Back to News

Generational Equity Advises Tools for Industry in its Sale to BlackHawk Industrial Distribution

By Generational Equity

12/02/2021

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client Tools for Industry, Inc. to BlackHawk Industrial Distribution, Inc. BlackHawk Industrial also acquired Tools for Industry’s affiliate, Service for Industry. The acquisition closed November 9, 2021.

Tools for Industry (TFI) and Service for Industry (SFI) are an industrial distributor and manufacturer located in Dayton, Ohio. TFI distributes specialty cutting tools and industrial supplies. The Company also manufactures specialty drill bits and offers complementary grinding solutions.

Overall, TFI’s product line includes various end mills, router bits, engraving and chamfer tools, milling cutters, taps and dies, thread mills, internal and external turning bits, collets, deburring and broaching tools, hole cutters, boring heads and systems, abrasives, specialty measuring tools, and other related supplies.

TFI is well known in the regional market and has an excellent reputation for the breadth of products offered, customer service, technical knowledge, and the timely delivery of products.

BlackHawk Industrial Distribution (BlackHawk), located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an industrial distributor, focused on metalworking products such as carbide cutting tools, abrasives, saw blades and fluids. They also provide a full-line MRO product offering. BlackHawk also has the expertise and capability to provide custom industrial vending solutions and creative supply chain solutions. The highly technical sales staff strives to deliver world-class service and cost savings across the customer’s production floor.

The acquisition of TFI/SFI strengthens BlackHawk’s presence in southwestern Ohio. BlackHawk President and CEO John Mark explained, “Not only are we picking up a great team with a broad range of new customers, we are also increasing the breadth of our solutions with the addition of some unique manufacturing capabilities. TFI/SFI is a great fit for BlackHawk and our culture.”

Tim Ozvath, former president of TFI, will join BlackHawk as team leader and will help to integrate TFI into BlackHawk’s Dayton branch. Thirteen TFI/SFI associates will likewise join the BlackHawk family.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A – Central Region, Michael Goss, and his team, led by Managing Director, M&A, Jerry Yocum, with support from Managing Director, M&A, Ryan Johnson, successfully closed the deal. Senior Managing Director Brian Hendershot established the initial relationship with TFI/SFI.

“Both the buyer and sellers worked very hard and diligently to get this over the finish line. It is a great fit for both parties,” said Yocum.

About Generational

Headquartered in Dallas, Generational is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 17 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named the company Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. For more information, visit https://www.generational.com.