How Marmic Used Axial to Close Three Add-Ons in One Year — And Then Sold to KKR

Marmic Fire & Safety®, a leader in end-to-end fire and life safety services, has been protecting lives and properties since 1951. Today, Marmic has more than 1,100 team members nationwide who install, inspect, and repair critical systems in thousands of client properties, including corporate and industrial locations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and retail establishments.

However, it hasn’t always been that way.

When Marmic joined Axial in January 2022, it was a much smaller business looking to scale through acquisition. The end goal? To become the most holistic provider of fire safety services in the United States.

Instant Access to the Right Inventory

As a strategic buyer in a fragmented market, Marmic recognized the importance of developing a structured M&A process that would allow the business to execute efficient and systematic sourcing cycles. With this in mind, Marmic joined Axial as a buy-side member and immediately began searching for relevant deals on the platform.

The platform enabled the Marmic team to instantly begin engaging with pre-vetted, trusted advisors who represented projects in their space. Just three days after joining Axial, Marmic pursued a deal that would become the first of three Axial-sourced add-on acquisitions. Within a month, the business had signed its first LOI.

“These acquisitions underpin our strategic growth in areas where there is a need for a comprehensive life safety provider. We’re proud to have the ability to take care of all the fire protection equipment needs of our customers.”
— Greg Bochicchio, CEO, Marmic Fire & Safety

The Deals

	Location	Topeka, KS
	Pursuit Date	1/17/22
	LOI Executed Date	2/24/22
	Close Date	7/29/22
	EBITDA Multiple	5.78x

	Location	Concord, NC
	Pursuit Date	8/16/22
	LOI Executed Date	10/3/22
	Close Date	12/13/22
	EBITDA Multiple	2.14x

	Location	Gardner, KS
	Pursuit Date	9/8/22
	LOI Executed Date	10/20/22
	Close Date	2/28/23
	EBITDA Multiple	3.99x

“Axial opened doors to a broader pool of qualified buyers that traditional channels couldn’t provide. Connecting us with buyers outside our immediate network allowed us to engage with strategic players who understood the value of the business. Axial is a great tool for advisors looking to close deals efficiently—it streamlines the process, speeds up connections, and maximizes the potential for successful outcomes. In the case of Marmic, their expertise and vision made them the perfect fit for this business. We moved swiftly from initial introduction to LOI, a testament to the platform’s ability to match the right buyers with the right opportunities. The acquisition was a great fit for Marmic’s roll-up strategy, allowing for growth and integration aligned with their broader goals.”
—  Debbie Small, Apex Business Advisors, M&A advisor in the KCFS transaction

Faster Roll-Up, Faster Exit

Following Marmic’s impressively swift and efficient roll-up came interest from larger, more sophisticated operators. KKR, a leading global investment firm with a large private equity platform, recognized the opportunity in both Marmic’s platform and growth trajectory.

Just sixteen months after completing its final add-on—and less than two years after joining Axial to concurrently kickstart and optimize its acquisition strategy—Marmic Fire & Safety joined the KKR portfolio for an undisclosed price.

“We believe Marmic represents a strong platform for continued growth in the essential fire and life safety services market. We look forward to supporting the company in its next phase of expansion while continuing to deliver best-in-class services to its customers.”
— Josh Weisenbeck, Partner, KKR
Read the full press release

With the right strategy, the right tools, and the right targets, Marmic was able to achieve a life-changing trajectory for its team in just 24 months.