Southwire Company and Coleman Cable engaged outside PR support in Southwire's $786M Dec. 20 acquisition of fellow wire and cable maker Coleman Cable.

Southwire is one of the largest private U.S. companies with annual revenue around $5B, according to Forbes. Publicly traded Coleman logged 2012 revenue of $915M. 

The $26.25-per-share deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, includes assumption of $294M in net debt of Waukegan, Ill.-based Coleman.

Abernathy MacGregor Group is bolstering Carrolton, Ga.-based Southwire's communications, while Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher and Dresner Corporate Services (IR) advise Coleman Cable. Gary Leftwich heads corporate communications for Southwire. 

The company  said it expects to maintain a "significant presence" in Coleman's base of Waukegan.