Blue River Advises Automation & Control Inc on Sale to Ondex Automation

February 25, 2025 – Blue River Financial Group has advised Automation & Control Inc. (“ACI”), a Moorestown, NJ-based leader in control systems and industrial automation services, on its sale to ONDEX Automation. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in ONDEX Automation’s mission to deliver innovative automation solutions to its North American manufacturing customers.

Founded in 1995 by President Ron Iannacone, ACI is a systems integrator offering factory automation engineering, full-service industrial electrical contracting services and standard, custom UL control panels and factory floor data collection. The company has cultivated deep customer relationships across the pharmaceutical, packaging, and chemical sectors, earning a reputation for quality and innovation.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership presents for our team and our customers,” said Mr. Iannacone. “ONDEX Automation’s resources and industry expertise will enable us to continue delivering high quality system integration services while exploring new avenues for growth.”

ONDEX Automation is a Chicago-based factory automation systems integrator providing innovative automation solutions that enhance quality, improve productivity and build resilient operations. Backed by Shore Capital Partners, ONDEX Automation is building a leading system integrator to serve the needs of our North American manufacturing customers.

‍Shore Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm with offices in Nashville, is an investor in lower middle market companies in the Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Business Services, Industrial, and Real Estate industries. Shore’s strategy is to support management partners to grow faster with less risk through access to capital, world-class board and operational resources, and unmatched networking, development, and shared learnings across the portfolio.

“We are thrilled to welcome ACI to the ONDEX platform,” said Justin Kerr, CEO of ONDEX. “ACI’s extensive capabilities will not only accelerate our strategic goals across the business but also create new growth opportunities for both our current and future customers.”

“It was a pleasure working with Ron to find the right partner to take ACI forward. Ron founded and built ACI over the course of 30 years and it is exciting to see the combined strengths of Ondex and ACI”, said Thomas Hagan, Managing Director and Industrial Automation Industry Leader at Blue River.

“I have known Ron Iannacone for a long time and have always respected his intelligence and strong ethics. He has built a growing company, ACI, in his image, that is respected throughout the industry as evidenced by their many long-standing customer relationships. The combination with ONDEX should provide many opportunities for ACI to continue to drive and expand its mission. I am thrilled for both the ONDEX and ACI teams”, said Bryan Berent, Managing Partner and Founder of Blue River.

About Blue River

Blue River Financial Group is a middle market merger and acquisition advisory firm. We assist corporations, private equity groups and individuals in the sale and acquisition of businesses and have completed assignments in multiple business segments. With over 20 years of experience spanning across 50 global industries, Blue River provides a suite of services to middle market clients including corporate development, private equity support, valuations, and transaction consulting, placing a premium on relationship-centered transaction counsel and client focus.

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