Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Avail is retaining the operations of WSI in South America to continue to grow and develop that business locally.
“This transaction represents an important milestone for Avail as we continue to actively manage and optimize the portfolio through the partnership between Fernweh and AZZ in support of long-term value creation,” said Bill Johnson, CEO of Avail. “WSI has been a valued part of the Avail platform, and we believe Pelican is well positioned to support the business in its next phase of growth. We are proud of what the WSI team has accomplished and confident the company is positioned for continued success.”
Mike Scott, Managing Partner and Founder of Pelican Energy Partners, commented, “WSI is a high-quality business with deep technical expertise, strong customer relationships, and a long-standing track record of optimizing the performance and reliability of critical assets, within the energy infrastructure segment. We are excited to partner with the WSI management team and invest behind the company’s growth strategy as it continues to expand its capabilities and deliver value to customers.”
This transaction provides WSI with new ownership that has deep connections in the industry and a track record of supporting service businesses in initiating organic growth strategies and potential acquisitions.
“On behalf of the entire WSI team, I would like to thank Avail, Fernweh, and AZZ for their partnership and support in building WSI into the strong business it is today,” said Bill Ruta, CEO of WSI. “Their commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth has positioned the company well for the future. We are excited to begin this next chapter with Pelican and look forward to working together to continue investing in our people, expanding our capabilities, and delivering exceptional value to the industries we serve.”
Avail engaged Evercore as its sole financial adviser, and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as legal counsel for the transaction. Pelican engaged Troutman Pepper Locke LLP as legal counsel.
About WSI
With over 47 years of experience, WSI is a leading global provider of specialty welding and asset life extension services, offering advanced engineered installation, repair, and maintenance solutions for critical assets.
WSI serves a diversified base of customers across energy and industrial end markets, including power generation, nuclear energy, oil and gas, pulp and paper, waste-to-energy, chemicals, and metals and mining. WSI is recognized for its technical expertise in weld metal overlay, high velocity thermal spray, groove welding and precision automated welding applications, supporting both planned maintenance and emergency response work.
About Fernweh Group LLC
Fernweh is an investment firm launched by leaders from global institutions who have decades of experience working with companies in the industrial and industrial technology sectors on strategy, M&A, and operational transformation.
Fernweh believes that companies in the mid- and small-cap industrial and industrial technology sectors are the engine of the economy. By tailoring cutting-edge management capability, operational and strategic transformation support, and capital for each company’s unique context, history, and needs, Fernweh aims to be a builder of businesses and create value for all stakeholders.
About Pelican Energy Partners
Founded in 2011, Pelican Energy Partners is a Houston-based private equity firm specializing in strategic investments in small- to middle-market, high-growth potential energy service and equipment companies. The firm makes investments in energy equipment and service companies in the oil and gas and nuclear sectors.
ADNOC is the state-owned oil company of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and operates across the entire oil and gas market, from exploration to refining and the development of petrochemicals.
WSI brings world-leading welding expertise in automated weld overlay, high velocity thermal spray, and specialist welding solutions that extend the life of pressure equipment and reduce turnaround risks. For WSI, pre-qualification opens the door to bid competitively on ADNOC projects and deploy our proven technologies to support the reliability of the UAE’s critical energy infrastructure.
In the UAE, ADNOC’s pre-approval is a prerequisite to bid for or execute any projects. Without being on ADNOC’s approved vendor list, even technically strong and experienced contractors cannot be considered. Securing this status was a strategic priority for WSI to unlock access to ADNOC’s upstream and downstream assets.
The achievement was supported locally by Kanoo Energy, WSI’s partner un the UAE, who assisted in navigating the application process and liaising with ADNOC where required.
“This milestone allows us to bring our industry-leading automated welding solutions and high velocity thermal spray directly to ADNOC’s operations in the UAE,” said Andrew Petticrew, Middle East Head of Sales & Business Development for WSI. “Our thanks to Kanoo Energy for their invaluable support during the registration process. We look forward to contributing to ADNOC’s asset integrity and reliability goals.”
The pre-qualification process involved submitting detailed technical documentation such as health, safety and environment plans, quality manuals, welding procedures, existing certifications, and company financials.
WSI was also required to demonstrate a comprehensive track record of comparable projects across the Gulf Cooperation Council, consisting of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as globally. It required multiple reviews with ADNOC’s supplier registration team and alignment with their stringent quality health, safety, and environmental standards that implement best-in-class products and services based on the internationally recognized ISO framework.
About WSI
Founded in 1978, WSI is the world leader in developing and delivering specialized installation and maintenance solutions through automated machine welding, weld overlay, and high velocity thermal spray technologies that extend the life and maximize the value of assets throughout the energy industry.
