The State Group has acquired Mel-Kay Electric Co., or MelKay, expanding its mechanical, electrical and plumbing contracting capabilities across Southern Indiana, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
The State Group is a portfolio company of funds managed by Apollo.
MelKay is based in Evansville, Indiana, and employs more than 400 union tradespeople providing electrical, mechanical and plumbing construction and maintenance services.
Its capabilities also include HVAC, fire protection, security, communications and safety systems.
The company serves industrial and commercial customers across the region and holds preferred vendor relationships with major companies including Berry Global, Deaconess Health, Sabic and Toyota.
MelKay traces its history to 1951, when the business was founded by the grandfather of current CEO Scott Hartig.
The acquisition brings the multigenerational company into a larger North American industrial and specialty contracting organization while giving MelKay additional resources to pursue growth.
The State Group was established in 1961 and provides electrical and mechanical trade services for Fortune 100 companies across power generation, automotive, data centers, ecommerce, oil and gas, communications, metals and transportation.
The company performs more than eight million man-hours annually across retrofit, maintenance, construction and emergency service projects and operates offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Berenson & Company served as financial advisor to The State Group on the transaction.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our successful partnership with The State Group is a testament to our team’s collective effort to be the best in providing high-quality, value-added MEP solutions for our customers and to our commitment to the local communities we serve. We’re excited to join The State Group as we begin the next chapter of MelKay’s growth and future for our employees.”
Chad Thompson, President of MelKay
“MelKay was founded by my grandfather in 1951 in the back office of his in-laws’ small hotel and restaurant. Selling a company that has been part of my family for three generations is not easy. But knowing the quality of the people who will continue to lead MelKay, combined with the incredible opportunities that come with The State Group, gives me tremendous confidence in a very bright future for everyone at MelKay.”
Scott Hartig, CEO of MelKay
“The addition of MelKay provides an exciting opportunity to partner with a company aligned with our own values in prioritizing quality of service, teamwork and focus on customer satisfaction.,”
Michael Lampert, Executive Chairman of The State Group
