BEAR CASTLE CAPITAL (“BEAR CASTLE”) FORMS NEW FIRE & LIFE SAFETY PLATFORM, ENDEAVOR FIRE PROTECTION (“ENDEAVOR”), WITH THE ACQUISITION OF VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS[...]

BEAR CASTLE CAPITAL ("BEAR CASTLE") FORMS NEW FIRE & LIFE SAFETY PLATFORM, ENDEAVOR FIRE PROTECTION ("ENDEAVOR"), WITH THE ACQUISITION OF VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ("VALLEY"), A U.S. FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES OPERATOR

Nov 6, 2026 | 2026

Endeavor Fire Protection seeks to build a best-in-class full-service national fire and life safety organization.

Endeavor Fire Protection, via its acquisition of Valley Fire Protection Systems, provides installation and repair services for fire sprinkler and plumbing systems throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Boston, MA - August 24, 2022 - Bear Castle Capital ("Bear Castle"), the leading building industry-focused private investment firm, has formed a new fire and life safety ("FLS") platform company concurrent with its acquisition of Valley Fire Protection Systems ("Valley").

Founded in 1974, Valley Fire Protection Systems is the partner of choice in the market, fostering deep customer relationships in its role as both sub- and prime-contractor. Valley installs, services, and repairs fire suppression and plumbing systems throughout the Midwestern United States. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of systems and services to a diverse customer base including the commercial, industrial, and government markets.

Robert B. Lane, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Bear Castle, said, "We are extremely happy to announce the formation of Endeavor Fire Protection and the closing of the Valley Fire Protection Systems acquisition. Bear Castle has deep relationships in the fire protection segment and has long wanted to build a platform in this vertical. Valley is an elite operator with a field-driven philosophy. The Company brings extraordinary capabilities and a long-standing reputation as a leader in the fire protection sector. Given the strong leadership at all levels of the Company, we believe Valley will continue to innovate and grow. We are confident that this will be a strong partnership."

Mr. Lane also noted, "Bear Castle prioritizes human capital management advancement in the labor-intensive building industry to build better businesses, generate better investment returns, and help employees improve their careers and lives. We have tremendous respect for the field, and we wish to provide these individuals, who perform a critical societal function under rugged conditions, the best opportunity to accomplish their professional and life goals. Over the last forty years, Valley has continuously demonstrated that the Company embodies respect for the field and prioritizes a people-first philosophy."

The transaction addressed the Valley management team's desire to recapitalize and grow the business. The entire Valley management team is remaining with the Company and is committed to growing Valley. Thomas Hartel, President of Valley Fire Protection, commented, "Choosing to partner with Bear Castle Capital to form Endeavor Fire Protection was an easy decision for us, especially given the strong cultural fit, safety emphasis, and focus on people. My family has been in the Fire Protection business for over 120 years. We greatly valued Bear Castle's shared commitment to employee growth and education as well as the complementary focus on teamwork and customer service. Our team believes this partnership will enhance our commitment and investment in our people and allow us to better serve our customers and communities. We feel confident in a bright future together."

Dave Sobota, Executive Vice President at Valley Fire Protection Systems, commented, "We could not be more excited. Bear Castle's focus on people development strongly resonated with our entire team. We are on a mission to not only be the very best fire protection and plumbing contractor, but also to be the very best place to work for our employees. Bear Castle's talent resources, access to growth capital, and deep industry relationships will allow us to greatly strengthen the wonderful foundation Valley has built over the last 40 years. This partnership will allow us to provide even more opportunities for our employees to better serve our customers."

Much Shelist acted as M&A legal counsel.

About Bear Castle Capital

Bear Castle Capital ("Bear Castle") is the leading private building industry-focused private investment firm. Founded by Robert B. Lane and Jennifer F. Fish in 2022, Bear Castle is building America by investing in innovation and empowering industry entrepreneurs as they work to solve the building needs of our changing world.