The Objective
Develop a standardized IT operating model that will scale globally and allow for rapid expansion via acquisitions and deliver the company’s double digit EBITDA Growth goals.
Summary of Partnership Engagement
XPEL, partnered with Bridgehead IT to develop and implement a flexible and cost-effective IT strategy to support their expansion through global acquisitions to meet a required 60-day integration window post-close and provide full IT management and support services. Bridgehead provided an end-to-end framework that included cybersecurity, integration cycle of new acquisitions, and centralized systems and support infrastructure. This led to standardization across the platform, which resulted in significant growth and improved operational efficiency.
The Results
Bridgehead’s end-to-end IT solutions for XPEL added immediate value to pre-close diligence along with immediate EBITDA growth for the portfolio:
- XPEL was able to grow from 50 employees in 2014 to over 1495 with 107 sites in 2025.
- Bridgehead IT collaborated with Ring Central and Hubspot to create a centralized global call center system to support customers across the world.
- Bridgehead cost structure cost effectively supports the “choppy” demands for support and integration throughout the year as deal flow ebbs and flows.
- Due to a clear growth strategy from the very beginning, Bridgehead was able to consolidate XPEL’s number of infrastructure and software systems from 14 to 4.
- As XPEL has scaled, they have realized a 37% reduction in IT operating costs through a standardized platform strategy.
- Bridgehead’s 24X7X365 security operations center de-risked the investment by prioritizing cyber posture and eliminating downtime.
- Bridgehead’s global delivery network has allowed XPEL to support its teams in Asia, Europe and the middle east as seamless as its team members in the USA.
- Having a partner like Bridgehead where global IT management and support are core to their business, XPEL has been able to reduce their burden and risk and stay focused on what they do best.
The Technology
Bridgehead IT used a variety of technology solutions to implement its IT integration blueprint, including:
- Standardized IT Operating Model: Designed to scale globally and support rapid M&A activity.
- Cybersecurity Services: Continuous monitoring and risk mitigation.
- Global IT Management & Support: End-to-end delivery network for international operations.
- Call Center Infrastructure: Built with RingCentral and HubSpot for centralized global customer support.
- IT Strategy & Diligence Support: Pre-close planning and post-close execution.
