News

The Mechanical Group is thrilled to announce a significant enhancement to our benefits package, made possible by the outstanding performance of our team and business from our valued clients! As part of our ongoing commitment to the well-being of our employees and their families, we are delighted to extend our existing 100% coverage of monthly premiums for medical, vision, dental and life insurance policies to now include all dependents!

We are proud to join less than 2% of HVAC companies in the country to offer these benefits to our employees!

This change reflects our dedication to providing comprehensive support to our team members, ensuring their peace of mind and security in both their personal and professional lives. Our aim is to alleviate this specific financial burden and cultivate a workforce that is not only healthier but also happier!

This is a thank you to both the employees and customers who have made it possible to enact these changes after such an exceptional year! We are continuing to grow and are excited for the future!

Lakeway, TX – In a heartwarming gesture, Climate Specialists from Austin, TX have come to the aid of a local resident, Peggy Antilley, who was burdened with exorbitant winter electricity bills due to an improperly installed heat pump condenser.

Winter in Texas can be unforgiving, and for many, a reliable heat source is vital. Unfortunately, Ms. Antilley found herself struggling with crippling energy bills, reaching an alarming $700 per month, all because of an inadequate heat pump condenser installed by her home warranty contractor.

In a display of community spirit and commitment to making a difference Climate Specialists stepped in to rectify the situation. Their expert team assessed the issue, and, without hesitation, installed a brand-new heat pump condenser – free of charge. This act of kindness not only restored warmth to Ms. Antilley's home but also alleviated the financial burden she had been facing.

Ms. Antilley expressed her gratitude, saying, "I was dreading another harsh winter with those enormous bills. Climate Specialists has been my savior. I can't thank them enough."

Matt Shaw, founder of Climate Specialists and COO of The Mechanical Group, personally responded to Ms. Antilley’s no heat call last winter. “When I arrived onsite, I was appalled at what I saw. To install an improper system without a heat source is gross negligence and I knew we needed to step in to make things right for her.”

The Mechanical Group and Climate Specialists has always been dedicated to the well-being of the community. This gesture embodies their mission to improve the lives of Lakeway residents. They urge everyone to ensure their HVAC systems are operating efficiently to avoid unnecessary energy expenses and to consider the welfare of neighbors, particularly the elderly, during extreme weather conditions.

For more information, contact (either) Climate Specialists at www.climatespcs.com or The Mechanical Group at www.mechanicalgroup.us

Las Vegas, NV - Sound Partners and Calico Group are proud to announce the formation of The Mechanical Group (“TMG”), an integrated, turnkey provider of comprehensive HVAC-R service for businesses and commercial enterprises across the Southwest. TMG was formed in 2023 through the merger of the firms' portfolio company, Tradewinds Mechanical, in Las Vegas, with the transformative acquisitions of S&R Air Conditioning in Los Angeles and Climate Specialists in Austin.

S&R was founded in 1987 and has been serving Southern California for nearly 38 years with the mission of providing best-in-class maintenance, emergency service, and repairs for commercial HVAC systems. S&R has been owned and operated by Todd and Maria Shaw, with the help of their son, Matt Shaw, who simultaneously started Climate Specialists in 2019. Climate Specialists has rapidly scaled in the high growth Austin market, specializing in providing HVAC solutions to the industrial, healthcare, technology, and hospitality industries in Central Texas.

Zepher Loesch, founder of Sound, expressed his excitement about partnering with Todd, Maria, and Matt Shaw to expand The Mechanical Group's operations. "We are thrilled to have Matt join as Chief Operating Officer of TMG and continue Todd and Maria's legacy of providing exceptional service to blue-chip customers across the Southwest. Matt’s technical knowledge, ability to train and build teams, and drive high quality performance for customers adds substantial value across the company," said Loesch.

Matt Shaw has been critical to S&R's success and has been intimately involved in the company while also scaling Climate Specialists. "I am ecstatic to partner with The Mechanical Group and take our collective expertise to new heights," said Matt Shaw. "S&R has a proud history of delivering best-in-class solutions to customers throughout Southern California, and Climate Specialists has grown rapidly to meet the HVAC needs of the growing Austin market. Together, we are excited to grow into a leading HVAC service provider across the Southwest."

Todd and Maria Shaw, the owners of S&R, expressed their pride in the reputation S&R has built with decades-long customers of the company. "We are pleased to have S&R’s legacy continue with The Mechanical Group and build on our strong tradition of providing top-notch HVAC services to commercial clients throughout Southern California," said Todd Shaw. "Our customers have come to rely on us for quality and expertise, and we look forward to leveraging our experience to help TMG achieve new levels of success."

