H.I.G. Capital Acquires UK Safety Specialist Arco

Founded in 1884, Arco has built its reputation on supplying safety wear and protective gear to infrastructure, defense, and healthcare sectors. The acquisition aims to accelerate this legacy by leveraging H.I.G.’s international network to fund digital upgrades and strategic bolt-on acquisitions. Arco CEO Guy Bruce stated that the partnership aligns with the firm's ambition to scale operations while maintaining the product reliability that has defined the company for over a century.

Adam Taylor, Managing Director at H.I.G.’s London office, described the deal as a natural fit for their portfolio, citing Arco’s deep-rooted relationships with blue-chip clients as a primary driver for the investment. H.I.G. plans to deploy its operational resources to support the next growth phase, focusing on both domestic market consolidation and potential expansion beyond the UK. The move signals a broader trend of private equity firms targeting established, service-heavy industrial businesses to capture long-term value in the safety and compliance sector.