Comfort Systems USA acquires 54-year-old Indianapolis contractor

Houston-based Comfort Systems USA Inc. on Wednesday announced that it has acquired MEP Holding Co. Inc., including its Indianapolis-based subsidiary Edwards Electrical & Mechanical Inc.

In separate deals, Comfort Systems USA also said it acquired temporary staffing company Kodiak Labor Solutions LLC in Indianapolis and Thermal Service LLC and TES Controls LLC in Kentucky.

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Edwards, 2350 N. Shadeland Ave., specializes in electrical, mechanical and controls contracting services. Comfort Systems USA said Edwards is expected to contribute about $85 to $95 million to its annual revenue.

“Edwards and its affiliated companies bring us a solid full-service presence in Indianapolis, and provide Comfort Systems USA access to remarkable specialized capabilities in clean room solutions that will complement our off-site construction and pre-fabrication solutions,” said Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s chief executive.

Edwards Electrical and Mechanical was founded in Indianapolis in 1968 by Don and Ruth Edwards, according to the company’s website. The company started out as a small union commercial shop based out of their garage. The business grew and moved to an old two-story house on East Street in 1970.

In 1972, Edwards Electric changed operations to a merit-based shop, and six short years later, Edwards Electric moved to a 2,500-square-foot building at the corner of East and Merrill streets that was later expanded.

In 1998, FirstEnergy Corp., a public utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, acquired Edwards Electrical and Mechanical. The business was acquired by its management team (MEP Holding Co. Inc.) in 2006 and once again became privately and locally owned.

Edwards has more than 300 employees and operates in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

Comfort Systems USA said Thermal Service and TES Controls, which provides HVAC service and automation solutions, is expected to contribute about $20 million in annual revenues to its business.

The company said Kodiak Labor Solutions will increase labor resources and is not expected to contribute to revenue on a stand-alone basis.

“Thermal is a true service organization with great relationships and capabilities, including high quality chiller maintenance,” said Lane. “The Kodiak organization has strong skilled labor and recruitment talent, enjoys an ongoing relationship with several of our locations, and we believe Kodiak will help us improve our ability to staff projects and add to our strong project teams in many markets. We are very happy that Edwards, Thermal, and Kodiak are joining Comfort Systems USA and we believe that each of these businesses provide unique opportunities for mutual growth and improvement.”