The May/June 2025 issue of DBusiness magazine features the success story of Christopher Caron, Managing Director, who was recently recognized by ACG Detroit as Investment Banker of the Year.
/ DBusiness Magazine / Building and enhancing business relationships are paramount to Christopher Caron, managing director of Blue River Financial Group, a middle-market M&A advisory firm in Bloomfield Township. With more than 20 years of finance and operational experience, especially within the industrial and manufacturing sectors, Caron says everyone, no matter their professional career, is in the “people business.”
Consider one deal last year where the family that owned AllClear Underground Solutions near Tampa, Fla., personally requested Caron to help facilitate the company’s acquisition of Engineered Spray Solutions in Lakeland, Fla. While the deal was attempted several years ago, it never closed. When circumstances changed, Caron received a call from the owners.
“I tell the people I work with, as well as potential buyers and sellers, that it doesn’t matter the industry you work in, we’re all in the people business, and relationships are so important,” Caron says. “To have the family owners of All-Clear call back after first working with them a few years back was largely due to putting our best foot forward and doing our research.”
Last September, AllClear, a provider of underground water and wastewater infrastructure repair and rehabilitation services, announced its purchase of Engineered Spray Solutions. The deal allowed AllClear, formed in 2022 with the acquisition of Rowland Inc. in Florida, to enhance its capabilities, improve efficiency, and broaden its service offerings.
“The acquisition not only enhances All-Clear’s capabilities in providing high-quality underground rehabilitation services, but also strengthens their investment in Rowland, enabling them to offer a broader suite of solutions across key markets,” Caron says.
“With ESS’s expertise in specialized coatings, AllClear is well-positioned to deliver even greater value to municipalities in the Southeast, expanding on its mission to improve essential infrastructure.”
Among other transactions Caron helped consummate last year, Blue River advised Specialty Products and Insulation in Charlotte, N.C., a distributor and fabricator of mechanical and building insulation products and a portfolio company of Incline Equity Partners, on the acquisition of Florida Spray Foam.
Founded in 1982, Specialty Products and Insulation (SPI) supplies 35,000 different products across commercial, industrial, residential, marine, and OEM markets that are used in thermal, acoustic, and fire protection applications. Florida Spray Foam, a source for insulation material and equipment, offers spray foam products and a full stock of common fiberglass, mineral wool, and blown-in material.
“The transaction represents a strong strategic fit, enhancing SPI’s presence and capabilities in the insulation market, particularly in Central and South Florida,” Caron says. “We look forward to seeing the combined entity continue to deliver high-quality products and solutions across a wide range of industries.”
Throughout a given year, Caron works with an array of advisers for buyers and sellers including investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, valuation firms, banks, mezzanine lenders, insurance agents, consultants, and more.
“We cover most of North America and primarily the U.S., and (have) a few ventures in Europe,” Caron says. “When we build good relationships with our clients and develop a level of trust, we’re more likely to have fruitful conversations
that lead to good outcomes.”
Courtesy of DBusiness magazine, written by R.J. King. Original content is available in the May/June 2025 digital edition of DBusiness magazine.
Christopher Caron brings over 20 years of finance and operational experience. He is a Buy-side Project Leader and M&A Advisor on numerous acquisition strategies in value added distribution, precision manufacturing and heavy industrials.
About Blue River
Blue River Financial Group is a middle market merger and acquisition advisory firm headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It assists corporations, private equity groups and individuals in the sale and acquisition of businesses, and has 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.
