For the 21st time, the editors of Buyouts honor exceptional buyouts with our Deal of the Year Awards.

Winners are chosen in seven categories: Deal of the Year, Large-Market Deal of the Year, Middle-Market Deal of the Year, Small-Market Deal of the Year, Turnaround of the Year, International Deal of the Year, and Secondaries Deal of the Year.

Go here to download a PDF of the Deal of the Year Awards 2021 application.

If you have additional questions, email Private Equity Editor Chris Witkowsky at cwitkowsky@buyoutsinsider.com.

PAST WINNERS

2020

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Large-Market Deal of the Year: New Mountain Capital for Equian, a healthcare payment integrity provider. Read the full story.
• Middle-Market Deal of the Year: FFL Partners for Crisis Prevention Institute, which provides workplace training focused on the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: Trivest for Pelican Water Systems, which provides salt-free water filtration and treatment. Read the full story.
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: KPS Capital Partners for Chassis Brakes International. Read the full story.
• International Deal of the Year: Partners Group for Vermaat Groep, a high-end catering and hospitality business. Read the full story.
• Secondaries Deal of the Year: Warburg Pincus for Allied Universal, a business services company specializing in security, technology, janitorial and staffing. Read the full story.

2019

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Large-Market Deal of the Year: Vista Equity for Marketo, a developer of cloud-based marketing-automation software. Read the full story.
• Middle-Market Deal of the Year: L Catterton for Zarbee’s Naturals, which makes children’s cough syrups and other wellness products. Read the full story.
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: KPS Capital Partners for Electrical Components International (ECI), an international wire-harness manufacturer. Read the full story.
• International Deal of the Year: Permira for Atrium Innovations, which makes vitamins, minerals and supplements. Read the full story.
• Secondaries Deal of the Year: New Enterprise Associates for a $1.35 billion spinout of a group of assets from older funds managed by NEA into a new firm called NewView Capital. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: (None for 2019.)

2018

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Large-Market Deal of the Year: Yellow Wood Partners for PDC Brands, which makes personal care products. Read the full story.
• Middle-Market Deal of the Year: Arbor Investments for Columbus Manufacturing Inc, which makes deli meats. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: Altus Capital Partners for Rocla Concrete Tie, which makes concrete ties for the railway industry. Read the full story.
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: Oaktree Capital Management for AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc, purveyor of sandwiches, deli meats and food services. Read the full story.
• International Deal of the Year: Clarion Capital Partners for Moravia, which provides translation, localization and testing services. Read the full story.

2017

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Middle-Market Deal of the Year: KPS Capital Partners for Anchor Glass Container, which makes glass packaging products used by the liquor, beverage and food sectors. Read the full story.
• Large-Market Deal of the Year: Providence Equity Partners (via growth equity arm Providence Strategic Growth) for Ministry Brands, a software company that provides cloud-based technology for faith-based institutions, including churches and schools. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: Levine Leichtman for Senior Helpers, a franchiser of in-home companion care and personal care to patients suffering from diseases like dementia. Read the full story.
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: American Capital Ltd for Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning, formerly a unit of Lennox International. Read the full story.
• International Deal of the Year: Carlyle Group for Groupe Marle, a manufacturer of medical implants. Read the full story.

2016

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Middle-Market Deal of the Year: Arbor Investments for Gold Standard Baking, which makes low-cost croissants and Danishes. Read the full story.
• Large-Market Deal of the Year: Charlesbank Capital Partners for FullBeauty Brands, a specialist in plus-sized clothing. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: The Riverside Company for Eemax, a maker of tankless water heaters for commercial, residential and industrial properties. Read the full story.
• European Deal of the Year: GTCR for Premium Credit Ltd, which provides insurance premium financing to small businesses and individuals. Read the full story.
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: Sun Capital Partners for Point Blank Enterprises Inc, which makes body armor for law enforcement and military officers around the world. Read the full story.

2015

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/Large Market Deal of Year: KPS Partners for Waupaca Foundry, a maker of iron castings that are used to fabricate parts for cars and industrial machines. Read the full story.
• Small-Market Deal of Year: High Road Capital Partners for Handi Quilter, a producer of quilting machine. Read the full story.
• Middle-Market Deal of Year: Kinderhook Industries for Tectum Holdings, a manufacturer of bed covers and bed liners for pickup trucks. Read the full story.
• European Deal of Year: The Carlyle Group for Sermeta, a maker of of stainless steel heat exchangers used in domestic and commercial boilers. Read the full story.

2014

• DEAL OF THE YEAR/International Deal of the Year: The Riverside Company for Capol GmbH, which makes polishing and anti-sticking agents for products such as jellybeans, gummy bears and aspirin. Read the full story here. 
• Turnaround Deal of the Year: Sun Capital Partners for Captain D’s Seafood Restaurant, which operates a chain of seafood restaurants. Read the full story here. 
• Large-Market Deal of the Year: Oak Hill Capital Partners for Local TV Holdings, operator of television stations. Read the full story here. 
• Middle-Market Deal of the Year: ACON Investments for Spencer Spirit Holdings, a mall-based retailer of novelties for young people. Read the full story here.
• Small-Market Deal of the Year: SunTx Capital Partners for Huron Inc, a supplier of machined steel rods for the auto industry. Read the full story here.