Deals of the Year: How Doka-AT-PAC deal impacts Atlanta

Editor's Note: This story is part of the 2023 Deals of the Year Awards, recognizing the leading middle market deals driving growth in the Atlanta region. Tickets are available for the Oct. 26 award ceremony.

Doka’s acquisition of Roswell-based AT-PAC created a global, single source for construction formwork and scaffolding.

The January 2023 transaction culminated a three-year partnership and process and solidified a partnership between two unique cultures and business structures. AT-PAC was a family-founded, American-based business with 25 years of experience manufacturing high-quality scaffolding. Doka is a $1.5 billion, 150-year-old European-centric business with an extensive global corporate structure. 

The economic impact of the agreement allows AT-PAC to commit the capital required for manufacturing and deployment of more than 110 million pounds of engineered steel scaffolding products for the construction industry in the infrastructure, oil and gas, energy, industrial and construction sectors, AT-PAC CEO Josh Dundon said. He was appointed CEO following the acquisition, having previously served as the company’s chief operating officer. 

This marriage increases operational efficiencies, reduces project material lead times and simplifies administrative processes for construction outfits.

The two companies formed an initial partnership in 2020. Two years later, Doka became a major shareholder in AT-PAC, owning 60%.

Doka’s acquisition signifies an overall commitment to not only Atlanta but the entire United States. The Atlanta office serves as AT-PAC’s global headquarters and houses 50 of the company’s 200 employees. They plan to double global headcount to 400 in the next five years and many of those new positions will be in Atlanta, Dundon said. 

“We anticipate significant growth between now and 2031 in roles like supply chain, engineering and product development,” he said. “Atlanta has always been a competitive environment for talent and our industry maybe isn’t the sexiest, but this deal provides a platform that gets people excited about what we can offer in Atlanta.”

Doka is a global powerhouse, raising the profile of the AT-PAC brand. 

“I personally was extremely proud to be part of such a complex transaction that spanned three years,” Dundon said. “Doka did their due diligence and is standing behind the AT-PAC name and product. The industry recognizes that being backed by a company as large as Doka is highly notable.”