Arlington Capital Partners has acquired Pond & Company, a full-service design and engineering firm that supports regulatory-driven projects for the federal government and customers across the energy, infrastructure and life sciences industries.
The transaction is Arlington’s first platform investment from its recently closed $6 billion Fund VII, which the firm said was significantly oversubscribed. Arlington, a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm focused on government-regulated industries, said it plans to support Pond’s growth by pairing its operating experience in regulated markets with Pond’s technical capabilities across high-consequence infrastructure and specialized facilities.
Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, Pond provides integrated services across the project lifecycle, including planning, architecture, engineering, program management and maintenance. The firm serves end markets such as energy and transportation infrastructure, federal defense infrastructure and life sciences manufacturing facilities, and has niche expertise in areas including fuel storage and distribution, aviation infrastructure, energy infrastructure and medical sterilization. Pond said it employs more than 850 professionals across 21 offices.
Arlington cited rising demand tied to infrastructure needs and the reshoring of life sciences manufacturing as drivers for investment in Pond’s capabilities. Pond CEO Bob Williams said the company expects Arlington to help accelerate its next phase of growth, while Arlington said it intends to support expansion through a mix of organic investment and strategic acquisitions in the U.S. and internationally.
Support: AEC Advisors and Stifel served as financial advisors to Arlington, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Morrison & Foerster served as legal advisors.
KEY QUOTES:
“Decades of energy and transportation infrastructure neglect, coupled with an increasing appetite for the reshoring of life sciences manufacturing, are creating strong demand for the complex capabilities that Pond provides. We look forward to combining Arlington’s deep experience operating in regulated markets with Pond’s impressive bench of best-in-class engineers and strong management team to continue growing the Company’s customer base, which trusts Pond to engineer essential structures with high costs of failure.”
Michael Lustbader, Managing Partner, Arlington Capital Partners
“Pond operates in a technically complex space in which few firms have true experience, making Arlington the clear partner to help us usher in our next phase of growth. I am proud of what the entire Pond team has accomplished in our first 60 years and am excited to begin executing on the vision Arlington has for the Company.”
Bob Williams, CEO, Pond & Company
“With a successful track record of building and growing companies in the sectors where Pond operates and long-standing relationships with its customers, including federal, state and local governments and life sciences manufacturers, we are well positioned to support Pond’s continued growth. We look forward to helping the Company expand its capabilities and customer base in the U.S. and internationally through both organic investment and strategic acquisitions.”
Gordon Auduong, Managing Director, Arlington Capital Partners
