Riverside Hits The Road For Latest Acquisition

19 january 2013

Add-on to DISA Serves Transportation Industry

The Riverside Company has acquired Operating Tax Systems, LLC (OTS) as an add-on to its DISA platform. OTS primarily serves the commercial motor vehicle industry, providing driver and vehicle compliance services, including fuel tax reporting, driver log auditing, licensing, permitting and fuel tax recovery.

Based in Stow, Ohio, OTS serves clients that include commercial trucking companies and operators of privately owned fleets. Houston-based DISA is a provider of employee screening and related services for a variety of safety-sensitive industries. OTS adds transportation to the list of industries served by DISA.

“We’ve been looking for opportunities to expand DISA in the transportation sector, and OTS is a wonderful fit,” said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “The company has a proven track record and a growing roster of satisfied customers.”

OTS was founded in 1991, and has grown alongside increasing requirements for compliance and enforcement in the transportation industry.

Many DISA customers have requested the auditing and tax services OTS provides. The addition of OTS deepens DISA’s service offering while also diversifying its capabilities.

“We expect this deal to benefit both OTS and DISA customers right away,” said DISA CFO Lance Hack. “The two companies provide many complementary services, and we see a lot of cross-selling potential that will make things easier and more effective for customers.”

Working with Schlachet on the transaction for Riverside were Principal Brian Sauer, Associate Elaine Ho, Operating Partner Dan Colbert and Operating Executive – Finance David Pecore.

Fifth Street Finance Corp provided financing for the transaction. Lape, Mansfield & Nakasian and BDO provided DISA with legal counsel and accounting support, respectively.

The Riverside Company
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring growing businesses valued at up to $200 million (€200 million in Europe). Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 300 transactions. The firm’s international portfolio includes more than 75 companies.