Top 100 parent continues diversification strategy
By
Nick Wakeman
The Berger Group's acquisition of Hawthorne Services brings another division to its Louis Berger Services group.
Berger Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of Louis Berger Group, is expanding its aircraft and military base support services with the acquisition of Hawthorne Services Inc.
Louis Berger Group is ranked No. 95 on the 2012 Washington Technology Top 100 list of the largest government contractors.
The acquisition of Hawthorne Services by Berger Group Holdings is part of a strategy to grow the company’s operations and maintenance platform. “We continue to enhance our support for government operations and maintenance, transportation, fueling services, airfield operations, facilities services and specialized technical services,” said CEO Nicholas Masucci.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hawthorne has 350 employees, and is based in Charleston, S.C. One of its biggest customers is Fort Bragg, N.C., where the company owns and operates a fuel storage and refueling system for the Army.
The Berger Group purchased Hawthorne because it sees growth opportunities coming out of the Defense Logistics Agency for more efficient and cost-effective operations, said Steve Townes, president of Louis Berger.
Hawthorne will become a fourth division for Louis Berger.
The investment bank Aronson Capital Partners served as an advisor to Hawthorne. The acquisition closed Dec. 28.