NEW YORK & HOUSTON — Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that funds managed by Blackstone Energy Transition Partners (“Blackstone”) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dresser Utility Solutions (“Dresser”), a premier provider of mission-critical natural gas and water measurement, control and infrastructure equipment solutions, from First Reserve. This represents the first investment of the most recent vintage of Blackstone’s private equity energy transition vehicle.
Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Dresser provides metering technology, digital instrumentation and software, pressure and flow control solutions, and infrastructure repair products for gas and water utilities and industrial customers. With approximately 850 employees across its global manufacturing footprint, the company helps customers modernize aging utility infrastructure and improve asset reliability.
David Foley, Global Head of Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, and JP Munfa, Senior Managing Director, said: “As demands on the energy grid continue to grow, Dresser plays a critical role as a trusted partner to utilities managing essential infrastructure. The company’s products are foundational to the safe and reliable operation of gas and water networks, and its reputation for quality has helped build longstanding customer relationships. We look forward to leveraging Blackstone’s scale and resources to help Dresser continue to serve its customers, innovate and grow.”
David Evans, CEO of Dresser Utility Solutions, said: “This transaction marks an exciting milestone for Dresser and reflects the exceptional work of our entire team. Blackstone’s deep resources and experience in the utility sector make them an ideal partner as we continue to invest in innovation, expand our product portfolio, and deliver value for our customers. We are energized by what lies ahead and are grateful to First Reserve for their invaluable partnership in helping build Dresser into the company it is today.”
Jeff Quake, Managing Partner at First Reserve, said “We’re grateful to have partnered with the Dresser team to build a leading infrastructure technology platform helping utilities optimize assets and manage the digital transformation process. Dresser is well-positioned to continue the execution of its growth strategy and we wish David Evans and the entire team well as they look to build on the company’s momentum in this exciting new chapter.”
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. D.A. Davidson & Co. and Jefferies acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to Blackstone. Harris Williams served as financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as a legal advisor to Dresser.
About Dresser Utility Solutions
With more than a century of innovation, Dresser Utility Solutions is a trusted leader in providing safe, reliable infrastructure technologies that support utilities around the world. The company continues to strengthen and modernize utility infrastructure, ensuring customers receive high-performing technologies that operate safely, reduce emissions and product loss, and minimize operational costs. Dresser’s portfolio includes gas metering technology, digital instrumentation and software, pressure and flow control solutions, and gas and water infrastructure repair products. Together, these solutions support the complete utility infrastructure lifecycle – from measurement and control to repair and maintenance. For more information, visit www.dresserutility.com.
Blackstone Energy Transition Partners
Blackstone Energy Transition Partners is Blackstone’s strategy for control-oriented equity investments in energy-related businesses, with a successful long-term record, having invested over $28 billion of equity globally across a broad range of sectors across the energy transition landscape. Our investment philosophy is based on backing exceptional management teams with flexible capital to provide solutions that help energy companies grow and improve performance, thereby delivering more reliable, affordable and cleaner energy to meet the needs of the global community. In the process, we build stronger, larger scale enterprises, create jobs and generate lasting value for our investors, employees and all stakeholders. Further information is available at https://www.blackstone.com/our-businesses/blackstone-energy-transition-partners/.
About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstone’s over $1.3 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
About First Reserve
First Reserve is a leading private equity firm investing across Infrastructure Solutions, Value-Added Infrastructure and Resources strategies with exposure in energy, utility, and industrial markets. Founded in 1983, First Reserve has more than 40 years of industry insight and has cultivated a differentiated network of relationships and portfolio exposure. Since inception, First Reserve has raised over $35 billion of aggregate capital and has developed operational expertise built from over 750 transactions, including platform investments and add-on acquisitions. Please visit www.firstreserve.com for further information.