Alpine Laser

Alpine Laser, based in Minneapolis, is an innovative manufacturer of laser cutting and laser welding solutions for the medical device industry.  Its highly optimized state-of-the-art equipment and development support combined with the guiding principle of ‘by engineers, for engineers’ delivers precise and efficient results for medical device OEMs and contract manufacturers worldwide.

Machine Solutions, Inc.

Machine Solutions Inc. is a Flagstaff, AZ-based provider of advanced equipment and services to the medical device industry. Its brands include MSI, Steeger USA, Vante, PlasticWeld Systems, Crescent Design, Beahm Designs, BW-TEC, Intec Automation, SEBRA and more, representing a breadth of products for automating manual processes in catheter and stent manufacturing operations and the broader medical device industry.  MSI is a portfolio company of St. Louis-based BW Forsyth Partners, a private investment firm with a long-term investment horizon and evergreen capital through Barry-Wehmiller Group, a global provider of professional services and equipment to a diverse set of end markets.

Activated Research Company

Activated Research Company is an innovative product development company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  ARC specializes in chemical analysis and catalytic reactors for gas and liquid chromatography.   ARC’s Polyarc and Jetanizer product lines are cutting-edge add-on accessories for gas chromatography equipment.  These microreactors significantly enhance the analysis of complex mixtures, biofuels and oils, and greenhouse gases, and improved FID sensitivity.

Shimadzu

Shimadzu Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange:  7701), founded in 1875, is a leading provider of analytical and measuring instruments, medical systems, industrial machinery, and aircraft systems.   Shimadzu is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan with operations globally through a large network of subsidiaries.  The Polyarc and Jetanizer products complements Shimadzu’s line of gas chromatography devices for use in scientific, industrial and other laboratories around the world.  

Consolidated Container

Consolidated Container is third generation family-owned manufacturer, reconditioner and distributor of industrial containers and provider of recycling and related services. Consolidated Container has facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Kansas City, Kansas, and has serviced a stable of blue-chip customers throughout its storied history going back over 100 years.

Mauser Packaging Solutions

Mauser Packaging Solutions, an affiliate of Stone Canyon Industries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products and services. The Company currently operates manufacturing locations in over 20 countries serving industry-leading customers on an international basis.  Stone Canyon Industries is a global industrial holding company based in Los Angeles, CA. Their family of companies focus on mission-critical industries essential to everyday life such as Salt, Distribution & Logistics, and Rail Transportation.

Dakotaland Manufacturing

Dakotaland Manufacturing is a leading Upper Midwest precision fabricator with 130,000 square feet of production space across two facilities.  Sioux Falls, SD-based Dakotaland is a vertically-integrated company utilizing the latest technology to offer high quality, flexible manufacturing with capabilities including machining, precision fabrication, welding, complex assembly, and finishing.  Customers include top players in aftermarket parts, power generation, utility / construction / ag equipment, healthcare, and more.

Vermilion Group

Vermilion Group is the Mortenson family’s approach to long-term, impact-oriented investing.  Minneapolis-based Vermilion uses the family’s experience in building M.A. Mortenson Companies to make investments alongside management teams to achieve social and environmental impact while generating competitive financial returns.

R&M Manufacturing

R&M Manufacturing, based in Buffalo, Minnesota, produces precision sheet metal components and provides custom metal fabrication services for blue chip customers across a variety of industries.  For over 50 years, R&M has been delivering high quality products to leading OEMs including Honeywell, Cummins, nVent, Mahle, Bosch Automotive, and Schneider Electric.

Tri-W Group

Tri-W Group is a family office formed after the majority sale of the W.W. Williams Company. Tri-W remains owned by the Williams family and seeks to diversify the family’s wealth with direct investments in operating companies.  Tri-W seeks to invest in time-tested companies with proven business models in the light manufacturing and service space.

Diesel Cast Welding

Founded in 1973, Diesel Cast Welding (“DCW”) is a leading producer of new aftermarket and remanufactured cylinder heads, engine blocks, connecting rods, and crankshafts for heavy duty diesel engines in Class 8 trucks and equipment for agriculture, construction, oil, mining, logging, industrial / generation, and marine. DCW products are a high quality, factory-specification alternative to OEM parts for nearly all of the leading diesel engines used in North America—including older models no longer supported by their manufacturers.  The Company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has an additional production location in Portland, Oregon, with components sourced from a variety of suppliers in the US, China, India, United Kingdom and Argentina.

Warren Equity Partners

Warren Equity Partners is a private equity firm that invests in small and middle market operating companies primarily in North America. The firm invests in established companies where additional capital and operating resources can accelerate growth, targeting companies in the industrial, infrastructure, and business services sectors. Warren Equity is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

DCA Manufacturing

DCA Manufacturing, headquartered in Cumberland, WI, specializes in electronic manufacturing services, including printed circuit boards and electromechanical assembly.

