CHICAGO & DENVER, May 20 — Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (Grant Thornton Advisors) today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire MCA Connect, a leading consulting and technology firm known for helping manufacturing and distribution companies modernize operations, improve data quality and deploy 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 alongside clients to address everyday operational challenges, ranging from fragmented systems to inefficient workflows that constrain growth and profitability.
Where modern advisory services live
MCA Connect will be part of Grant Thornton Advisors’ integrated advisory model, which brings together strategy, technology, transactions, risk, cyber and operations in a single practice. It will go to market as MCA Connect, a Grant Thornton US company.
By joining with Grant Thornton Advisors, MCA Connect will dovetail into a unique approach to advisory services that helps clients move from strategy to execution more quickly, particularly in industries facing margin pressure, supply‑chain disruption and rising customer expectations.
Over the past year, Grant Thornton Advisors has expanded aggressively 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 broadened the firm’s ability to support clients across the full lifecycle of transformation.
For clients, the addition of MCA Connect deepens Grant Thornton Advisors’ technology capabilities and strong footprint in the manufacturing and distribution space at a time when demand for AI‑driven solutions is accelerating.
Recent Grant Thornton Advisors research found that 62% of manufacturers are applying AI to operational processes, yet many remain early in their 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, surface risk earlier and operate reliably in regulated environments.
MCA Connect brings strong standing within the Microsoft ecosystem, including deep systems‑integration experience built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, Fabric and Azure, among other technology and industry-related platforms. Combined with Grant Thornton Advisors’ own existing Microsoft ecosystem standing, the acquisition is expected to create a muscular ability to deliver large‑scale transformations as well as targeted operational improvements — doing so from early strategy and design through implementation and long‑term optimization.
Augmenting a multinational footprint
The transaction also supports Grant Thornton Advisors’ expanding 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 advancing plans to join the multinational platform. Once that deal closes, the platform will have a footprint of more than 180 offices spanning almost 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 supported by an investor group led by New Mountain Capital, whose June 2024 investment launched Grant Thornton’s aggressive growth strategy.
Approximately 350 MCA Connect professionals will become part of Grant Thornton Advisors’ Denver presence following the close of the transaction, which is expected over the summer, subject to standard 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 enhances 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 closing the gap between ambition and action. MCA Connect brings deep industry knowledge, operational fluency and technical capability. Together, we’ll help clients move faster, make better decisions and put technology to work in ways that truly move the needle for their businesses. This is about turning smart ideas into real impact.”
David Durham, CEO of MCA Connect: “From the start, 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 special: 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 really meaningful moment for our team and we cannot wait to embrace the opportunities that it presents.”
Andre Moura and Nikhil Devulapalli, managing directors at New Mountain Capital: “When New Mountain Capital decided to back Grant Thornton Advisors in 2024, we wanted to help the firm enhance service line capabilities and accelerate its growth trajectory. The firm’s deal with MCA Connect proves that’s exactly what’s happening. Grant Thornton Advisors is adding compelling new offerings, and, at the same time, building on momentum in technology and dramatic cross-border expansion — through its Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform.”