Joe Wagner
Managing Director
Joe Wagner is a Managing Director with PMCF and co-leads the firm’s Industrials team. He has more than 20 years of investment banking experience advising his clients on buy side and sell side M&A advisory, shareholder recapitalizations, leveraged and management buyouts, and the private placement of senior and subordinated debt. He specializes in advising businesses that serve the aerospace & defense, automotive, capital equipment, food & beverage, industrial distribution, metals & manufacturing, and transportation & logistics industries. Joe’s clients include domestic and international privately-held businesses, publicly-listed companies, and private equity groups.
Joe began his investment banking career as an Analyst at PMCF. Over his tenure at the firm, he was promoted several times, advancing to his current role as Managing Director, focusing on the Industrials sector. Joe has authored numerous M&A reports for a variety of sectors, with a focus on industrial distribution and food & beverage. He is a frequent speaker at events focused on distribution, industrials, and entrepreneurial growth, providing insight into the M&A market. In addition, Joe has been a featured author and podcaster for several industrial trade publications.
Joe earned a BBA with an emphasis in finance from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, graduating with Beta Gamma Sigma honors. He is a licensed securities representative holding his Series 7, 63, and 24 registrations.
Transaction Experience
PMCF Advises ePost Global on its Partnership with GLS Group
PMCF Advises The Grote Company Family of Brands in its Transaction with BBH Capital Partners Private Equity
PMCF Advises Airsupply Jeyco in its Sale to Tide Rock
PMCF Advises Home Pro Exteriors in its Transaction to Aligned Exteriors Group
PMCF Advises Pro-Vision in its Sale to Vance Street Capital
PMCF Advises P&B Intermodal in its Sale to AEA Investors
PMCF Advises RPM Freight Systems in its Sale to Trive Capital and Bluejay Capital
PMCF Advises Crane Engineering in its Acquisition of Geiger Pump & Equipment Company
Publications
Transportation & Logistics M&A Pulse – Q4 2025
U.S. M&A activity in the Transportation and Logistics (“T&L”) sector declined sharply in 2025, totaling 121 transactions, down 28% from 168 transactions in 2024. Strategic buyers largely paused acquisition activity amid an exceptionally fluid policy environment, including heightened trade uncertainty.
Distribution M&A Pulse – Q4 2025
Q4 2025 reflected lower transaction volumes alongside sustained strategic engagement. Global distribution M&A activity declined 36% year over year during the quarter, with U.S. volumes exhibiting a similar contraction.
Food & Beverage M&A Pulse – Q4 2025
Q4-25 U.S. and global transactions fell 25 percent and 38 percent, respectively, compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
Distribution M&A Pulse – Q3 2025
In Q3-25, the market saw 138 Distribution transactions close worldwide.
What Every Food & Beverage Owner Should Know Before Selling Their Business
The best exit strategies in food and beverage aren’t lucky, they’re meticulously planned years in advance.