LFM Capital Adds to Industrial Automation Platform with PowerBuilt
NASHVILLE, TN – March 17, 2026 – LFM Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses, announced today the acquisition of PowerBuilt Material Handling Solutions, LLC (“PowerBuilt”). PowerBuilt joins Southern Tooling, Inc. and Tuttle AAG, LLC as part of LFM’s automation solutions platform, American Automation Group (“AAG”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2000 by Rick Hauck, PowerBuilt designs, manufactures, and installs automated and semi-automated custom equipment, specializing in material-handling solutions for automotive and general industrial customers. The company’s solutions include lift assists, conveyors, robotics, and other integrated automation systems focused on improving workplace productivity, safety, and efficiency. PowerBuilt complements AAG’s existing capabilities in custom automation, robotic controls, and process systems for diverse end markets, including automotive, pharmaceutical, food, pet food, and general industrial sectors. The company is based in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
LFM Managing Director Dan Shockley commented, “LFM is pleased about the momentum of our automation solutions platform since its establishment in 2024 with the acquisitions of Southern Tooling and Tuttle. We expect the addition of PowerBuilt to drive compelling opportunities for continued diversification of customers, cross-selling a wider array of solutions, and leveraging deeper engineering and sales teams. We look forward to working with the PowerBuilt management team in this exciting stage of integration and expansion.”
PowerBuilt Founder and CEO Rick Hauck noted, “This transition comes after a thoughtful and deliberate process to ensure the future success of PowerBuilt. I am excited and proud to pass the stewardship of PowerBuilt to the team at LFM. Their vision, integrity, and dedication to both clients and employees align closely with the principles upon which PowerBuilt was established."
PowerBuilt President Nate Hauck added, “Over the past 25 years, PowerBuilt has evolved from a national distributor of material-handling solutions into a vertically integrated organization. More recently, we have added mechanical and electrical engineering, project management, fabrication, assembly, field services, and a nationally-based sales team. We are thrilled to bring these broad capabilities to LFM’s automation solutions platform and are confident this collaboration will further enhance our ability to support customers as they address growing production demands.”
LFM Managing Director Chris Lin and Associate Ben McNabb worked with Shockley on the transaction. Jessica Ginsberg, LFM Managing Director, sourced the opportunity.
About LFM Capital
LFM Capital is a private equity firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. The LFM team is led by experienced and successful Fortune 50 global executive managers and private equity professionals who bring decades of management leadership, operating best practices, exceptional professional recruiting networks, and a successful track record in lower middle market investing. LFM targets lead or control investments in U.S.-based lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services companies with at least $3 million of EBITDA and enterprise values ranging from $15 million to $125 million. The firm’s mission is to partner with portfolio company management to develop and build world-class operations through a combination of manufacturing and operations excellence and targeted growth and expansion strategies. For additional information, please visit www.lfmcapital.com.