Headquartered in Suwanee, GA, with locations in the US, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands, Poland, Bahrain, and India.
This partnership combines WSI’s cutting-edge expertise in weld overlay, orbital welding, and thermal spray applications with TRAGS’ extensive regional knowledge and invaluable experience in maintenance, repair, and industrial services for the oil & gas, petrochemicals, power generation, and pressure equipment markets. Together, we will provide a powerful combination of advanced solutions that meet the growing demand for industrial services across the region.
The key benefits of this collaboration will be:
Enhanced Regional Presence: By leveraging TRAGS’ established network and deep connections within Qatar, WSI can significantly enhance their regional footprint and ensure prompt service delivery in this critical market.
Access to Expertise: This collaboration unites WSI’s world-class welding technologies with TRAGS’ understanding of local industry needs, to provide tailored and efficient solutions to key sectors such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, and energy.
Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation: Both companies are committed to driving sustainability and leveraging innovation to enhance industrial performance. This partnership will focus on providing advanced technologies that help clients improve asset integrity, extend equipment lifespan, and increase operational efficiency.
“The WSI-TRAGS partnership marks a tremendous and pivotal opportunity for the Qatar energy sector,” says Bill Ruta, Vice President of WSI Global. “This collaboration represents a powerful and strategic union of two highly respected, long-standing, and trusted organizations. Each is deeply committed to driving innovation, fostering sustainable development, and delivering advanced, cutting-edge solutions that will directly benefit our regional clients and contribute to the evolution of how critical infrastructure is maintained.”
Photo shows: Bill Ruta, Vice President – WSI Global (left) and Ivan Morgan, General Manager – TRAGS
About WSI
Founded in 1978, WSI is the world leader in developing and delivering specialized installation and maintenance solutions through automated machine welding, weld overlay, and high velocity thermal spray technologies that extend the life and maximize the value of assets throughout the energy industry.
Headquartered in Suwanee, GA, with locations in the US, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands, Poland, Bahrain, and India.
Trading and Agency Services Limited Company W.L.L. (TRAGS) is one of the best Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Contracting companies in the state of Qatar with a diversified range of services to clients in Onshore and Offshore, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Power, Pressure Equipment Manufacture, Repair, Maintenance, and other industrial services including Heavy Engineering works.
Photo shows (from left to right): Nitin Gaikwad, Regional Manager, Robotic Solutions – Kanoo Environmental & Sustainability Solutions; Bill Ruta, Vice President – WSI Global; Andrew Petticrew, Head of Sales & Business Development – WSI Middle East; Manoj Kumar Tripathy, CEO – Kanoo Industrial & Energy; and Rikin Kumar Mistry, Operations & Business Development Manager – Technical Contracting Company, a Kanoo Company
Photo shows: Bill Ruta, Chief Executive Officer, WSI Global (left) and Manoj Kumar Tripathy, CEO – Kanoo Industrial & Energy (right)
The collaboration with Kanoo Energy offers numerous benefits
Enhanced Regional Presence:Kanoo Energy’s established network and reputation in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE will enable WSI to serve our clients and penetrate new markets within the region with quality service offerings.
Increased Competitive Edge:Kanoo Energy’s high in-country value score positions WSI favorably to secure projects from industry leaders, aligning with local economic development goals and regulatory requirements.
Improved Service Delivery:Combining WSI’s technological prowess with Kanoo Energy’s local expertise ensures that clients receive top-tier, tailored solutions that extend the operational lifespan of their critical assets.
Commitment to Excellence:This partnership underscores WSI’s dedication to quality assurance, operational excellence, and the highest safety standards, ensuring that clients benefit from reliable, efficient, and cost-effective services.
Bill Ruta, Chief Executive Officer, WSI Global, adds that he is “extremely excited about the mutual opportunity the WSI and Kanoo Energy partnership will bring to the region. This relationship brings together two long standing, trusted organizations who are committed to driving growth, innovation, and sustainable development in the Middle East energy sector.”
About WSI
Founded in 1978, WSI is the world leader in developing and delivering specialized installation and maintenance solutions through automated machine welding, weld overlay, and high velocity thermal spray technologies that extend the life and maximize the value of assets throughout the energy industry.
Headquartered in Suwanee, GA, WSI has facilities in the US, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands, Poland, Bahrain, India, and Singapore.
Kanoo Energy, is a part of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, a 135 year old, family owned multinational business conglomerate in the GCC. A leading provider of engineering services, products, and solutions in the Middle East, Kanoo Energy has a strong focus on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that meet the needs of the region’s energy sector.
