Frontline Road Safety Expands Southeast Footprint with Acquisition of Peek Pavement Marking
Frontline Road Safety, a leading provider of pavement marking and roadway safety solutions in the United States, has announced the acquisition of Peek Pavement Marking, a Columbus, Georgia-based provider of pavement marking and road safety services. While financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed, the deal marks a significant milestone for both companies, positioning them for stronger growth and deeper service capabilities across the Southeast.
The move represents the 10th acquisition by Frontline Road Safety since receiving a strategic growth investment from Bain Capital earlier in 2025, underscoring the company’s accelerated expansion strategy and focus on consolidating expertise within the roadway safety sector.
Peek’s Journey: From Parking Lots to Interstate Highways
Founded in 1962 by Donnie Peek, the company began with modest operations—painting parking lots and small-scale projects in the Columbus area. In 1967, Louis McCosh joined the firm, contributing to its steady expansion and establishing its reputation as a reliable pavement marking contractor.
Over the next six decades, Peek evolved from a small, local business into a comprehensive pavement marking service provider with operations spanning Georgia and South Carolina. Its offerings expanded to cover local roads, municipal projects, and major interstate highways, making it a critical partner for state transportation agencies, municipalities, and private contractors.
Today, Peek operates with a fleet of more than 200 vehicles and a highly trained workforce, enabling the company to meet project demands with speed, flexibility, and precision. The business has become known not just for technical expertise but also for its customer-centric approach, with a reputation built on quality, safety, and reliability.
Why Frontline Chose Peek
For Frontline Road Safety, Peek’s acquisition is a strategic complement to its existing operations in neighboring regions. By adding Peek’s footprint in Georgia and South Carolina, Frontline gains greater regional density and strengthens its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality road safety solutions nationwide.
Frontline CEO Mitch Williams emphasized the cultural and operational alignment between the two companies:
We’re honored to welcome Peek to the Frontline family as we continue to expand our operations across the country. For more than six decades, Will Peek and his pavement marking team led by Marc Hinson have set the standard for quality, safety, and reliability. Joining forces enables us to bolster our operations and elevate the benchmark for road safety services in the region.”
Peek’s owner, Will Peek of Fortson-Peek Company, Inc., echoed these sentiments, stressing that the acquisition would help preserve the company’s legacy while providing new opportunities for growth:
Peek has always stood for integrity, innovation, and investment in our people and equipment. Partnering with Frontline ensures our legacy continues through the support of its resources and national footprint. Together, we can continue to expertly serve our region while preserving the culture and client relationships that Peek has built over 60 years.
A Consolidation Wave in the Road Safety Industry
The U.S. roadway safety services sector has been undergoing significant transformation, with consolidation becoming a key strategy for companies seeking to expand service offerings and geographic reach. Fragmentation has historically characterized the industry, with many regional players operating independently.
Frontline’s approach—backed by Bain Capital’s investment—has been to bring together high-performing regional leaders under one national platform. By acquiring specialized firms like Peek, Frontline not only scales its operations but also integrates local expertise and relationships, which are critical in a sector that requires trust and long-term partnerships with government and private clients.
For states like Georgia and South Carolina, where population growth and infrastructure investments continue to accelerate, having a strong, well-capitalized road safety partner is particularly important. Federal infrastructure spending initiatives, such as those supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), are driving unprecedented demand for pavement marking, traffic control, and related safety services.
What the Deal Means for Customers and Communities
For customers—including state departments of transportation, municipalities, and contractors—the acquisition promises several benefits:
- Expanded Capabilities: Frontline can now deploy larger teams, advanced equipment, and additional resources to projects in the Southeast.
- Consistency Across Regions: Clients operating across multiple states will gain from uniform service standards and processes under Frontline’s umbrella.
- Enhanced Safety Standards: The merger allows for cross-training and sharing of best practices, further strengthening safety protocols for both workers and road users.
For communities, the deal translates to more resilient and reliable roadway safety services. Pavement markings are not only essential for traffic management but also play a direct role in reducing accidents and improving driver awareness. With Peek’s proven record and Frontline’s scale, the Southeast stands to benefit from improved roadway safety infrastructure.
Bain Capital’s Role and Growth Strategy
The acquisition also reflects the broader investment thesis of Bain Capital, which partnered with Frontline earlier in 2025 to accelerate growth in the infrastructure services sector. Bain’s backing has enabled Frontline to pursue an aggressive expansion plan, already resulting in ten acquisitions in less than a year.
This buy-and-build strategy reflects Bain’s confidence in the road safety industry’s long-term growth potential, particularly as governments at federal, state, and local levels prioritize investments in transportation infrastructure, smart mobility, and safety technology.
By combining private capital with operational excellence, Bain and Frontline aim to create a national leader capable of addressing evolving roadway needs, from traditional pavement marking to next-generation solutions supporting autonomous and connected vehicles.
Legal and Advisory Teams
The transaction was supported by a team of legal and financial advisors:
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Frontline.
- VRA Partners served as financial advisor to Frontline.
- Eversheds provided legal counsel to Peek.
The involvement of top-tier advisors highlights the complexity and importance of the deal within the broader infrastructure services landscape.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Frontline Road Safety Group is the nation’s leading pavement marking company. Frontline proudly serves a wide variety of customers and industries, including airports, government agencies, public highways, roads, and private corporations. Committed to a deep local operational leadership strategy, Frontline’s team members and operating companies have decades of industry experience, unmatched reputations, and technical expertise at every level. Frontline’s best-in-class companies average over forty years of successful experience building long-term relationships with their customers across the country.
