CORE Industrial Partners Acquires CGI Automated Manufacturing


August 12, 2021

CORE Industrial Partners (“CORE”), a Chicago-based private equity firm, announced today the acquisition of CGI Automated Manufacturing (“CGI” or the “Company”), a custom precision sheet metal fabrication solutions provider. CGI is CORE’s second investment from CORE Industrial Partners Fund II, a $465 million fund closed in February of 2021.

Founded in 1976, CGI offers comprehensive in-house manufacturing capabilities, including laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, CNC machining, robotic welding, fastener insertion, and assembly. The Company specializes in short lead times for mid-to-high volume complex sheet metal production parts, assemblies and weldments in stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized, cold rolled, or hot rolled materials from 24 gauge to one inch thick. With a long history of consistently investing in state-of-the-art equipment and advanced automation, CGI offers 24 / 7 lights out production capabilities and was the first US company to install the Mitsubishi River Navigation System with two lasers.

CGI serves diversified end markets, including medical, food, lighting, and industrials, with an expertise in the electrical transmission and distribution sector. Based outside of Chicago, the Company operates a 62,500 square foot facility on six acres and is ISO 9001:2015 certified.

John May, Managing Partner of CORE, said, “Our investment in CGI aligns well with our continued focus on partnering with founder- and family-owned businesses that embrace powerful Industry 4.0 trends. CGI’s historical focus on technology and automation combined with quick turnaround times, outstanding customer service and precision manufacturing capabilities make the business an ideal new platform investment.”

Janice Nieman, President of CGI, said, “On behalf of Gary Gurzynski, all CGI employees, and myself, we’re excited to officially begin this next phase of the Company’s long history in partnership with CORE. After four decades and two generations of family ownership, we’re confident CORE’s expertise and support will augment CGI’s leading reputation for dedicated customer service and reliable delivery of complex, tight-tolerance sheet metal parts and assemblies.”

Matthew Puglisi, Partner of CORE said, “We’re looking forward to working with the talented CGI management team to build upon the Company’s strong foundation with investments to accelerate organic growth through continued automation and digitization. We’ll also work to broaden the Company’s geographic reach, manufacturing capabilities and end-market mix through complementary acquisitions.”

CORE Senior Partner TJ Chung will become Chairman of the CGI Board of Directors.

Winston & Strawn LLP provided legal representation to CORE in the transaction. InterOcean Advisors acted as exclusive financial advisor to CGI in connection with this transaction.


About CORE Industrial Partners

CORE Industrial Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm with more than $700 million of capital commitments investing in North American lower middle-market manufacturing, industrial technology and services businesses. CORE’s team is comprised of highly experienced former CEOs and investment professionals with shared beliefs, deep experience, and a proven track record of building market-leading businesses. Through our capital, insight, and operational expertise, CORE partners with management teams and strives to build best-in-class companies with lasting results. For more information, visit www.coreipfund.com.


About CGI Automated Manufacturing

Founded in 1976, CGI Automated Manufacturing (“CGI”) is a leading provider of complex sheet metal production parts, assemblies and weldments for a variety of end markets, including electrical transmission and distribution, medical, food, lighting and industrials. Based outside Chicago, CGI offers numerous in-house manufacturing capabilities to effectively serve customers with lights-out manufacturing capabilities for mid- to high-volume production. For more information, visit www.cgiautomatedmanufacturing.com.

SOURCE: CORE Industrial Partners

M&A, Private EquityKerry Grady