Mainebiz

V O L . X X V N O. X V J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 6 B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state Serving Maine and New England Since 1974. 207-725- 4304 P O U L I N C O N S T R U C T I O N M E . C O M C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E S R E S TA U R A N T C O M M E R C I A L / P U B L I C R E TA I L C H I C K - F I L - A W O B U R N , M A SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS START FROM THE GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING AND INSPECTIONS • Soils, asphalt, concrete, masonry, and steel: Reduce potential delays, defects, unexpected costs, and repeated maintenance. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING • Groundwater, landfills and tank removal monitoring GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND EXPLORATIONS • You see what's on top, we'll show you what's below. ME 207-286-8008 • NH 603-427-0244 • MA 508-623-0101 WWW.RWGILLESPIE.COM Sterling Rope acquired by North Carolina company B y M a i n e b i z S t a f f B I D D E F O R D — Sterling Rope Co., a manufacturer of life-safety rope, cord and hardware, has agreed to be acquired by a North Carolina company that claims to be the largest distributor of arborist tools and equip- ment in North America. Sherrill Inc., the Greensboro, N.C.-based buyer, said there are no plans to change day-to-day opera- tions at Sterling and that it will remain in Biddeford. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition will further integrate the Sherrill manufacturing and distribution model within the work and recreational climbing industries, the company said. Senior management will remain in place at least for a year, Sterling co-founder and President Carolyn Brodsky told Mainebiz. She said she initiated discussions of a merger with Sherrill in 2018. "Sterling is in a really good place, we're very profit- able, but I'm 60 and I didn't want to get into a position where I had to sell the company," she said. The choice of Sherrill was a natural, she said. The two companies' markets complement each other, and she feels the additional resources of Sherrill will fuel Sterling's future growth. "This allows us to go to the next level," she said, adding that the Biddeford plant will serve as a plat- form for Sherrill's product development. She was also reassured by Sherrill's pledge to keep Sterling's 50 employees in Biddeford, and said that Sherrill has signed a seven-year lease on the current site. "I was looking for someone who would take care of the business and its employees the way I have," she said. "This is bittersweet, but it's really good for us." Brodsky and her then-husband, Willie Crear, founded Sterling in 1992. The company was originally based in Massachusetts, but soon moved to Scarborough and then its current location, at 26 Morin St. in Biddeford. In 2012, Brodsky was selected as one of five Mainebiz "Women to Watch." Sherrill, founded in 1960, was acquired by a private equity firm, Denver-based Platte River Equity, in January. B R I E F F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Carolyn Brodsky, co-founder and president of Sterling Rope, sold the company to Greensboro, N.C.- based Sherrill Inc. She and senior managers will remain in place for at least a year. This is bittersweet, but it's really good for us. — Carolyn Brodsky Co-founder and President of Sterling Rope

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