A long-term home for automated gate & access control companies

Frostline Gate Group partners with owners of automated gate and access control companies to preserve local brands, teams, and customer relationships while giving your company the resources to grow, so you can start your next chapter with confidence.

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Overview

Who We Are

Frostline Gate Group is building a network of leading automated gate & access control companies that share a commitment to quality work, taking care of their people, and keeping customers for the long haul. We aren’t a typical private equity firm or a bigger competitor looking to fold your business into ours. We’re owner-operators with the same values, and we plan to grow alongside the teams that built these companies.

Why Frostline

Deciding to partner is personal. Here’s what you can count on.

  1. Your name stays on the trucks.

    Your brand, your team, and your customer relationships stay intact.

  2. Long-term owners.

    We buy to operate, not to flip.

  3. A simple, direct process.

    You work with us from the first call to close, typically about 75 days. No layers of middlemen.

  4. Transition on your terms.

    Step back, stay involved, or something in between. We build the plan around what you want.

  5. We take on the admin.

    Accounting, payroll, HR, insurance, and purchasing become our job, so your people can stay in the field.

  6. Investment in your people.

    Training, career paths, and competitive pay for technicians and office staff.

  7. Capital to grow.

    Trucks, technicians, service agreements, and field software that are hard to fund as a single owner.

  8. Part of something bigger.

    As Frostline adds companies, partners gain purchasing scale, shared recruiting, and a larger customer base.

What We Look For

Typical Partner Criteria

We partner with growing automated gate and access control companies with a strong reputation in their market.

  • $300K+ in annual EBITDA (profit)
  • Installation, service, and repair of automated gates and access control across both residential and commercial
  • Recurring service and maintenance work, or a customer base that could support it
  • 5+ employees, including experienced field technicians
  • A strong reputation with general contractors, property managers, and end customers
  • An owner ready for the next chapter, whether that means stepping back or staying on to grow

Not sure you fit? Reach out anyway. We’re happy to talk.

Get in touch
Team

Meet the Team

Jake Guarino, Co-Founder of Frostline Gate Group

Jake Guarino

Co-Founder

Jake is a second-generation entrepreneur and first-generation college graduate, who grew up in his family’s marina, located on a small lake in Vermont. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work through repairing boats and installing dock systems in freezing water. Watching his family’s small business profoundly impact his family and community shaped his desire to eventually run a business of his own.

He has helped scale an operating company from 22 to 120+ employees, launched a new business at a global music company, and advised on small and large M&A transactions.

Outside of work, he is an avid trail runner, cyclist, and lifelong skier. His proudest achievement to date is a one day, 200 mile bike ride down the length of Vermont.

Ethan Strijbosch, Co-Founder of Frostline Gate Group

Ethan Strijbosch

Co-Founder

Ethan is a third-generation entrepreneur and first-generation college graduate, who grew up in his family’s sporting goods store in Belgium. He spent afternoons and weekends stocking inventory and helping customers, making his first sale at two years old. Watching his family’s store become a trusted part of the community taught him that ownership means caring for employees, serving customers well, and showing up every single day.

He has worked alongside 5+ management teams through major transitions, rolled up his sleeves to fix a cash collection crisis, and closed small and large M&A transactions.

Outside of work, he is an avid surfer, freediver, and cook. His proudest achievement to date is reaching a depth of 110 ft on a single breath.

Insights

Notes from the gate industry

What we’re learning about the gate and access control industry: owner guides, market trends, and lessons from the field.

Read Frostline Insights

Contact

Let’s talk about what’s next

You don’t have to be ready to sell. We’re happy to start with a confidential conversation about your business and what matters most to you.

jake@bluebirdgrowthpartners.com
(802) 345-4863