Technology & Business Solutions

Industrial Technology

Industrial environments are experiencing a second revolution as digitization enables information collection, processing and decision-making not previously possible. We see enormous opportunity to invest behind the transformation of manufacturing, distribution and logistics across the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced components and systems and tech-enabled services.

The Story of How We Became the Partner of Choice in Industrial Technology:

How deep sector expertise and thought leadership, years of relationship building and the power of building one successful investment on top of another create a lasting franchise.

THL aims to bring the mindset of a technology investor to industrial environments. We seek to partner with companies that drive manufacturing efficiency, process optimization and industrial leadership through brilliant mechanical design, intelligent software or a combination thereof.

Jim Carlisle Jim Carlisle Managing Director, Head of Technology & Business Solutions, Head of Automation Fund
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners
Press Release
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Funding enables KINEXON to accelerate international expansion and scale its operating system for connected and automated operationsBMW i Ventures and Telekom Innovation Pool co-invest and announce commercial partnerships MUNICH & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KINEXON, a leader in connected and automated processes, today announced a successful $130 Million Series A fundraise. Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader
Press Release
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader 

Complementary automation technology, software and engineering expertise LOUISVILLE, KY. and ATLANTA, GA. (April 18, 2022) – MHS Global (“MHS”), a leading global provider of material handling automation technology and systems integration, and Fortna (“Fortna”), a leading software and solutions provider for warehouse and distribution, will combine to form a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company providing parcel, warehouse and
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash 

Boston, MA – September 20, 2021 – Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, today announced a definitive agreement with Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”) to acquire its Semiconductor Solutions Group business (or “automation business”) in a transaction valued at $3 billion. The transaction is expected to close in
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership
Press Release
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership 

SoftBank to acquire 40% of AutoStore for $2.8 billion, valuing AutoStore at a $7.7 billion enterprise valueSoftBank accelerates AutoStore’s global expansion, with particular emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, and complements leading automation investor baseThomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. continues to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder Nedre Vats, Norway, April 5, 2021 – AutoStore, a leading global robotics
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire VanRiet
Press Release
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire VanRiet 

Combination Will Create Global Platform for Best-in-Class Automation Engineering, Products and Services LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Material Handling Systems, Inc. (“MHS”), a leading provider of advanced parcel sortation systems, engineering and equipment, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire VanRiet Material Handling Systems (“VanRiet”), a leading global provider of integration systems, equipment,
Material Handling Systems Acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems
Press Release
Material Handling Systems Acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems 

LOUISVILLE, KY. – Material Handling Systems, Inc. (“MHS”), a leading provider of advanced parcel sortation systems engineering and equipment, today announced that it has acquired Atronix Engineering, Inc. (“Atronix”), a leading controls systems integrator, and Advanced Production Systems, Inc. (“APS”), a dedicated specialist in engineering, design, and assembly of control panels. “We are excited to welcome
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners
Press Release
IoT Automation Pioneer KINEXON Raises $130m in Funding Round Led by Thomas H. Lee Partners 

Funding enables KINEXON to accelerate international expansion and scale its operating system for connected and automated operationsBMW i Ventures and Telekom Innovation Pool co-invest and announce commercial partnerships MUNICH & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KINEXON, a leader in connected and automated processes, today announced a successful $130 Million Series A fundraise. Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader
Press Release
MHS and Fortna to Combine to Create Global eCommerce and Logistics Automation Leader 

Complementary automation technology, software and engineering expertise LOUISVILLE, KY. and ATLANTA, GA. (April 18, 2022) – MHS Global (“MHS”), a leading global provider of material handling automation technology and systems integration, and Fortna (“Fortna”), a leading software and solutions provider for warehouse and distribution, will combine to form a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company providing parcel, warehouse and
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash
Press Release
Thomas H. Lee Partners to Acquire Automation Business from Brooks Automation for $3 Billion in Cash 

Boston, MA – September 20, 2021 – Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, today announced a definitive agreement with Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”) to acquire its Semiconductor Solutions Group business (or “automation business”) in a transaction valued at $3 billion. The transaction is expected to close in
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership
Press Release
SoftBank to Acquire 40% of AutoStore: Investment Reinforces AutoStore’s Global Automation Leadership 

SoftBank to acquire 40% of AutoStore for $2.8 billion, valuing AutoStore at a $7.7 billion enterprise valueSoftBank accelerates AutoStore’s global expansion, with particular emphasis on the Asia Pacific region, and complements leading automation investor baseThomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. continues to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder Nedre Vats, Norway, April 5, 2021 – AutoStore, a leading global robotics
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Closes Acquisition of OCM
Press Release
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Closes Acquisition of OCM 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Material Handling Systems, Inc. (“MHS”), a leading provider of advanced parcel sortation systems, engineering and equipment, today announced that it has acquired OCM (Officina Costruzioni Meccaniche), a European-based company that provides sortation system technologies to international courier and warehouse & distribution logistics companies. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Parma,
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire VanRiet
Press Release
Material Handling Systems, Inc. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire VanRiet 

Combination Will Create Global Platform for Best-in-Class Automation Engineering, Products and Services LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Material Handling Systems, Inc. (“MHS”), a leading provider of advanced parcel sortation systems, engineering and equipment, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire VanRiet Material Handling Systems (“VanRiet”), a leading global provider of integration systems, equipment,
Material Handling Systems Acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems
Press Release
Material Handling Systems Acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems 

LOUISVILLE, KY. – Material Handling Systems, Inc. (“MHS”), a leading provider of advanced parcel sortation systems engineering and equipment, today announced that it has acquired Atronix Engineering, Inc. (“Atronix”), a leading controls systems integrator, and Advanced Production Systems, Inc. (“APS”), a dedicated specialist in engineering, design, and assembly of control panels. “We are excited to welcome