PE-Nexus, a private market network for efficient deal flow exchange between middle-market M&A professionals, announced that it facilitated a majority recapitalization of three companies — Sauls Seismic, Nomis Seismographs and South Technical Services — by Birmingham, AL-based Lazarus Capital Partners (LCP).

Sell-side representation to the companies was provided by Dallas, TX-based The Transition Companies (TTC). The PE-Nexus platform connected LCP and TTC via its proprietary suitor-matching technology, which intelligently identifies and instantly connects actionable M&A opportunities with qualified strategic and financial suitors. Three months later, on December 30, 2011, the transaction was successfully closed.

“It’s great to learn about another success story facilitated by PE-Nexus,” said Tony Hill, PE-Nexus CEO and co-founder. “What makes this deal unique is the speed of the transaction — from posted to closed in only three months, when a standard deal process can easily last four months or more. That equates to a 25% reduction in timeframe. Shortening the deal process by making it more efficient is what PE-Nexus is all about, so we’re ecstatic about the outcome of this deal.”

“PE-Nexus is a value-added component of our comprehensive marketing strategy and allows us to open the market more effectively, quickly and confidentially for our clients,” said Brandon Fitzgerald, director of Transactions Operations at The Transition Companies. “We consistently receive a significant volume of inquiries from serious, qualified buyers by utilizing the PE-Nexus platform and this transaction is a shining example.”

“PE-Nexus was instrumental in bringing this opportunity to our attention. They have designed a platform that has been instrumental to our group for both sourcing deals and meeting new intermediaries, which we might not otherwise have come in contact with,” said W. Spencer South, partner at Lazarus Capital Partners. “The ability to specify specific parameters of an investment target helps cut through the clutter and shorten the lead time as well,” continued Mr. South.

Lazarus Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling equity interests in lower-middle-market operating businesses in the manufacturing, value-add distribution, and service businesses located primarily in the Southeastern U.S.

The Transition Companies is an M&A and business optimization firm specializing in maximizing the value realized by owners of privately held companies when transitioning their business.