The Riverside Company Secures Continued Growth with Add-On to DAWGS

The Riverside Company, a global investment firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has invested in Empty Building Security (EBS), an installer and rental provider of steel door and window security panels based in New Jersey. This investment is the second add-on to the firm's portfolio company, Door & Window Guard Systems (DAWGS), a premier provider of door and window guards designed to secure vacant properties.

EBS rents steel panels to secure vacant properties across the greater Newark, New Jersey area. The company's products, including durable door and window guards, help protect against theft, vandalism and unauthorized occupancy for a range of clients, including property managers, banks and real estate developers.

"Vacant properties require reliable solutions to meet wide ranging security concerns. When using DAWGS, owners and operators get peace of mind, protecting their investment and enabling growth in their communities," said Riverside Principal, Matthew Erbe. "By joining Empty Building Security with DAWGS, we are adding depth within an important market which will enable us to better serve new and existing customers."

This is the latest example of Riverside's commitment to its Safety, Security, Compliance and Risk Mitigation (SSCRM) investment thesis. Riverside has invested in more than 40 companies in the SSCRM sector since 1988 as part of its private equity and structured capital strategies.

"Empty Building Security has a strong foundation of hundreds of customer contracts, and joining DAWGS unlocks new avenues for expansion," said DAWGS CEO Nick Oberhouse. "We're pleased to welcome the EBS team to DAWGS and look forward to this next chapter."

Working on this investment for Riverside with Matthew Erbe were Co-Chief Investment Officer Brad Roberts, Principal Harrison Petts, Senior Associate Armando Torres, and Associate Love Patel. Senior Partner, Capital Markets, Anne Hayes secured debt financing.