CHICAGO – Edgewater Growth Capital Partners has announced the sale of portfolio company Compass Environmental to WRS Infrastructure & Environment.

WRS is an environmental remediation company backed by Equity Group Investments, which is a Chicago-based investment firm founded and led by Sam Zell. Edgewater partnered with Compass’ CEO through an investment in 2003.

Since that time, Compass has become one of the fastest-growing and largest privately held environmental remediation companies in the U.S. The transaction expands the capabilities of both companies and enhances their combined position within the high-growth, public- and private-sector markets.

The sale to WRS created the opportunity for Edgewater to make an investment in WRS to build further value from Edgewater’s investment in this industry. Compass is another example of Edgewater’s investment strategy.

The company was introduced to Edgewater through a personal relationship with one of Edgewater’s partners and the investment was negotiated on favorable terms to Edgewater without an auction process.

Throughout the investment life, Edgewater assisted in the recruitment of senior management and the generation of dozens of business opportunities that created growth and value in the business.

The company successfully expanded both organically and through the 2004 acquisition of Williams Environmental Services. Edgewater will actively assist the combined entity in its continued growth and success.