Powering Synergies: Leading PMI in HVAC & Energy Efficiency

Client Overview

Our client is a PE-backed HVAC company committed to making the communities where we live, work, and play healthier. As an energy efficiency leader, they leverage their Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) expertise to provide innovative solutions across the U.S. With a partner network of more than 40 companies and nearly 3,500 technicians, Crete United delivers customized MEP solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Their unified network integrates mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems with building automation to transform the industry and advance environmental goals while optimizing the bottom line.

The Challenge / Mandate

As part of its ambitious growth strategy, our client recently completed a significant acquisition and needed an experienced Post-Merger Integration (PMI) consultant to guide the integration process. The consultant’s mandate was to lead cross-functional efforts, ensuring seamless operational alignment between the acquired company and the parent organization. This included tracking and driving progress on predefined synergy workstreams, providing strategic thought partnership to the CEO and PE partner, and navigating organizational complexities like talent assessment and cultural alignment. The consultant was also tasked with conducting quantitative analyses to support decision-making on integration priorities and maintaining rigorous reporting to keep leadership updated on progress against timelines and milestones.

Search Strategy

To identify the right fit for this critical role, we targeted candidates with a top-tier consulting toolkit and extensive PMI expertise. We prioritized professionals with a proven track record in mechanical or industrial engineering environments, as well as strong experience in post-merger integration, organizational design, and PMO leadership. Preference was given to individuals with Big 4 or MBB backgrounds and familiarity with complex industrial operations and cultural integration post-acquisition. Keywords guiding our search included “Post-Merger Integration,” “PMI,” “Merger Integration,” and “Organizational Design” within the industrial and mechanical engineering sectors.

The Placement

The selected candidate is a seasoned consultant and operations leader with over 20 years of experience delivering rapid value creation in industrial and manufacturing businesses. With a background at Bain & Company and extensive hands-on integration work, he brought expertise in M&A, operational turnaround, and cultural alignment across complex organizations. His experience includes leading cross-functional sprint teams, designing and implementing new operating models, and driving cost competitiveness assessments for Fortune 500 clients. Notably, his previous PMI engagements involved restructuring leadership teams, optimizing manufacturing footprints, and delivering significant synergies within tight timelines.

The Outcome

The consultant successfully led eleven cross-functional integration teams, aligning both companies under a unified strategy. He restructured the sales organization to reset revenue enhancement metrics, reorganized executive leadership to streamline decision-making, and optimized the manufacturing footprint for improved efficiency. Additionally, he reconfigured the IT service model and reduced SG&A costs through procurement savings and functional support redesign. Delivering ahead of schedule and achieving the upper range of pre-deal value estimates, the consultant was ultimately converted to a permanent role as Director of M&A Integration at the client company, ensuring sustained integration success and long-term value creation.