CHICAGO & DENVER — ANewswire — Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (Grant Thornton Advisors) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire MCA Connect, a leading consulting and technology firm known for helping manufacturing and distribution companies modernize operations, enhance data quality and implement practical digital solutions.
Based in Denver, MCA Connect is one of Microsoft’s top partners for manufacturing and distribution and a three-time Microsoft Global Supply Chain Partner of the Year. Over the past two decades, the firm has worked closely with clients to solve everyday operational challenges, ranging from fragmented systems to inefficient workflows that limit growth and profitability.
Where modern advisory services evolve
MCA Connect will become part of Grant Thornton Advisors’ integrated advisory model, which combines strategy, technology, transactions, risk, cyber and operations into a single practice. It will continue to go to market as MCA Connect, a Grant Thornton US company.
By joining Grant Thornton Advisors, MCA Connect will align with a unique approach to advisory services that helps clients move from strategy to execution more efficiently, particularly in industries facing margin pressure, supply-chain disruption and growing customer expectations.
Over the past year, Grant Thornton Advisors has expanded significantly through acquisitions, including Auxis, a specialist in outsourcing and business modernization, and Stax, a firm focused on commercial due diligence and value creation. Together, those transactions have strengthened the firm’s ability to support clients across the full transformation lifecycle.
For clients, the addition of MCA Connect enhances Grant Thornton Advisors’ technology capabilities and strong presence in the manufacturing and distribution sector at a time when demand for AI-driven solutions continues to grow.
Recent Grant Thornton Advisors research found that 62% of manufacturers are applying AI to operational processes, yet many remain in the early stages of governance maturity. Only 7% of survey respondents reported having a tested incident-response plan for AI-related failures, highlighting a growing need for well-governed, enterprise-ready systems.
Deep Microsoft expertise
Both firms share a practical approach to AI and technology adoption, emphasizing governed, scalable systems that improve execution, identify risks earlier and operate reliably in regulated environments.
MCA Connect brings a strong reputation within the Microsoft ecosystem, including deep systems-integration experience built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, Fabric and Azure, among other technology and industry platforms. Combined with Grant Thornton Advisors’ existing Microsoft ecosystem expertise, the acquisition is expected to create a strong capability to deliver large-scale transformations as well as targeted operational improvements — from early strategy and design through implementation and long-term optimization.
Expanding a multinational footprint
The transaction also supports Grant Thornton Advisors’ growing multinational platform. Over the past 18 months, a group of nearly 20 aligned firms across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific have joined the platform — representing almost 25,000 professionals.
In April, Grant Thornton Advisors announced that Grant Thornton Australia is also progressing plans to join the multinational platform. Once that deal closes, the platform will have a footprint of more than 180 offices spanning nearly 20 markets, including the United States, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, Denmark, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.
Grant Thornton Advisors is backed by an investor group led by New Mountain Capital, whose June 2024 investment launched Grant Thornton’s accelerated growth strategy.
Approximately 350 MCA Connect professionals will join Grant Thornton Advisors’ Denver presence following the close of the transaction, which is expected over the summer, subject to customary closing conditions.
Executive quotes:
Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and leader of its multinational platform: “MCA Connect brings deep industry expertise and proven technical capabilities in one of the most operationally complex sectors of the economy. Adding those strengths to our multinational platform strengthens our ability to help clients modernize how they run their businesses — across borders, industries and time zones.”
Tom Puthiyamadam, managing partner of Advisory Services for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC: “For our clients, this acquisition means we’re narrowing the gap between ambition and execution. MCA Connect brings deep industry knowledge, operational fluency and technical expertise. Together, we’ll help clients move faster, make smarter decisions and put technology to work in ways that create meaningful impact for their businesses. This is about turning innovative ideas into measurable results.”
David Durham, CEO of MCA Connect: “From the beginning, it was clear that Grant Thornton Advisors shared our values, our client-first mindset and our belief that real transformation comes from connecting strategy to execution. This combination will allow us to scale what makes MCA Connect unique: our people, our Microsoft expertise and our delivery discipline — while also expanding the ways we can help clients modernize faster and with greater confidence. This is a truly meaningful moment for our team and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Andre Moura and Nikhil Devulapalli, managing directors at New Mountain Capital: “When New Mountain Capital decided to support Grant Thornton Advisors in 2024, we wanted to help the firm strengthen service line capabilities and accelerate its growth trajectory. The firm’s transaction with MCA Connect demonstrates exactly that progress. Grant Thornton Advisors is adding compelling new offerings while continuing to build momentum in technology and global expansion through its Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform.”
Contacts:
Grant Thornton Advisors
Jon Rucket
+1 404 984 6249
MCA Connect
Kelsey Green
+1 281 638 1025