Companies in the deal. A team from Houlihan Lokey’s Aerospace Defense Government Group headed by Anita Antenucci and Warren Romine served as Ranger International’s investment bankers.
About Wyche
Wyche is a full-service law firm which has practiced law and served the community for more than 90 years. In that time, Wyche has participated in landmark litigation, served as counsel on cutting-edge transactions, and provided community leadership that has helped shape and drive our region’s growth and success. With offices in Greenville and Columbia, Wyche is the South Carolina member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms.