We represented LFM Capital in the acquisitions of Southern Tooling, Inc. and Tuttle, Inc. to collectively form an automation solutions platform, American Automation Group. Terms of these transactions were not disclosed.
Southern Tooling, based in Lexington, KY, serves the manufacturing industry by designing, building, and integrating customized and automated equipment. Tuttle Inc., founded in 1974 and based in Friend, NE, designs manufactures, and installs custom engineered automated process systems for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, and general industrial end markets.
LFM Capital is a Nashville-based private equity firm focused on growth-oriented, lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services companies in the United States.
Deal Recognition
This deal was named a finalist in the following category for the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards in 2025:
- Industrials Deal of the Year ($25MM to $50MM)
Bass, Berry & Sims had eight transactions selected as finalists among 11 unique categories; four deals were named in the same category, for a total of 15 finalist recognitions for The M&A Advisor Awards in 2025.
This deal was also named a winner in the U.S. A. Buyout Deal of the Year – Middle Markets category at the The M&A Atlas Awards hosted by Global M&A Network in December 2025. Read more details here.