Stout Advises on the Sale of Universal Motion Components

Stout has advised Universal Motion Components (“UMC” or the “Company”) on its sale to a privately held company. Stout served as exclusive financial advisor to UMC in connection with the transaction, which closed in January 2025.

Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, UMC is the leading provider of highly-engineered motion control and powertrain products to OEM and aftermarket channels, primarily serving the mechanized irrigation end-market. Since the Company’s inception in 1978, UMC has introduced countless mechanized irrigation innovations to meet agricultural challenges around the world.

"This transaction marks a significant milestone in UMC’s history, building on the legacy my family created over the years,” said Alex Smith, President of UMC and the third generation of the Smith family to lead the firm. “I’m proud to continue driving the company’s success as we join a strong and capable partner. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and confident that this transition will help UMC further strengthen its position in the industry for years to come."

"After 40 years with UMC, I’m excited to see the next generation take the reins and usher in a new chapter for the company. We’re thrilled to have found such a great partner who shares our values and vision for UMC’s future. I want to thank Stout for their expert guidance throughout this process, helping us navigate a smooth transition,” said Brian Smith, past CEO of UMC.

"This transaction highlights the legacy and market leadership that UMC has built over decades," said Nick Jachim, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of the Investment Banking Group at Stout. "It was a privilege to work closely with UMC’s owners, the Smith family, and the executive team to help position the company for continued success as part of the buyer’s portfolio of businesses."

Kevin Mayer, Elliot Grove, Johnny Lekosiotis and Luke Wallace worked alongside Nick Jachim to complete the transaction. 

Raines Feldman served as legal counsel to UMC.