The deal
Legacy Service Partners, a Tampa-based home services platform backed by Gridiron Capital, has added Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating of Branchville, N.J. Terms were not disclosed.
Willco was founded in 1988 by Bill Cowan and serves North Jersey, including parts of Sussex and Morris counties. Douglas Willis Jr. is the company's owner and general manager, and he said Legacy is committed to keeping Willco locally managed and community-focused.
Legacy was founded in 2021 and now operates 30 local brands across 19 states.
Willco is the kind of company platforms buy every week: a well-established, locally run HVAC contractor with a long customer history. "Locally managed" is a common promise. Owners should ask what it means in practice, including who sets prices, who hires and fires, and how long the current manager is expected to stay.
What this means if you own an HVAC company
- Define "local control." Get specifics on decisions you'll keep and the ones the platform will make.
- Steady beats flashy. A 38-year track record and loyal customers are what add-on buyers want.
- Platforms are everywhere. Legacy alone runs 30 brands in 19 states, and it isn't the biggest.
Source: Legacy Service Partners announcement, April 2026. Summary and analysis by V2 Strategy Advisors.