Nashville – September 11, 2026 -- The State Group Industrial (USA) Limited, a portfolio company of funds managed by Apollo, has acquired Mel-Kay Electric Co. (MelKay), an Evansville, Indiana-based MEP contractor with over 400 union tradesmen.
Acquisition expands State Group's footprint across three states
MelKay operates across southern Indiana, western Kentucky and southern Illinois, providing electrical, mechanical and plumbing construction and maintenance, along with HVAC, fire, security, communication and safety systems. The company holds preferred vendor status with blue-chip clients including Berry Global, Deaconess Health, Sabic and Toyota.
Family-owned firm founded in 1951 joins Nashville-based industrial platform
MelKay was founded in 1951 by the grandfather of current CEO Scott Hartig, in the back office of his in-laws' hotel and restaurant. "Selling a company that has been part of my family for three generations is not easy," Hartig said, citing confidence in the leadership transition and growth opportunities under The State Group.
Chad Thompson, President of MelKay, said the deal reflects the team's focus on delivering value-added MEP solutions and serving local communities as the company enters its next growth phase.
The State Group cites 75-year service record in deal rationale
Michael Lampert, Executive Chairman of The State Group, said MelKay's brand is built on more than 75 years of service and aligns with the firm's priorities on quality, teamwork and customer satisfaction. The State Group, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee and established in 1961, delivers electrical and mechanical trade services to Fortune 100 companies across power generation, automotive, datacenter, ecommerce, oil and gas, communications, metals and transportation sectors, performing more than eight million man-hours annually.
Berenson & Company, LLC served as financial advisor to The State Group on the transaction.