13.08.2026

Another acquisiton for Ascent

US Wire rope and rigging supplies distributor and fabricator Ascent Lifting, which largely operates under the Certex USA brand, has acquired maritime and industrial rigging, lifting and fall protection supplier United Rigging of Jacksonville Florida.

United was founded in 1980 and was owned by DeWayne Mueller who will remain on board as operations manager, while Jan Mueller will serve as branch manager. The location will be combined with the Certex branch in Jacksonville.

Ascent is owned by Chicago based private equity firm Shorehill Capital, and was established in 2022 when Shorehill and Charlie Jaques, owner of Pennsylvania based Advantage Sales, acquired Susquehanna Wire Rope & Rigging, also based in Pennsylvania and merged the two companies to create Ascent Lifting.

The following year, they acquired Cargo Control USA, of Sanford, North Carolina, and a few months later merged with Certex USA, which added 38 locations to the Ascent group along with a very strong brand name. In 2025 it acquired Rigging & Marine Hardware, a distributor and fabricator of industrial rigging products and safety solutions with two locations, one in Charleston and one in Columbia, South Carolina, and later that year, added Brevard Rigging Supply of Cocoa, Florida and Hoisting Wire Rope & Sling of Corpus Christi, Texas, taking its depot network to 42 locations.

Companies acquired so far

Ascent chief executive Dee Schweigert said: “United Rigging has built a strong reputation for responsive, hands-on service across Florida’s agriculture, construction, marine, manufacturing, and mining markets. Combining its capabilities with our Certex branch in Jacksonville deepens our presence in the region and supports our mission to be the preferred partner to the U.S. rigging industry.”

Mueller added: “For years, our team has focused on quality products and fast, dependable service for our customers. As part of Certex, we will be able to serve them even better while continuing the hands-on approach that has defined United Rigging.”