Align Capital Partners (“ACP”) announced today that it completed the majority acquisition of Barrow-Agee Laboratories, LLC (“Barrow-Agee” or the “Company”), a niche market leader in the food safety and testing industry. This represents ACP’s second acquisition of the quarter, and the fourth platform company acquisition since the firm’s first fund closed in September 2016.
Barrow-Agee is a trusted provider of microbiological and analytical chemistry testing services in support of food safety and the analysis of foods, ingredients, nutraceuticals, feeds, animal fats and vegetable oils. The Company’s Memphis, Tennessee lab provides consistent, reliable and affordable testing services for blue-chip customers who rely on the Company’s expertise to meet quality and regulatory requirements and satisfy growing demand for greater food transparency.
“I’m very proud of the long-standing client relationships we’ve built in the industry,” said Barrow-Agee President Michael Hawkins. “I look forward to continuing our tradition of providing market-leading testing and analytical services, while also leveraging ACP’s resources to further expand our reach.”
“We’re excited to partner with Michael and the entire Barrow-Agee management team to pursue the Company’s next phase of growth,” said ACP Managing Partner Chris Jones. “Barrow-Agee represents a unique opportunity to invest in a well-established company within the rapidly growing food safety and testing industry, and support the Company’s clear growth opportunities through both organic expansion and via add-on acquisitions.”
Managing Partner Rob Langley, Operating Partner John Dupuy, Vice President Jack Parks and Associate Kurt Smentek worked alongside Mr. Jones on the transaction.
About Barrow-Agee
Barrow-Agee is an FDA-registered and ISO-certified provider of testing solutions to North American food manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. Barrow-Agee’s highly-trained scientists utilize current technology to conduct a variety of client tests with core expertise in food safety, microbiology, nutrients, ingredients, fats and oils, pesticide residue analysis, heavy metals, inorganic analysis and animal feed tests. For more information, visit balabs.com.