Mclean, Virginia-based By Light Professional IT Services is acquiring Cole Engineering Services Inc (CESI), an Orlando, Florida-based company that develops training products and technologies for military agencies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The buyout further blends By Light's IT services with military and defense research capabilities. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2019, pending approval by CESI shareholders and federal regulators, By Light said.
By Light gains CESI's expertise in such areas as developing simulation-based systems for military missions as well as designing interoperable architectures for engineering and training environments.
Bryan Cole, co-Founder and CEO of Cole Engineering, commented on the deal:
“Cole Engineering has built its reputation on three simple principles: listen and deliver, provide small company responsiveness and big company professionalism, and build systems that are easy for warriors to use. I am proud that we will join By Light which shares a similar culture, focused on delivery, service and support for the most demanding and critical national missions.”
Bole is expected to join By Light’s board of directors when the deal closes, the companies said.
By Light: Private Equity Backing, Acquisition Strategy
By Light, owned by private equity firm Sagewind Capital since May 2017, has made four acquisitions over the past two years or so. The buyouts include:
- May 2019: cyber training services contractor Metova Federal;
- March 2019: Phacil, a government-focused technology services contractor
- 2018: Axom Technologies.
