BOSTON, Massachusetts — March 2, 2026
Executive Summary
Watermill Group has announced the completion of the sale of Cooper Turner Beck (CTB) to Waterland Private Equity, marking the culmination of a multi-year ownership period during which CTB significantly expanded its global footprint, operational scale, and market position. CTB is a global provider of safety-critical fastening solutions serving energy, power generation, construction, and other demanding industrial markets. During Watermill Group’s ownership, the company executed a strategy centered on organic growth and acquisitions, expanded operations from three to eight countries, increased its facilities to 21 worldwide, more than doubled its workforce, and strengthened its leadership position in energy-focused fastening systems. The transaction transfers ownership to Waterland Private Equity, a European private equity firm specializing in scaling industrial businesses. The sale reflects Watermill’s continued execution of its long-term investment strategy and highlights CTB’s growth trajectory and profitability achieved in recent quarters.
Announcement Overview
Watermill Group, a strategy-driven private investment firm headquartered in Boston, has completed the sale of Cooper Turner Beck (CTB) to Waterland Private Equity. The transaction follows a period of sustained operational growth and geographic expansion for CTB under Watermill’s ownership.
Cooper Turner Beck operates as a global provider of safety-critical fastening solutions used in sectors that require high-performance components capable of withstanding demanding and rigorous environments. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes specialized fasteners to customers operating in energy production, power generation infrastructure, construction, and related industrial markets.
Since becoming part of the Watermill portfolio, CTB has expanded its operational reach from three countries to eight, grown to 21 facilities worldwide, and increased its workforce significantly. The company also completed transformational acquisitions and broadened its customer base and product portfolio.
The sale to Waterland Private Equity represents the next phase in CTB’s development as it continues serving global industrial markets.
Evolution of Cooper Turner Beck Under Watermill Ownership
During its tenure within the Watermill Group portfolio, CTB pursued a structured growth strategy focused on international expansion, operational capability enhancement, and market leadership in safety-critical fastening systems.
The company scaled its geographic footprint from three countries to eight countries worldwide. This expansion brought the total number of operational facilities to 21 globally, reinforcing its ability to serve customers across multiple regions and energy markets.
In parallel with geographic growth, CTB more than doubled its workforce. The expansion of human capital supported manufacturing scale, customer service capabilities, and product development initiatives aligned with market demand.
The company also completed transformational acquisitions during this period. These acquisitions supported portfolio expansion, enhanced technical capabilities, and strengthened CTB’s ability to address the full spectrum of energy and industrial fastening requirements.
According to Watermill Group, these initiatives contributed to CTB becoming the top supplier of safety-critical fastening systems to the energy industry worldwide. The company also achieved the highest levels of market share gains and profitability in recent quarters, reflecting sustained commercial performance and operational execution.
CTB’s Role in Energy and Industrial Markets
Cooper Turner Beck operates in sectors that demand precision-engineered fastening systems capable of performing under high stress, extreme temperatures, and other rigorous operational conditions. Its products are used in applications where safety, reliability, and compliance with engineering standards are critical.
The company serves customers across:
- Energy production and infrastructure
- Power generation facilities
- Construction and heavy industrial applications
- Other markets requiring high-performance fastening systems
CTB designs, manufactures, and distributes these safety-critical fasteners globally, supplying world-leading customers whose operations depend on the reliability and durability of fastening components.
The company’s ability to combine design expertise with manufacturing scale has positioned it as a global provider serving demanding industrial environments.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement Type: Portfolio Company Sale / Private Equity Exit
- Announcing Party: Watermill Group
- Transaction: Sale of Cooper Turner Beck (CTB)
- Seller: Watermill Group
- Buyer: Waterland Private Equity
- Buyer Description: European private equity firm specializing in scaling industrial businesses
- Company Sold: Cooper Turner Beck (CTB)
- Company Classification: Global provider of safety-critical fastening solutions
- Primary Industry Focus: Industrial fastening systems
- Core Application Focus: Safety-critical fastening systems
- Primary End Markets:
- Energy
- Power generation
- Construction
- Other demanding industrial markets
- Customer Profile: World-leading industrial customers operating in rigorous environments
- Product Scope:
- Design of safety-critical fasteners
- Manufacturing of safety-critical fasteners
- Distribution of safety-critical fastening systems
- Performance Environment: Products engineered for high-performance and rigorous operating conditions
- Ownership Period Impact: Strategic transformation and scaling under Watermill Group
- Geographic Expansion During Ownership:
- Expanded from three countries to eight countries
- Global Footprint at Time of Sale:
- Operations across eight countries
- 21 facilities worldwide
- Workforce Growth During Ownership: More than doubled
- Strategic Growth Approach:
- Organic development
- Transformational acquisitions
- Strategic Market Focus: Serving the total energy market
- Operational Expansion:
- Broadened customer base
- Expanded product portfolio
- Increased global footprint
- Market Position Achieved: Top supplier of safety-critical fastening systems to the global energy industry
- Recent Performance Indicators:
- Highest levels of market share gains in recent quarters
- Highest levels of profitability in recent quarters
- Transaction Advisors – Financial: Baird (sell-side advisory services)
- Transaction Advisors – Legal: Jasso Lopez (sell-side legal services)
- CMS (sell-side legal services)
- Strategic Outcome Post-Transaction:
- Transition to ownership under Waterland Private Equity
- Positioning for next chapter of growth under new partner
- Watermill Strategic Context:
- Continued execution of long-term growth strategy
- Advancement of 40+ year track record of transforming and scaling market-leading companies
- Headquarters of Seller: Boston, Massachusetts
- Announcement Date: March 2, 2026
Strategic Context
According to Watermill Group, the sale of Cooper Turner Beck underscores the firm’s continued execution of its long-term growth strategy focused on acquiring, transforming, and scaling market-leading businesses.
