NEWS

Petrol Plaza: We speak with Josh Finifter, Private Equity Principal at Access Holdings, which owns car wash platform Spotless Brands, about the growing interest of investment companies in the sector and the opportunities that these partnerships can bring to brands and operators.

Access Holdings is quickly becoming an important player in the North American car wash sector through its Spotless Brands platform, unifying operators under a single banner. Established in 2019, the project falls under the recent trend of private equity firms acquiring car wash networks throughout the United States. PetrolPlaza talks to Josh Finifter, Principal on the Investment Team, to know more about the opportunities that Spotless brings to partners, the development of its network and the potential of the car wash market.

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Former Comcast executive Michael Schreiber has launched a sports-focused advertising firm that pulses out 230 billion advertising impressions a year.

Michael Schreiber calls his start-up firm the biggest sports network that “you’ve never heard of, and that’s OK.”

Almost two years ago, the former Comcast Corp. executive launched the sports-ad firm Playfly Sports LLC in Chester County that now reaches 83% of U.S. sports fans, pulsing 230 billion advertising impressions a year through 8,500 professional and college televised games, streaming platforms, digital banners, radio shows and newsletters.

Baltimore, MD – Zeus Fire & Security (Zeus), a portfolio company of Baltimore-based Access Holdings, today announced a new partnership with Universal Atlantic Systems (UAS), a Philadelphia-based national provider of integrated security systems that will make Zeus one of the top 15 largest fire and security providers in the U.S. UAS President Scott Elkins, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, will become the CEO of Zeus.

As a mid-market investment firm specializing in buy-and-build strategies, Access Holdings partners, scales, and innovates to build enduring businesses. Access Holdings will support both UAS and Zeus’ future growth, recruit best-in class talent and leadership, implement and develop new digital tools, identify M&A opportunities, and provide long-term strategic guidance.

The New York Times: Also in 2019, a major operator of funeral homes, Foundation Partners Group, bought the start-up Tulip Cremation, which today is active in eight states. It has deep pockets behind it: Foundation Partners Group’s parent company is the private equity firm Access Holdings, which said last year that it was investing $150 million in improving the tech side of the funeral business.

The pitch, to consumers and investors, boils down to convenience and price. The companies point to the growing number of Americans who live away from home as a target demographic.

“It wouldn’t be that uncommon to see an older parent pass in Florida, for example, while their children live somewhere up in the Northeast,” said Mike Doyle, Tulip’s general manager. That doesn’t mean people will automatically turn to an online start-up. Many families have visited the same funeral homes for generations, and it will take more than a little bit of inconvenience to get customers to sign up.

Baltimore, MD – Zeus Fire & Security (Zeus), a portfolio company of Baltimore-based Access Holdings, today announced a new partnership with Spring Rock Capital (Spring Rock); and its portfolio company, Alert Alarm Holdings (Alert), which operates under Alert Alarm and SMG Security (SMG). Alert, through its two operating subsidiaries, provides comprehensive fire safety and security services to over 33,000 commercial and residential customers.

As a mid-market investment firm specializing in buy-and-build strategies, Access Holdings partners, scales, and innovates to build enduring businesses. Access Holdings, Spring Rock Capital, and Zeus will support Alert, as well as future partners, as they seek to grow. Access Holdings will support Zeus as it scales and innovates, specifically helping recruit best-in class talent and leadership, implement and develop new digital tools, identify M&A opportunities, and provide long-term strategic guidance.