OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL – January 28, 2021 – Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Prairie”), a leading middle-market investment bank, acted as financial advisor to The Douglas Company in the sale of the company to an employee stock ownership plan.

Founded in 1976, The Douglas Company is a recognized industry leader in commercial construction, specializing in Senior Living and Multi-Family Housing in a wide variety of markets. With headquarters in Holland, Ohio, as well as a southeastern office in Orlando, Florida, they have been supplying construction services to clients for over 40 years. The Douglas Company prides itself on its ability to provide experience, integrity, professionalism and exceptional client service while managing risk and controlling costs every step of the way.

Prairie worked closely with the management team and sellers, providing advisory expertise and managing the preparatory, due diligence and negotiation phases of the transaction, as well as structuring the financing for the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “After considering various ownership transition structures for The Douglas Company, it was evident that an ESOP met nearly all of my near- and long-term ownership transition objectives,” says Peter Douglas, President of The Douglas Company. “Transitioning ownership to our employees was the ideal solution for next generation leaders, our associates and our company. Prairie’s team demonstrated the expertise and guidance needed in structuring the right ESOP transaction for all of us.”

“Peter had a very clear vision of the future and how the ESOP could help contribute to the growth, success and independence of the Company,” commented Dave Diehl, CEO at Prairie. “It was a pleasure working with the Douglas team throughout the entire transaction process,” added Franco Silva, Director at Prairie. “This transaction represents another successful construction engagement completed by Prairie as we continue to serve middle-market family- and founder-owned businesses in this industry.”

About Prairie Capital Advisors
Prairie offers investment banking, ESOP advisory, valuation advisory and financial reporting valuations to support the growth and ownership transition strategies of middle-market companies. Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the company is a leading advisor to closely-held companies nationwide. Prairie was named the 2020 Valuations & Fairness Opinions Advisor of the Year by M&A Atlas. For more information, visit www.prairiecap.com.