December 8, 2014, GREENWICH, CT – Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“A&M Capital”), a middle-market private equity firm that has a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), announced today that it has acquired a majority interest in WHC Energy Services (“WHC” or the “Company”), a rapidly-growing energy construction services company. Senior management, led by Randy Warner (CEO), has rolled a meaningful stake into the newly capitalized entity. WHC was previously owned by the co-founder’s son and daughter, George Crain, Jr. and Azalie Holland, respectively. George Crain, Jr. will remain as a member of the WHC board.
Based in Broussard, LA, the Company is a leading construction contractor that specializes in managing mid-to-long range pipeline projects and related facilities construction for natural gas, oil and industrial gas transmission with significant experience in Texas, Louisiana and throughout the Southeast. In the past five years, WHC has completed 218 projects across 12 states. The Company enjoys a leading competitive position in each of its core markets, and has recently expanded its capabilities in the West Texas market.
“As the CEO and President of WHC Energy Services, I am extremely pleased about our new partnership with A&M Capital and the potential future we will forge together for the company” said Mr. Warner. “After 10 years of talking to potential buyers of our company, I am proud to say that we found the right partner to help us take the company to its next level of success.”
“We are proud and excited to partner with Randy and the team at WHC” said Mike Odrich, a Founding Partner of A&M Capital. “This group of senior leaders has built a solid platform in recent years and has positioned the Company well for the future. We look forward to supporting their continued success and providing additional resources for the next period of growth.”
A&M Capital was advised by Simpson Thacher & Barlett LLP. WHC was advised by Porter Hedges LLP.
About WHC
Founded in 1957, WHC is a leading construction contractor that specializes in managing mid-to-long range pipeline projects and related facilities construction, for development and infrastructure in Texas, Louisiana and throughout the Southeast. The Company provides a variety of services including oil and gas pipeline construction, pipeline rehab and recoating, compressor & pump station construction, metering station construction, facility upgrades, plant and station abandonments, flowline and gathering system installation, in-house fabrication, and sandblasting and painting. WHC’s focus on quality, safety and timeliness underpins its strong, long-term relationships with many of the most well-established energy companies in the US as well as many of the most experienced and well regard senior professionals in its field.
About A&M Capital
A&M Capital is a private equity firm which invests in middle market businesses that can benefit from the firm’s access to significant operating resources and expertise. The firm has a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), which gives it the distinctive capability to bring the exact management or operational talent and support to the companies with which they partner. The firm is focused on investments where the investment team can help to deliver significant value to companies across a wide range of industries
About A&M
Alvarez & Marsal was founded in 1983 and is a privately-owned global professional services firm that helps businesses improve performance, solve problems, and unlock value for stakeholders. With more than 2,500 full-time professionals in 40 + offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, A&M is the largest firm of its kind and has expertise across all major industry sectors and functional areas.
