Sugar Land-based software company Heavy Construction Systems Specialists—commonly known as HCSS—was acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, said Tom Webb, HCSS' vice president of strategic initiatives and customer relations, at a Nov. 18 Fort Bend Economic Development Council meeting.

Webb said while such acquisitions tend to have a negative connotation, it is actually a positive move for the company, which is rapidly growing. With the acquisition, Webb said the company will grow its revenue by three to four times and double its 450 employee headcount in the next five years.

Additionally, Webb said Thoma Bravo is hoping to increase HCSS’ presence in Fort Bend County while expanding internationally. Founded in 1986, HCSS has been in Sugar Land since 2008.

“We have no intention of leaving the city; that’s not what the new acquirer wants,” Webb said. “As a matter of fact, one of the things that they’re most excited about for us is that we’ve been able to fuel our growth with hiring technology people from the community. ... So there’s a lot of growth to come.”

The HCSS campus is located on 12 acres of land at 13151 W. Airport Blvd. near the Sugar Land Business Park. Webb said the company has the option to expand on some nearby property, but after that will have to expand beyond its current location.