DRC HEAT TRANSFER acquired by SMITHS GROUP
Context
Smiths Group plc has agreed to acquire 100% of DRC Heat Transfer to expend Smiths' cooling and thermal management capabilities within the fast-growing data center market. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of fiscal year 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Upon completion, DRC will be integrated into the industrial heat business of Smiths’ Flex-Tek division. While Flex-Tek already maintains a strong position in industrial heating, DRC’s expertise in cooling applications for back-up power generators provides a highly additive technological bridge. This move allows Smiths to capitalize on the structural growth of data centers, driven by AI and cloud computing demands, which require increasingly sophisticated power security solutions. The acquisition also strengthens Flex-Tek’s geographic and operational footprint in the United States, utilizing DRC’s Chicago-based manufacturing hub and specialized workforce to serve a wider global customer group.
DRC HEAT TRANSFER, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2025, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.1x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
DRC Heat Transfer (DRC) is a premier designer and manufacturer of custom heat transfer and cooling solutions, specializing in mission-critical applications for data center power generation. With over 50 years of engineering heritage, the organization provides thermal management systems that safeguard power security and ensure uninterrupted operations for essential industries, including energy, transit, and industrial markets. The entity’s product portfolio is specifically engineered to meet the reliability and scalability demands of the rapidly growing data center sector, particularly for back-up power cooling. Operating with a workforce of over 250 employees, the firm maintains a business model built on engineering-led customer intimacy and high-performance technology, positioning it as a key supplier in the power generation value chain.
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Historical Financials (GBP)
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 100M - 350M GBP
Revenue range: 50M - 100M GBP
EBITDA range: 5M - 25M GBP
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Press release: view release
Acquirer: smiths group