ArchKey, a national electrical and technology systems provider headquartered in St. Louis, announced on October 1 that it has acquired US Communications & Electric, a Cleveland-based technology integration firm. US Communications & Electric works in audio-visual systems, distributed antenna systems (DAS), structured cabling, network infrastructure, security, IoT, and connected building technologies. ArchKey says the deal expands its technology solutions offering and adds scale to its national platform.
The asset.
Founded in 1996, US Communications & Electric employs more than 130 professionals and has completed more than 10,000 projects. It serves customers nationwide in data centers, healthcare, education, government, financial services, and industrial markets.
Patricia Connole is the company’s Founder and CEO, and James Connole is its President and COO. Patricia Connole said that, in looking at the future of the business, it was important to find a partner that shared the company’s values and commitment to its customers. James Connole said joining ArchKey gives the company a platform to expand its offering and keep growing its team, and that it will help expand ArchKey’s technology presence in the Eastern Region.
The platform.
ArchKey describes itself as a national provider of electrical, technology, and specialized infrastructure services that designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains critical systems across North America, with customers in industrial, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, utility, and data center markets, among others. CEO Steve Stone called US Communications & Electric a strategic fit and an important addition to ArchKey’s technology solutions business, citing its technical expertise, customer service, and record on complex projects.
ArchKey is owned by an affiliate of 26North Partners, the alternatives firm founded by Josh Harris. 26North announced the agreement in September 2024 as the first transaction for its private equity platform, and prior owner One Rock Capital Partners announced the sale’s completion in November 2024.
A technology integrator for the Eastern Region.
ArchKey’s website lists A/V, security, network infrastructure, and wireless among the technology systems it supports, and groups its Eastern Region operations under ArchKey Bruce & Merrilees, ArchKey Diefenderfer, and ArchKey Mona, with offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Toledo, Ohio. US Communications & Electric adds a Cleveland-based team whose scopes and end markets, including data centers, healthcare, and industrial, line up with work ArchKey already performs.
What it means.
For owners of low-voltage, structured cabling, audio-visual, DAS, and security integration companies serving commercial and institutional customers in Ohio and the eastern U.S., ArchKey is a private equity–backed national electrical contractor that has now bought a technology-focused integrator to build out a region. Owners preparing for conversations with buyers like this should be able to show revenue by system type and end market, the share of work tied to data centers and other large projects, the split between project and service work, their manufacturer certifications, and the depth of their project management and engineering bench.
Own a low-voltage or technology integration company?
Schryver & Co. advises trades owners with roughly $5 million to $100 million of revenue, including electrical contractors and low-voltage, security, and AV integrators. We help owners see how national electrical platforms and other buyers would look at their business, and what to have ready before those talks begin. Email Will at will@schryverco.com.
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