Kohlberg acquired a majority interest in Advanced Industrial Devices from Black Bay Partners, investing in a provider of engineered automation and control systems serving data centers, water, power, and industrial infrastructure. AID’s existing management team, led by CEO Russell Claybrook, will retain a significant ownership interest in the company.
Founded in 1983, AID develops systems that control motor speed, distribute power, and automate critical infrastructure operations.
Its technology is used across data centers, water and wastewater infrastructure, power systems, and broader industrial markets.
AID’s systems support equipment including cooling towers, chillers, fans, compressors, and pumps.
The company designs its solutions to improve reliability while reducing electricity and water consumption.
AID also provides field service, repairs, training, and engineering support.
The investment comes as growing computing demand increases the need for data center power and cooling infrastructure.
Kohlberg said AID is positioned to benefit as data center operators seek higher reliability and more advanced cooling technologies.
AID also supports utilities and infrastructure operators modernizing aging systems and protecting mission-critical assets.
Black Bay partnered with AID for approximately four years and helped the company expand from a more concentrated business into a diversified provider of engineered automation and control solutions.
Kohlberg plans to support additional investment in AID’s people, manufacturing capacity, capabilities, and product development.
Harris Williams served as financial advisor to AID.
Baird advised Kohlberg.
Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel and Kirkland & Ellis served as financing counsel to Kohlberg.
Jones Walker served as legal counsel to AID and Black Bay.
Kohlberg manages approximately $18 billion on behalf of investors globally.
KEY QUOTES:
“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our growth story and positions us to accelerate our next phase of expansion.”
“With Kohlberg’s support, we will further invest in our people, capabilities and capacity to ensure we can meet and exceed the needs of our customers for years to come.”
Russell Claybrook, CEO of Advanced Industrial Devices
“As demand for power increases across data centers and other critical infrastructure, the challenge for operators is not only power availability, but also power reliability. AID directly helps customers overcome these challenges.”
Benjamin Mao, Senior Partner at Kohlberg
“Rising compute demand is driving a real shift toward more advanced cooling infrastructure in data centers, and that’s exactly where AID’s solutions play a critical role.”
“We believe we are in the early innings of transformation in the digital infrastructure industry and look forward to partnering with Russell and the entire AID team to further their track record of developing and delivering innovative, customer-first solutions.”
Ben Yu, Partner at Kohlberg
“The AID team has rapidly expanded its capabilities and established a growing presence across the data center, energy, water and power infrastructure end-markets.”
Matt Schovee, Partner at Black Bay
“The partnership with AID is a great example of Black Bay’s strategy to provide solutions to address the evolving challenges in the energy, power and industrial markets.”
Michael LeBourgeois, Managing Partner at Black Bay
