Generational Group Advises Douglass Safety Systems in its Sale to Municipal Emergency Services

By Generational Group

11/03/2020

Generational Group, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Douglass Safety Systems, Inc., to Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. The acquisition closed October 19, 2020 and details were not disclosed.

Douglass Safety Systems (DSS), located in Sanford, Michigan and founded in 1994, is a leading safety equipment supplier to municipal and volunteer fire departments and industrial corporations throughout the state of Michigan. DSS differentiates itself through its 25-year history, brand name, experienced sales reps, commitment to customers, and by providing industry-leading products and superior service.

Established in 2001, Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. (MES) has quickly grown to be a leading supplier of many of the best brands in the fire service, including 3M Scott, Honeywell, FireDex, Seek Thermal, Hurst Jaws of Life, Matex Hose, 5.11 Tactical, and Genesis Rescue Systems. With a national network of sales representatives, mobile service technicians, and in-house service centers strategically located around the United States, they can assure that their customers purchase quality name brand equipment. Headquartered in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, the company employees a team of over 400 dedicated employees to serve communities throughout the United States.

Tom Hubregsen, MES CEO, commented, “We are excited to welcome the DSS team into the MES family. With our shared values around customer service, knowledgeable sales professionals and service technicians, DSS is a perfect addition for MES.”

Doug Engwis, owner of DSS, remarked, “Now DSS customers will have access to MES’s extensive line of products and services. In addition, our customers will be able to leverage MES’s state of the art ordering and e-commerce platforms.”

Generational Group Executive Managing Director of M&A – Central Region, Michael Goss, and his team led by Senior M&A Advisor, Joe Hige, with the support of Managing Director, Ryan Johnson, successfully closed the deal. Senior Managing Director Ashok Tandon established the initial relationship with DSS.

“The nationwide fire service distribution capability of MES will strengthen the dominant sales and service provided by the DSS brand in the state of Michigan,” said Hige.


About Generational

Generational Group, headquartered in Dallas, TX, is a leading, award winning full-service M&A advisory firm. Generational has over 300 professionals across 16 offices in North America. The firm empowers business owners to unlock the full value of their companies through a comprehensive suite of services—including strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A advisory, digital solutions, and wealth management.

Celebrating its 20th year, Generational has successfully closed over 1,700 transactions and consistently ranks #1 or #2 in all LSEG league tables for deals valued between $25 million and $500 million.

The firm was named 2024 USA Investment Banking Firm of the Year by the Global M&A Network and recognized as Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor in both 2024 and 2022.