The Mechanical Group provides a full range of HVAC-R maintenance, repair, and replacement services to commercial clients across industries, with an expertise in large, complex systems. The company's mission is to provide exceptional service and value to its customers while ensuring the highest quality standards in every aspect of its operations.

"The combination of these three great companies creates a powerful platform for growth," said Steven Brayet, Co-Founder of Calico Group and President of The Mechanical Group. "We are excited to partner with Matt to build a world-class HVAC-R service provider across the Southwest and deliver exceptional value to our customers. In less than 6 months since Sound and Calico acquired Tradewinds, we have more than doubled revenue and expanded operations across 3 states, with plans to continue and accelerate our growth even further. TMG is well-positioned for success, and we are eager to see what the future holds."

TMG will continue to invest in its people, processes, and technology to enhance its service offerings and ensure its customers receive the highest quality service. The company is poised for rapid growth and expansion in the Southwest and beyond.

The financial terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

About The Mechanical Group, LLC:

The Mechanical Group is an integrated, turnkey provider of comprehensive HVAC-R service for businesses and commercial enterprises across the Southwest. The company provides a full range of HVAC-R services, including installation, maintenance, and repair, to commercial clients in various industries, including healthcare, technology, and real estate. The Mechanical Group is committed to providing exceptional service and value to its customers while ensuring the highest quality standards in every aspect of its operations.

www.mechanicalgroup.us

About Sound Partners:

Sound Partners is a lower-middle market private equity fund focused on investing in companies with $2-$20 million in revenue across various sectors. Sound provides companies with operational and strategic support to help accelerate growth and drive long-term value creation. Sound is focused on investing in family and founder-owned businesses looking for support in transitioning to their next phase of growth and professionalization. Sound brings the collective experience of investors that have deployed over $1 billion of capital in private transactions and operators with substantial experience across industries including construction, facility services, distribution, and manufacturing.

www.soundpartnersllc.com

About Calico Group:

Calico Group is a private investment vehicle formed by serial entrepreneurs Morgan Strain and Steven Brayet. Calico prides itself on its ability to drive success in each of its investments, ranging from pre-revenue startups, mature operating businesses, and real estate. Calico investment approach is focused on driving outsized growth, professionalization, and value-creation through a boots-on-the-ground approach. Calico makes long-term investments in businesses across industries, including logistics, commercial and home services, and technology.

www.calicogroup.us

Calico Group—a private investment vehicle for Morgan Strain and Steven Brayet in Las Vegas, NV—and Sound Partners—a lower-middle market private equity fund founded in 2022 by managing partner Zepher Loesch—announce their joint acquisition of Tradewinds Mechanical, LLC, a commercial HVAC-R company also based in Las Vegas, NV.

Tradewinds was founded in 2009 by Joshua Symonds and Kirsten Castellanos, and has provided exceptional HVAC-R services to commercial clients throughout the Las Vegas region for nearly 15 years. Their personal commitment to quality work and customer satisfaction has earned Tradewinds the reputation as one of the leading and most trustworthy HVAC-R companies in the region. Its acquisition by Calico Group and Sound Partners will provide Tradewinds with substantial resources and support to cultivate its growth and success.

"We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Calico as operators and to welcome Tradewinds Mechanical into the Sound Partners portfolio," says Loesch. “We are impressed by the company's reputation, experience, and commitment to excellence. We look forward, with Calico Group, to working with the Tradewinds team to build upon their strong foundation and help the company reach new heights."

Calico’s Co-Founders also reveal their excitement and expectations for the acquisition. "Tradewinds is an outstanding company with the type of loyal customer base and proven track record of success we look for," says Strain. Their motto remains: Adds Brayet, "We’re thrilled to join with Sound Partners to sustain the growth and expansion of a company we believe in."

Tradewinds founder Symonds confirms, "Everyone here, too, is excited about this new chapter for Tradewinds Mechanical. We‘ve already seen Calico Group's and Sound Partners’ investment and expertise help multiply our service offerings and accelerate our growth.” He adds, “Of course, we remain committed to provide our customers with the highest quality HVAC-R maintenance possible as we continue to serve the Las Vegas community."

Under the new ownership, Tradewinds Mechanical will continue to operate with its current field technicians while Brayet serves as company President.