RAFTRx Expands to the Midwest with Acquisition of Apex General Contracting

RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors (RAFTRx), a fast-scaling platform focused on residential and commercial roofing—especially in insurance-driven restoration work—is gaining strategic ground in the Midwest through its acquisition of Apex General Contracting. The deal further cements RAFTRx’s multi-brand, multi-state playbook and brings deep storm-restoration expertise into its portfolio.

Deal Summary

• Acquirer: RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors (RAFTRx), a roofing and exterior solutions company with a rapidly expanding national presence.
• Target: Apex General Contracting, founded in 2006 and based in South Beloit, Illinois.
• Business Focus: Apex specializes in commercial roofing, storm restoration, and insurance-claim management.
• Geography: The acquisition gives RAFTRx its first presence in Illinois and Wisconsin.
• Leadership and Culture: Apex founder and president Jim Stringham remains in place, and RAFTRx emphasizes that its scalable model and shared values made the partnership a strong match.
• Platform Scale: With this addition, RAFTRx’s footprint grows to eight distinct brands across 15 states, operating more than 35 local offices.
• Sponsor: RAFTRx is backed by Saw Mill Capital, which supports industrial-services roll-ups and founder-led growth businesses.

Industry Context

The roofing and exterior services sector is seeing increasingly active consolidation, particularly among companies focused on insurance-claim and storm restoration work. The fragmentation across regional contractors makes it ripe for platform roll-ups. Many local firms excel in technical execution and customer trust but lack scale, capital, or infrastructure to expand efficiently.

At the same time, property damage from weather events continues to drive demand in insurance restoration. Platforms like RAFTRx that combine commercial roofing, residential roofing, and claim management are well positioned to capture both replacement and service cycles. By acquiring specialists, consolidators improve geographic reach, operational consistency, and customer acquisition strategies.

Lower-Middle-Market Roll-Up Perspective

From a private equity roll-up standpoint, this transaction illustrates the tactical playbook that lower-middle-market platforms are executing in the roofing space:

1. Geographic Expansion via Acquisition: Rather than building in new states from scratch, RAFTRx adds an established regional operator with a track record and leadership continuity.
2. Preserving Local Leadership: Keeping Jim Stringham in his role maintains the institutional knowledge and customer relationships that made Apex successful.
3. Multi-Brand Platform Development: As part of an eight-brand portfolio, Apex will benefit from RAFTRx’s shared services (operations, marketing, claims management).
4. Capitalizing on Insurance Claims: The deal underscores how platforms are layering on “claims expertise” to differentiate—insurance restoration is both lucrative and recurring.
5. Operational Leverage: By centralizing back office, procurement, and training, RAFTRx can drive efficiencies across its network, improving margins and service quality.

Saw Mill Capital’s involvement aligns with its strategy of investing in growth-oriented, founder-led industrial services. Their support enables RAFTRx to acquire with discipline, preserving local brand identity while scaling operational excellence.

Why This Sector Is Attractive for Roll-Ups

• Fragmented Landscape: Many local roofers remain independent, making them natural candidates for roll-ups.
• Recurring Demand via Insurance: Storm damage and claim-driven work create reliable restoration opportunities.
• Labor & Scale: Consolidated platforms can pool talent, standardize training, and deploy skilled installers more efficiently.
• Cross-Business Synergies: Roofing platforms can spread costs across multiple brands and regions, improving procurement and margin leverage.
• Market Tailwinds: Insured losses from weather events remain high, and property owners increasingly look for trusted partners to navigate complex claims.

Conclusion

RAFTRx’s acquisition of Apex General Contracting is a clear signal of how private equity-backed platforms are reinforcing their national reach by folding in high-caliber regional players. For Apex, the deal offers access to capital, shared infrastructure, and a broader customer base while preserving its local identity. For RAFTRx and Saw Mill Capital, it strengthens their Midwest presence and elevates their capacity in commercial and insurance-driven roofing work.

Founders of regional roofing firms should view this transaction as a model for partnership: a way to scale without compromising legacy. Investors, meanwhile, should note that the claims-focused exterior-services segment remains one of the most compelling consolidation arenas in the trades.