One Equity Partners and AHEAD Join Forces to Revolutionize the IT Services Industry

New York-based private equity firm, One Equity Partners (OEP), has successfully completed the sale of Computer Design & Integration LLC (CDI) to AHEAD, a leading provider of digital platforms for data, AI, infrastructure, and software development. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in the IT services industry, combining the expertise and capabilities of two industry leaders. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

CDI, founded in 1995, is an IT services firm headquartered in New York. They specialize in helping clients across various industries create, deploy, and manage multiplatform hybrid IT solutions. Their comprehensive solutions encompass areas such as security, application modernization, digital workflow, digital workspace, hybrid cloud infrastructure, intelligent operations, and managed services. OEP acquired CDI in December 2019, and since then, the company has experienced substantial growth.

"We were extremely pleased with CDI's growth and performance during our investment. Partnering with management, we were able to execute several initiatives that not only allowed CDI to do more business but to do business better," said Charlie Cole, Partner at OEP. "These included expanding CDI's service offerings in key areas like cybersecurity and cloud, driving international expansion to India, the UK, and Ireland, and strengthening relationships with key partners to sharpen CDI's service to clients across the globe."

Carlo Padovano, Partner at OEP, added, "CDI was a perfect example of the type of investment OEP seeks in the dynamic and rapidly advancing technology space. We were extremely satisfied with the pace of growth for the company over our hold period and see the sale to AHEAD as the best outcome for management and the business."

Under OEP's ownership, CDI witnessed a remarkable revenue increase of over 165% through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. One of the notable acquisitions was the integration of High Availability, a premier IT solution provider and integrator, in January 2021. CDI also expanded into new geographic markets and made significant investments in its service capabilities and employees.

"OEP was instrumental in helping us drive sustained growth over the past four years through a strategy that combined organic and inorganic growth initiatives," said Rich Falcone, CEO and President of CDI. "The firm's business development expertise, deep industry insight, and extensive network of relationships were essential in positioning CDI to begin this next chapter with AHEAD."

The partnership between OEP and AHEAD represents a groundbreaking opportunity for both companies to leverage their combined strengths and reshape the IT services landscape. With AHEAD's expertise in digital platforms and CDI's extensive service portfolio, the merged entity will provide clients with unrivaled solutions and support across various IT domains.

About One Equity Partners

One Equity Partners (OEP) is a middle-market private equity firm specializing in the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. With a focus on transformative business combinations, OEP aims to build market-leading companies. The firm's differentiated investment process, experienced team, and track record of generating long-term value make it a trusted partner. Since its inception in 2001, OEP has completed over 300 transactions globally. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com.

In conclusion, the acquisition of CDI by AHEAD through the efforts of One Equity Partners represents an exciting development in the IT services industry. The synergies and capabilities of these industry leaders will undoubtedly lead to innovative solutions and significant value creation for their clients. This strategic move showcases the commitment of both companies to staying ahead of the technological curve and providing cutting-edge services in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.