Ascent Lifting, Inc. (“Ascent Lifting”), a portfolio company of Shorehill Capital LLC (“Shorehill”), announced that it completed the acquisition of United Rigging, Inc. (“United Rigging”) on July 31, 2026. This marks the sixth acquisition for Ascent Lifting, a leading value-added distributor and fabricator of lifting and rigging products, with 42 locations nationwide operating under the CERTEX USA (“CERTEX”) brand.
Founded in 1980, United Rigging is a Jacksonville, Florida-based marine and industrial supply company specializing in rigging, lifting, and fall protection products. United Rigging’s major product lines are uniquely suited to meet the needs of customers in the agriculture, construction, marine, manufacturing, mining, and data center markets. The company also provides crane rope installation and on-site wire rope spooling services.
Following the acquisition, United Rigging will combine with Ascent Lifting’s CERTEX branch in Jacksonville, further strengthening CERTEX’s service capabilities throughout northeast Florida. DeWayne Mueller has been named Operations Manager, and Jan Mueller will serve as Branch Manager, ensuring continuity for customers across the region.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the United Rigging team to Ascent Lifting,” said Dee Schweigert, CEO of Ascent Lifting. “United Rigging has built a strong reputation for responsive, hands-on service across Florida’s agriculture, construction, marine, manufacturing, and mining markets. Combining their capabilities with our CERTEX branch in Jacksonville deepens our presence in the region and supports our mission to be the preferred partner in the U.S. rigging industry.”
“We’re excited to join the Ascent Lifting family,” said DeWayne Mueller, former Owner and now Operations Manager of United Rigging. “For years, our team has focused on quality products and fast, dependable service for our customers. As part of CERTEX, we’ll be able to serve them even better while continuing the hands-on approach that has defined United Rigging.”
“We’re pleased to support Ascent Lifting’s continued expansion in Florida with the addition of United Rigging,” said Robert Jackson, Managing Director at Shorehill. “Their reputation for service and their long-standing customer base make them a natural complement to the CERTEX branch network.”
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP served as legal advisors to Shorehill and Ascent Lifting. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.