Caxton-Iseman Capital, Inc. and Royal Palm Capital Partners, Inc. today announced that they have acquired American Residential Services L.L.C. (ARS), one of the nation's leading providers of HVAC and plumbing services with 2005 revenues of more than $500 million, from The ServiceMaster Company (NYSE: SVM). Caxton-Iseman is the majority investor in the transaction.
Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, ARS serves residential and light commercial customers under the ARS Service Express and Rescue Rooter brands. It operates through an extensive network of 57 locations in 24 states.
Caxton-Iseman and Royal Palm also announced that Donald K. Karnes has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ARS and David M. Slott has been named President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Karnes is a former Group President of the TruGreen Companies, a division of ServiceMaster, and Mr. Slott was President and Chief Operating Officer of TruGreen Chemlawn, the lawn care division of the business Mr. Karnes headed.
Frederick J. Iseman, Managing Partner of Caxton-Iseman Capital, said: "The acquisition of American Residential Services builds on our long history of investing in service businesses in partnership with exceptional managers. Because ARS is one of the few national providers in a fragmented industry, it is well-positioned to grow through acquisitions and other initiatives. Don Karnes and Dave Slott are ideally suited to lead the business given their past career accomplishments and general familiarity with ARS. We and Royal Palm look forward to working with Don and Dave to capitalize on new opportunities to further strengthen ARS's leading market positions."
Richard C. Rochon, Chairman and CEO of Royal Palm, said: "Our acquisition of American Residential Services continues our tradition of matching fragmented service businesses with seasoned industry executives. Royal Palm operating partners Don Karnes and Dave Slott will be very instrumental in building this company into a well respected industry leader."
Mr. Karnes began his career with TruGreen in 1979 when the company produced approximately $2 million in revenue. He held various management positions with the company and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of TruGreen ChemLawn in 1991. Mr. Karnes later rose to become Group President for The TruGreen Companies. Since 2004 he has served as an operating partner for Royal Palm Capital Partners.
Mr. Slott began his career with TruGreen in 1981 when the company produced revenues of approximately $4 million. He progressed through numerous branch, region and division management positions in the company, ultimately being appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1996. Under Mr. Slott's leadership, TruGreen Chemlawn grew in size to approximately $1 billion in revenue. Since 2004, Mr. Slott has served as an operating partner for Royal Palm Capital Partners. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Akerman Senterfitt LLP acted as legal counsel to Caxton-Iseman Capital and Royal Palm Capital Partners in connection with this acquisition.
About Caxton-Iseman Capital
Caxton-Iseman Capital, Inc. is a New York-based private equity firm. Its portfolio companies include Ply Gem Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of vinyl building products; Buffets, Inc., a leading owner and operator of buffet-style restaurants; Electrograph Systems, Inc., a leading national value-added distributor of display technology solutions; and Prodigy Health Group, Inc., a health care services company. Caxton-Iseman's investment vehicles have available capital in excess of $2 billion.
About Royal Palm Capital Partners
Royal Palm Capital Partners, Inc. is a private equity investment and management firm, and through its affiliates, the owner of controlling interests in publicly held Devcon International Corporation, a leading provider of electronic security services; Sunair Services Corporation, a leading regional provider of pest control and lawn care services; and Coconut Palm Acquisition Corporation, which announced its pending acquisition of Equity Broadcasting Corporation, a broadcast and media services company. RPCP focuses on making investments in companies operating in industries poised for consolidation and growth in the United States and partners with world-class management teams in their respective industries.
