Ownership Succession: A Better Path Forward
Founded in 1949 as a Southern California-based residential heating supplier, Southland Industries has a vibrant history of industry-leading innovation. Our vision is to continue to grow our national presence through organic growth and acquisitions. Together, we can better serve our customers and create opportunities for all of our employees.
In 30-plus years in business, I've never experienced a 'one company' culture like Southland's. They took an all-hands-on-deck approach as if I was a valued client.
One company One vision
By blending expertise and best practices, we strive for a unified, one company approach.
Seamless integrationFrom day one, we invest in your future — creating opportunities for leadership and ownership.
By being 100% employee-owned, we have maintained the positive attributes of a smaller company while being a larger national company.
From day one, we invest in your future — creating opportunities for leadership and ownership.
By being 100% employee-owned, we have maintained the positive attributes of a smaller company while being a larger national company.
A different approach
We are a unique alternative
We’re not private equity or a public company. We offer a unique, employee-owned alternative for ownership transition — built for lasting long-term success.
We are the right caretaker for your company
When you’ve built a successful company, you want a buyer who will protect its future. From day one, we take responsibility to ensure your business and employees continue to thrive.
We provide real ownership opportunities
As a 100% employee-owned ‘C’ corporation, we provide opportunities for you and your employees to become owners of Southland.
We have a track record of success
We’ve successfully acquired and grown multiple companies. Our thoughtful approach to integration ensures we capture the best ideas, processes, and strategies from every team.
A History of Innovation
Our legacy of growth
Since our founding, we’ve expanded our geography, services, and capabilities, becoming one of the nation’s largest privately-held building systems firms. We’ve grown from a local heating and cooling company to an MEP leader.
1949
Six employees purchase the Payne Furnace Long Beach, California branch for $24,000, naming the new company Southland Heating.
1949
The new Southland Heating stakeholders purchase 15 trucks and Payne’s local sheet metal inventory.
1952
Brandt, a future Southland Industries company, is founded. As air conditioning gains popularity in commercial construction, we rebrand to Southland Heating and Cooling to reflect the new market potential.
1953
We begin to focus on commercial work and TCM Corp., a future Southland Industries company, is founded.
1966
We transition from doing residential to commercial work, focusing on hiring the best talent in the commercial field as a growth strategy.
1968
We sell our first, large design-build project, foreshadowing our future as a design-build leader.
1975
We start an in-house engineering department. This expands our core capabilities and sets the standard for leveraging our in-house capabilities for better collaboration.
1979
As revenue reaches $11 million, Southland makes our debut in Contracting Magazine’s annual list of top contractors.
1986
To meet increased industry demand, the pipefitting trade is added as part of our core offerings.
1988
CEO Mike Moore changes the company name to Southland Industries to better reflect our large-scale business that offers more than just heating and cooling.
1993
Southland marks 50 years of business. We add additional offices across the U.S. while the Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) is introduced to drive efficiency.
1998
Burns Mechanical, a future Southland Industries company, is founded. We introduce additional offerings, including energy solutions, plumbing, and service.
2002
We begin to focus more on design-build and design-assist work. To add fire protection to our capabilities, we purchase Maximum Fire Protection.
2004
Southland reaches over $250 in revenue as ownership and employee opportunities continue to grow.
2011
Southland’s first intern, Ted Lynch, becomes CEO and helps grow revenue to over $400 million.
2014
TCM Corp. in Portland, Oregon is acquired. To reflect our growth and evolving business strategy, we launch a new logo and brand.
2020
After reaching $1 billion in revenue and moving from an ‘S’ to ‘C’ corporation, Burns Mechanical in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is acquired.
2022
Southland consolidates all of our brands and The Brandt Companies in Texas is acquired.
Explore more history
For more than 75 years, Southland has leveraged our people's collective expertise and used best practices from strategic acquisitions to deliver exceptional building solutions and drive industry influence.
Achieving greater success together
Southland is not a private equity firm buying contractors to maximize profits. It is a mechanical contracting and engineering firm that searches for alignment of systems and people that can be leveraged to best take care of our employees and our national clients.
A Shared Vision
We are looking for like-minded companies
Connect with us
Ted Lynch, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Let's talk
Whether you are interested in selling your company or want to learn more about how our businesses can work together, contact our Corporate Development Group.