The Stephens Group Acquires Quality Valve

Partnership enables continued growth of the leading specialty distribution platform for OEM replacement and repair parts for valves

The Stephens Group, LLC (“The Stephens Group”) announced today that it finalized its acquisition of Quality Valve, Inc. (“Quality Valve” or the “Company”) from Pfingsten. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Mobile, Alabama and founded in 1994, Quality Valve is the leading distributor of OEM valve replacement and repair parts and accessories, providing a brand-agnostic “one-stop shop” for customers across a variety of end markets with mission-critical MRO needs. Quality Valve supplies over 25,000 orders annually across 500 unique customers covering over 12,500 SKUs from over 100 leading suppliers, including manufacturers of various relief valves, control valves and various pump accessories including guides, bellows, springs, digital valve controllers, positioners, mounting kits, pressure relief valves, back pressure valves, pulsation dampeners chemical serving the petrochemical, power and utility, refining, water/wastewater and food and beverage processing industries. The Company prides itself on its unparalleled technical customer support available 24/7, speed and accuracy. The products it distributes are highly-regulated, MRO-driven products, with non-discretionary demand driven by safety requirements and mission-critical end use applications.

“We are thrilled to add Quality Valve to our family of companies,” said Grant Jones, Managing Director at The Stephens Group. “Quality Valve’s differentiated competitive positioning and their broad suite of low-cost, high-consequence-to-failure products make this business a perfect fit for our specialty distribution focus. We have a high degree of confidence in CEO Jody Dunn and the entire management team and the business they have built. We are looking forward to working together to execute on our shared vision to extend the leadership of this specialty distribution platform.”

“We are very excited to partner with The Stephens Group. Their team knows our industry and business model well and we look forward to working together to help accelerate our growth and continue building a market leading specialty distribution business,” said Quality Valve’s CEO, Jody Dunn. “I credit our success to our entire team. Every employee from operations to sales has built our business to where it is today, and I have full confidence in our team to execute on this next chapter with The Stephens Group.”

The transaction closed on December 6, 2022. The Stephens Group worked with Bryan Cave, LLP as legal counsel. Lincoln International acted as debt advisor and Audax Private Debt provided debt financing. BlackArch Partners acted as M&A advisor and Paul Hastings acted as legal advisor to Quality Valve.

About The Stephens Group, LLC

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private investment firm that partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses. Backed by the resources of the Witt Stephens, Jr. and Elizabeth Campbell families, the firm combines the operational expertise of a private equity firm with the flexibility provided by long-term capital. With nearly $2 billion of private equity assets under management, the firm has a long history of providing informed, sophisticated expertise and working with owners and managers to help them successfully achieve their strategic visions and build long-term value. Since 2006, The Stephens Group has invested in over 50 companies, targeting investments in industries across the U.S., including industrial and commercial products and services, specialty distribution, technology infrastructure and vertical software.

About Quality Valve, Inc.

Quality Valve, Inc. is a national distributor of OEM replacement and repair parts for safety and relief valves serving certified valve repair companies. The company utilizes its significant product knowledge, industry leading selection of parts and quick-turn shipping capabilities to help customers react to valve repairs and ensure safety for end-users around the world.

About Pfingsten

Pfingsten is an operationally focused private equity firm formed in 1989. From its headquarters in Chicago and representative offices in India and China, the firm builds better businesses through operational improvements, professional management practices, global capabilities and profitable business growth. Since completing its first investment in 1991, Pfingsten has raised five investment funds with total commitments of approximately $1.3 billion and has acquired 161 manufacturing, distribution and business services companies. For more information, please visit pfingsten.com.

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