History

The Sterling Group was founded in 1982 by Frank Hevrdejs and the late Gordon Cain to acquire and improve businesses through strategic and operational initiatives. Since our founding, Sterling has closed 34 platform acquisitions as well as numerous add-on acquisitions, for a total of over $8 billion in transaction value.

1982

Gordon Cain & Frank Hevrdejs co-found The Sterling Group.

1983

First acquisition made: Balco International.

1984

William "Billy" Oehmig joins the firm.

Sterling completes acquisition of three companies: Arcadian Chemical, Pawnee Industries and Vista Chemical.

1987

Cain Chemical acquired for over $1 billion; largest acquisition to date. Investment gains notoriety for the wealth created for management and employees.

1989

Hunter Nelson joins the firm after the sale of Fiber Industries, where he had been VP Administration and General Counsel.

1992

Co-founder Gordon Cain retires from Sterling.

John Hawkins joins the firm.

1993-2000

Twelve companies acquired including six add-on acquisitions, and sales of three companies are completed.

2001

Sterling's first fund, "Fund I" is closed with total commitments of $120 million.

Kevin Garland joins firm.

2001-2004

Sterling acquires four companies (Exopack, HydroChem, North American Energy Partners, and Propex), fully investing Fund I.

2005

Gary Rosenthal joins Sterling.

Sterling's second fund, "Fund II" is closed with total commitments of $470 million.

Sterling makes first acquisition in "Fund II" - Panolam industries.

2006

Sterling makes four additional acquisitions in "Fund II" - CST Industries, Roofing Supply Group, BTEC Turbines and Hudson Products.