Business Expansion

Little Rock, Ark. – September 17, 2026 -- The Systems Group (TSG), a family-owned steel-industry service provider founded in 1970, has launched Systems Cool Air Solutions, an eighth operating division dedicated exclusively to HVAC work at steel mills and metal-related industrial facilities.

New division targets installations, maintenance and 24/7 emergency response for steel mills

Systems Cool Air Solutions will handle new HVAC installations, preventive maintenance programs and round-the-clock emergency service built for extreme steel mill conditions. Service offerings span control room and motor control center (MCC) climate systems, overhead crane cab HVAC and pressurization, custom ductwork and sheet metal fabrication, ventilation and exhaust systems, building automation and controls, and industrial refrigeration.

Orlando, Fla. – September 16, 2026 -- Penetron has appointed Dennis Keane as Specifications Specialist for the Western USA, expanding its Engineering Support team's reach across an 11-state territory including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Keane will manage specification development and product approvals for Penetron across the western region

Based in Chandler, Arizona, Keane is tasked with building relationships with architects, engineers, developers, and specification professionals, according to Cassandra Gouws, Technical Manager for Penetron USA. He will also pursue and maintain product approvals with cities, municipalities, and departments of transportation across the USA.

Birmingham, Ala. – September 15, 2026 -- Tom Beckbe, the Birmingham-based outdoor apparel maker, has secured a minority investment from Cox Outdoors, the newest division of Cox Enterprises.

Cox Enterprises Backs Family-Run Outdoor Brand

Cox Outdoors was created to partner with leading outdoor consumer brands, targeting conservation initiatives and long-term generational growth rather than short-term returns. Alex Taylor, chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises, said the partnership reflects shared family values and a conservation ethic between the two companies.

Founders Retain Control, Team and Operations

Tom Beckbe was founded in 2015 by Radcliff and Mary Menge and will continue to be independently run by its founders with the same team and values. Radcliff Menge, co-founder, said the Cox partnership will allow the company to deepen its focus on product quality, customer service and conservation support.

Summit, N.J. – September 15, 2026 -- Simplicity Group has acquired Whitney and Associates, LLC, a Des Moines, Iowa-based independent marketing organization, along with its affiliated Altitude Capital Management RIA, an integrated wealth and investment management platform.

Simplicity adds two new partners through the deal

Mitchell Whitney and Charles Johnson join Simplicity Group as Partners as part of the transaction. Both previously led Whitney and Associates, a wholesale IMO specializing in annuity, life insurance and wealth management solutions for independent advisors.

Denver – September 13, 2026 -- Galloway & Company, LLC has acquired Hafer Inc., a 70-person architecture, interior design, and MEP engineering firm based in Evansville, Indiana, growing Galloway's footprint to 21 offices across 13 states.

Galloway adds four Midwest offices through the Hafer deal

Hafer, founded in 1978, operates from Evansville, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Carbondale, Illinois. The firm delivers architecture, interior design, MEP engineering, landscape architecture, planning, and sustainable design services across healthcare, civic, corporate, higher education, K-12, religious, retail, restaurant, library, and aquatics projects.