Watermill has operated for more than four decades, applying strategic insight and management expertise to companies within its portfolio. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on operational improvement, disciplined growth initiatives, and international expansion where appropriate.
Under Watermill’s ownership, CTB’s expansion from three to eight countries and the increase to 21 global facilities aligned with this strategy. The company’s acquisition activity and broadened customer base were also structured to strengthen its presence in energy and industrial markets.
The sale to Waterland Private Equity introduces a new ownership group specializing in scaling industrial businesses across Europe and internationally. According to the announcement, CTB is positioned for its next chapter under Waterland’s leadership.
The transaction also reflects continued buyer interest in industrial companies demonstrating profitability, global reach, and strong market positioning within essential infrastructure and energy supply chains.
Leadership Statements
Anthony Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Turner Beck, commented on the company’s development during its partnership with Watermill Group.
“Together with Watermill Group, we have concentrated our strategy on serving the total energy market through our organic developments and acquisitions,” said Anthony Brown, CEO of Cooper Turner Beck. “This approach resulted in us expanding our customer base, product portfolio and global footprint. This broader market strategy, driven by the dedication of our people, led to our increased profitability and growth.”
Steven Karol, Managing Partner at Watermill Group, reflected on the partnership and CTB’s growth trajectory during its time within the firm’s portfolio.
“We’re incredibly proud of the growth of Cooper Turner Beck during its tenure as part of the Watermill Group portfolio,” said Steven Karol, Managing Partner at Watermill Group. “This has been a true partnership with Anthony Brown and the team since day one as we shaped a vision, invested in the team, supported international expansion, and reinforced the company’s longstanding commitment to quality. We look forward to witnessing the company’s continued success with its new partner, Waterland.”
Transaction Advisory and Legal Support
Baird acted as exclusive sell-side financial advisor to Watermill Group in connection with the sale of Cooper Turner Beck to Waterland Private Equity. In this role, Baird supported the transaction process, including strategic positioning, buyer engagement, transaction structuring, and execution coordination through closing.
Legal advisory services on the sell-side were provided by Jasso Lopez and CMS. Counsel supported Watermill Group in matters relating to transaction documentation, regulatory considerations, due diligence processes, and completion mechanics associated with the transfer of ownership.
The engagement of financial and legal advisors facilitated the structured execution of the transaction and supported the orderly transition of ownership from Watermill Group to Waterland Private Equity.
Watermill Group’s Long-Term Investment Approach
Watermill Group describes itself as a strategy-driven private investment firm focused on helping companies achieve their full potential through strategic transformation. The firm has been acquiring, operating, and improving companies for more than 40 years.
Its investment model centers on identifying businesses where strategic insight and management expertise can be applied to reimagine future growth trajectories. This includes operational refinement, market expansion, and long-term value creation initiatives.
The sale of CTB represents another portfolio milestone within Watermill’s 40-plus year track record of transforming and scaling companies.
According to the firm, its long-term strategy emphasizes sustainable growth and disciplined investment execution. Portfolio companies often undergo structured transformation initiatives designed to strengthen competitive positioning and global reach.
Cooper Turner Beck’s Global Infrastructure Expansion
A central feature of CTB’s development during Watermill’s ownership was its international infrastructure expansion. Moving from operations in three countries to eight countries significantly broadened its manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
The establishment and integration of 21 facilities worldwide enhanced CTB’s proximity to customers and key industrial markets. The expansion also supported improved supply chain responsiveness and strengthened the company’s ability to serve energy and infrastructure clients operating across multiple regions.
The doubling of the workforce further expanded operational capacity. According to the announcement, the workforce growth was aligned with product portfolio expansion and broader market strategy initiatives.
This period of expansion coincided with market share gains and increased profitability in recent quarters, reflecting the operational scaling achieved during the ownership period.
Positioning for the Next Chapter
With the transaction completed, Cooper Turner Beck transitions to ownership under Waterland Private Equity. Waterland is described as a European private equity firm specializing in scaling industrial businesses.
The company’s expanded footprint, established customer relationships, and strengthened profitability position it for continued development under its new ownership structure.
According to Watermill Group, CTB is poised for its next chapter following a period of structured growth, acquisition activity, and operational scale expansion.
The transaction marks the conclusion of Watermill’s ownership phase and the beginning of a new period under Waterland’s leadership.
About Watermill Group
Watermill Group is a Boston-based, strategy-driven private investment firm focused on acquiring and transforming businesses through structured operational improvement and strategic growth initiatives. Founded more than four decades ago, the firm has built a long-standing track record of investing in, operating, and scaling companies across a range of industrial and commercial sectors.
Watermill seeks businesses where it can apply a differentiated combination of strategic insight and hands-on management expertise. The firm works alongside leadership teams to refine operational processes, expand market reach, strengthen organizational capabilities, and drive long-term value creation.
Through disciplined investment selection and structured transformation initiatives, Watermill has supported companies in reimagining their growth trajectories and strengthening their competitive positioning. The firm’s approach emphasizes sustainable development, operational rigor, and scalable expansion aligned with long-term strategic objectives.
With more than 40 years of experience in private investment and company transformation, Watermill Group continues to execute its strategy of identifying and advancing market-leading businesses.
Learn more at: www.watermill.com.
Media Contact
For additional information, visit watermill.com, cooperturnerbeck.com & waterlandpe.com.
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement