New platform to live under Falfurrias Management Partners' broader investment thesis on industrial automation.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Falfurrias Management Partners ("Falfurrias") today announced its growth investments in Industrial Design Solutions ("IDS"), a control systems integrator, and RED Group ("RED"), an operational technology and industrial control systems engineering services provider. Together, the two companies will combine to form the foundation of Falfurrias' new platform focused on industrial automation and control systems integration. Carl Fangue, currently Chief Executive Officer of RED Group, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the new platform.
The combined companies will continue to serve customers across data centers, utility and power generation, water and wastewater, energy, maritime, chemicals and manufacturing industries. Designed to meet accelerating demand driven by data center construction, manufacturing reshoring, industrial AI adoption, and a growing shortage of skilled technical labor, the combined companies will continue to support customers from design and programming through fabrication and field services. IDS' deep expertise in distributed control system (DCS) and programmable logic controller (PLC) programming and control system upgrades, coupled with RED's breadth across operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) infrastructure, is positioned to give customers a strong service channel for modernizing aging infrastructure and bringing new capacity online.
"Industrial automation demand is accelerating as data center buildouts and an aging workforce push owners toward integrators who can execute quickly and at a high standard," said Jubal Early, Vice President at Falfurrias. "IDS and RED bring complementary capabilities, end markets, and geographies, and Carl is the right leader to unite the combined companies. Together, they represent where the future of industrial automation is headed."
"IDS and RED bring decades of experience that utilities, data center operators, and industrial manufacturers count on for expansion," said Chip Johnson, Partner at Falfurrias. "We look forward to supporting Carl and the team through their next phases of growth."
The companies represent the first investment within Falfurrias Capital Partners' industrial automation thesis since its prior investment in E Technologies Group in 2018. Early and Johnson will serve on the board of the platform alongside Falfurrias Partner Ken Walker, Former Owner and CEO of Verve Industrial, John Livingston, former President of the Control System Integrators Association ("CSIA"), Jose Rivera, and RED Group Founder Kyle Remont.
"Our customers are managing increasingly complex modernization efforts and bringing new capacity online faster than ever, and they need one partner they can trust to deliver across every layer of their control systems and OT environments," said Fangue. "Together, IDS and RED cover that full range, with the engineering and geographic reach we need to bring that model to a greater market. I'm honored to lead this team, and with Falfurrias' support, build the scaled organization our customers need."
"RED Group is built by engineers who understand the complexities and realities asset owners face," said Kyle Remont. "Our commitment to reliability has guided every project we've delivered. With Falfurrias and IDS, we will take that same standard our customers depend on to a much larger scale."
"For more than two decades, IDS has earned the trust of utilities and industrial operators by delivering expert and competitive control systems work," said Andy Rohde, Executive Vice President of IDS. "Partnering with Falfurrias and RED allows us to pursue larger programs, bring a broader set of capabilities to our customers and train the next generation of engineers."
About Falfurrias
Falfurrias Capital Partners is an operationally focused, middle market private equity fund investing in high-growth companies across sectors including business, government, and financial services; marketing and information services; food manufacturing, and industrial technology. The team is comprised of experienced investors and operators, supported by in-house resources spanning strategy and market insights, finance and integration, human capital, and technology. The fund is managed by Falfurrias Management Partners, a Charlotte-based private equity firm founded in 2006 by Hugh McColl Jr., former chairman and CEO of Bank of America; Marc Oken, former CFO of Bank of America; and Managing Partner Ed McMahan. The firm has raised approximately $4.0 billion across eight funds and invests in growing, middle-market businesses in sectors where the firm's operational resources, relationships, and sector expertise can complement portfolio company executive teams in support of long-term growth objectives. For more information, visit www.falfurrias.com.
About RED Group
RED Group provides end-to-end Operational Technology & Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS) solutioning and delivery expertise, from conceptual consulting, through detailed engineering, systems integration, and installation. The firm partners with asset owners as they modernize and leverage more technology, data, and infrastructure in the IT & OT environments, ensuring reliability is infused into all phases of the project/asset lifecycle.
About Industrial Design Solutions
Industrial Design Solutions, Inc. (IDS), headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a leading provider of specialized engineering and systems integration services serving the power generation and industrial markets. With a strong focus on automation, control systems, and engineering innovation, IDS delivers comprehensive solutions spanning system design, modernization, implementation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support. The company has established a reputation as a trusted partner to utilities and industrial operators nationwide, providing tailored solutions that enhance operational reliability, efficiency, and long-term performance. Through its experienced engineering team, deep industry expertise, and commitment to customer service, IDS continues to support the evolving needs of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities across the United States.
SOURCE Falfurrias Management Partners
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