Fusion Capital Partners Acquires Relevant Industrial, Strengthening Portfolio and Expanding Industrial Sector Reach
In a move that underscores its expanding influence in the industrial sector, Fusion Capital Partners (“Fusion”), a private investment firm focused on engineered products and industrial services, has announced its acquisition of Relevant Industrial, LLC (“Relevant”) from LKCM Headwater Investments (“LKCM”). This strategic transaction marks a significant milestone for both Fusion and Relevant Industrial, positioning the latter for accelerated growth while enabling Fusion to broaden its investment footprint in the industrial solutions space.
Under the terms of the deal, Fusion will assume majority ownership of Relevant Industrial, with LKCM Headwater retaining a minority stake in the business. Financial specifics of the acquisition have not been publicly disclosed. However, both parties have emphasized the collaborative and long-term nature of this new ownership structure.
A Leading Force in Industrial Solutions
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Relevant Industrial has established itself as a trusted provider of engineered products and solutions for complex industrial applications. The company serves a diverse customer base across the United States, offering a broad portfolio of products and services that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and productivity across mission-critical environments.
Relevant’s offerings include high-performance instrumentation, automation systems, valves, rotating equipment, combustion solutions, and a wide range of complementary technologies. These products are sourced from top-tier manufacturers, ensuring quality and reliability. In addition to distributing leading industrial technologies, Relevant provides value-added services including system design, integration, installation, and ongoing technical support.
Relevant’s network of engineers, technicians, and product specialists works closely with clients in a variety of industries—including energy, chemicals, refining, manufacturing, and utilities—to solve highly technical challenges and streamline operations. The company’s customer-centric approach and technical depth have earned it a strong reputation for excellence in the industrial marketplace.
Leadership Perspective: Strategic Vision and Accelerated Growth
John Carte, CEO of Relevant Industrial, expressed enthusiasm about the transition and the opportunities it creates for the company’s future.
As we embark on our next chapter of growth, we are thrilled to welcome Fusion as our newest strategic partner,” Carte said. “Fusion’s industry knowledge, growth-focused playbook, and partnership-driven approach resonated with me and my leadership team from the outset.”
Carte added that the collaboration is expected to supercharge Relevant’s growth trajectory, providing the resources, strategic guidance, and capital necessary to scale more rapidly. He emphasized that while Fusion’s investment brings a fresh wave of momentum, LKCM’s continued involvement as a minority investor will help ensure continuity and stability as the company moves forward.
“We have a number of exciting opportunities in front of us,” Carte continued. “I believe our partnership with Fusion will accelerate our ability to capture them, while maintaining the culture, values, and technical expertise that have been central to our success thus far.”
Carte also took the opportunity to recognize LKCM for their support throughout Relevant’s previous phase of development, noting that their guidance and capital backing helped shape the strong platform the company stands on today.
Fusion Capital Partners: A New Generation of Industrial Investment
This acquisition represents the second investment for Fusion Capital Partners, which was launched in 2024 by a group of seasoned industrial investors and operators: Jason Cowett, Matt Brown, Tom Cutting, Jeff Chaney, Matt Veneman, and Forrest Beck. Together, the Fusion team brings extensive experience in scaling middle-market industrial businesses through organic growth, operational enhancement, and strategic add-on acquisitions.
The firm is known for its thesis-driven investment philosophy and its commitment to building deep partnerships with management teams. Fusion’s founders have collectively created substantial value in prior ventures by working closely with leadership to unlock growth levers, improve operational efficiencies, and expand market share.
Matt Brown, Co-Managing Partner at Fusion, commented on the acquisition:
“It’s an exciting time for our team at Fusion as we close on our second portfolio company. Utilizing our thesis-driven approach, we have proactively targeted the process automation ecosystem and have been following Relevant’s evolution for years.”
Brown noted that the firm was particularly drawn to the strength of Relevant’s leadership team, the company’s entrenched customer relationships, and its position as a trusted partner across a wide range of industrial applications.
“Our belief in John and his entire team, coupled with the company’s strong market position and numerous available growth levers, creates a strong foundation to deploy our partnership-driven growth playbook,” Brown said. “We look forward to helping Relevant continue its journey toward market leadership and strengthening the value it brings to its customers, suppliers, and employees.”
A Platform for Growth: Market Opportunities and Strategic Expansion
The acquisition comes at a time when the industrial sector is experiencing renewed investment in modernization, automation, and sustainability. As companies across the globe confront aging infrastructure, labor shortages, and the increasing need for digital transformation, demand for integrated industrial solutions is surging.
Relevant Industrial is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. With deep expertise in process automation, systems integration, and technical field services, the company can offer holistic, high-value solutions that address the evolving needs of its clients. Fusion’s backing is expected to support a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing Relevant’s competitive position, including:
- Geographic Expansion: Leveraging Fusion’s resources to grow Relevant’s presence in high-demand markets across North America.
- Strategic Acquisitions: Identifying and integrating complementary businesses that align with Relevant’s core capabilities and customer base.
- Digital Transformation: Accelerating the adoption of digital tools and analytics to optimize internal operations and improve client outcomes.
- Talent Development: Investing in training, recruitment, and leadership development to build a sustainable, high-performance organization.
Carte emphasized that Fusion’s support would allow the company to pursue these opportunities aggressively while staying true to its values and commitment to excellence.
“We’re excited to expand our footprint, deepen our product and service offerings, and ultimately deliver more value to our clients in the years ahead,” he said.
Operational Continuity and Future Leadership
In the immediate term, Relevant Industrial will continue to operate from its Houston headquarters and will retain its current leadership structure. Carte and his executive team will remain at the helm, providing continuity and stability as the company enters its next growth phase.
This approach aligns with Fusion’s overall strategy of investing in businesses with strong existing leadership and empowering those teams to drive performance. By maintaining Relevant’s operational independence while providing strategic guidance and capital support, Fusion aims to build a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership.
Transaction Support and Advisors
The transaction was supported by several prominent advisory and legal firms. Jefferies Private Fund Advisory acted as placement agent for Fusion, while Solomon Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor. Legal counsel for Fusion was provided by Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
The involvement of these trusted advisors reflects the strategic importance of the transaction and the high level of planning and diligence that went into its execution.
Building a Stronger Future Together
The acquisition of Relevant Industrial by Fusion Capital Partners marks a significant milestone in the evolution of both companies. For Relevant, it signals the start of an ambitious new chapter—one focused on aggressive growth, operational excellence, and expanded customer value. For Fusion, it represents the continued execution of a well-defined investment strategy aimed at transforming industrial companies into market leaders.
With a shared vision, complementary strengths, and a clear roadmap for the future, Fusion and Relevant Industrial are poised to achieve substantial growth and deliver lasting impact in the industrial sector.
