Grant Thornton Advisors announced it has signed an agreement to acquire MCA Connect, a consulting and technology firm focused on manufacturing and distribution companies. The deal is designed to strengthen Grant Thornton Advisors’ end-to-end digital, data and AI capabilities while expanding its technology-led advisory offerings.
Based in Denver, MCA Connect is recognized as one of Microsoft’s leading manufacturing and distribution partners and has earned Microsoft’s Global Supply Chain Partner of the Year recognition three times. The company specializes in helping organizations modernize operations, improve data quality and deploy digital transformation solutions.
Following the acquisition, MCA Connect will become part of Grant Thornton Advisors’ integrated advisory platform and will operate as “MCA Connect, a Grant Thornton US company.” Approximately 350 MCA Connect professionals are expected to join Grant Thornton Advisors’ Denver operations after the transaction closes, which is anticipated over the summer pending customary closing conditions.
The acquisition expands Grant Thornton Advisors’ capabilities across strategy, technology, transactions, cyber, risk and operations. It also builds on the company’s recent acquisition activity, including the purchases of Auxis and Stax, which broadened its outsourcing, business modernization and commercial due diligence services.
Grant Thornton Advisors said the deal strengthens its position in manufacturing and distribution at a time when demand for AI-driven operational systems continues to grow. The company cited recent research showing that 62% of manufacturers are already applying AI to operational processes, although only 7% have a tested incident-response plan for AI-related failures.
MCA Connect brings expertise across Microsoft Dynamics 365, Fabric and Azure, which Grant Thornton Advisors expects will enhance its ability to deliver enterprise-scale digital transformation projects, from strategy and implementation to long-term optimization.
The transaction also supports Grant Thornton Advisors’ multinational expansion strategy. Over the past 18 months, nearly 20 aligned firms across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific have joined its multinational platform, representing almost 25,000 professionals. The platform is expected to expand further following the planned addition of Grant Thornton Australia.
Grant Thornton Advisors is backed by an investor group led by New Mountain Capital, whose 2024 investment supported the company’s accelerated growth strategy.
KEY QUOTES:
“MCA Connect brings deep industry expertise and proven technical capabilities in one of the most operationally complex sectors of the economy. Adding those strengths to our multinational platform enhances our ability to help clients modernize how they run their businesses — across borders, industries and time zones.”
Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and leader of its multinational platform
“For our clients, this acquisition means we’re closing the gap between ambition and action. MCA Connect brings deep industry knowledge, operational fluency and technical capability. Together, we’ll help clients move faster, make better decisions and put technology to work in ways that truly move the needle for their businesses. This is about turning smart ideas into real impact.”
Tom Puthiyamadam, Managing Partner of Advisory Services for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
“From the start, it was clear that Grant Thornton Advisors shared our values, our client-first mindset and our belief that real transformation comes from connecting strategy to execution. This combination will allow us to scale what makes MCA Connect special: our people, our Microsoft expertise and our delivery discipline — while also expanding the ways we can help clients modernize faster and with greater confidence. This is a really meaningful moment for our team and we cannot wait to embrace the opportunities that it presents.”
David Durham, CEO of MCA Connect
“When New Mountain Capital decided to back Grant Thornton Advisors in 2024, we wanted to help the firm enhance service line capabilities and accelerate its growth trajectory. The firm’s deal with MCA Connect proves that’s exactly what’s happening. Grant Thornton Advisors is adding compelling new offerings, and, at the same time, building on momentum in technology and dramatic cross-border expansion — through its Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform.”
Andre Moura and Nikhil Devulapalli, Managing Directors at New Mountain Capital