Debron Industrial Electronics

Debron Industrial Electronics, headquartered in Troy, MI, is a manufacturer of electronic controls, wire and cable harness and printed circuit board assemblies.  Debron is a a portfolio company of The Mendota Group in partnership with Holleway Capital, Kansas Venture Capital and Capital for Business.

Du Fresne Manufacturing

Du Fresne Manufacturing, headquartered in White Bear Lake, MN, is a leading contract manufacturer of precision sheet metal fabrications and finished component assemblies with value-added engineering services, including product design / development, prototyping, and Design for Manufacturability.

Color Technologies

Color Technologies, headquartered in Roseville, MN, is a leading provider of finishing services metal fabrication industry.  Capabilities include liquid paint and powder coating, silk screening, and more.

Lake Air Companies

Lake Air Companies, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, is a precision manufacturer of metal products with deep expertise in sheet metal and structural fabrication, machining, stamping, tool design and build, and electromechanical assembly serving industrial OEMs in the medical, turf care, industrial, automotive and aerospace industries.

Polar Plastics

Polar Plastics is a St. Paul-based manufacturer of plastic film and low density polyethylene products.  The Company’s plastic sheeting, film, and bags are used in a wide variety of end markets and applications including packaging, logistics, home improvement, consumer, and more.  Products are sold through mass retail and distribution under the Polar Plastics brand and private label.

Spell Capital

Spell Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-based private equity group with a focus on well-managed, historically profitable industrial manufacturing businesses. Spell Capital Partners is currently investing out of its fifth fund.

Viking Engineering & Development

Based in Minneapolis, Viking Engineering specializes in in the design and manufacturing of state-of-the art machinery for automated wood pallet and bedding production, along with related fasteners, replacement parts and service.  Viking has been the industry standard since 1975 with several thousand machines in service worldwide.

Spell Capital Partners

Spell Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-based private equity group with a focus on well-managed, historically profitable industrial manufacturing businesses. Spell Capital Partners is currently investing out of its fifth fund.

Lake Air Companies

Minneapolis-based Lake Air Companies is a value-added precision manufacturer of metal products with deep expertise in sheet metal and structural fabrication, machining, stamping, tool design and build, and electromechanical assembly.  The Company serves a wide variety of OEMs across the medical, turf care, industrial, automotive and aerospace segments.

The Mendota Group

The Mendota Group, based in Madison, WI focuses on private investments to support ownership transition and growth opportunities.  The Mendota Group acquired Lake Air Companies in partnership with Chicago-based Aldine Capital and St. Louis-based Capital for Business.

Custom Headed Products

Custom Headed Products, Inc. is a North Branch, Minnesota-based manufacturer of value-added specialty component parts for OEMs in the recreational vehicle, automotive, agricultural equipment, and other industries.  Founded in 2000, the CHP’s products include various high quality fasteners, axels, and bent parts using cold forming and machining processes.

Wisconsin Coil Spring

Wisconsin Coil Spring is a Muskego, Wisconsin leading international supplier of custom designed metal components including precision mechanical springs, wire forms and flat springs along with related assemblies.  Wisconsin Coil Spring serves markets including automotive, appliance, consumer products, construction equipment, lawn and garden, electrical power systems and a range of industrial products.

Idle Free Systems

Idle Free Systems, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, is an innovative provider of complete, idle elimination solutions for the over-the-road, day cab, and work truck markets. The Idle Free electric APU offers drivers and fleet operators a flexible, cost-effective alternative to discretionary idling without compromising performance, cost savings or driver comfort while reducing emissions for a cleaner environment.

Phillips & Temro Industries

Phillips and Temro Industries, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a leading global supplier of engineered thermal solutions, systems and controls. With facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, the company serves the heavy duty truck, off-highway, oil & gas, power generation, automotive, and electric/hybrid vehicle end markets.  Phillips & Temro Industries is a portfolio company of Audax Group, a Boston-based private equity sponsor.

Arrow Industrial

Arrow Industrial provides high precision fabricated components to the aerospace and medical industries.  It supplies assemblies to Eaton, Ducommun, Lockheed Martin, ITT Exelis, and Honeywell for aircraft programs including the Boeing 787, 737, and 777; Gulfstream 650/550; F-35, F-22, B-52 and many others.  Arrow also supplies components used in medical devices for Medtronic, Terumo, and others.  Arrow Industrial, based in Denver, Colorado is a former division of Premier Precision Group.

Stremel Manufacturing

Stremel Manufacturing provides high precision fabricated components to the aerospace industry.  Products include assemblies used in munitions, weapons pylons, aircraft doors, and much more.  Stremel supplies Boeing, Goodrich, Honeywell, Eaton, Raytheon and other top aerospace OEMs for aircraft/munitions programs including the JDAM, Small Diameter Bomb, C-5 Galaxy, Ah-64 Apache, F-18 Hornet, and many more.  Stremel Manufacturing, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a former division of Premier Precision Group.

Chandler Industries:

Chandler Industries is a Montevideo, Minnesota-based precision manufacturer of components and sub-assemblies for a wide variety of demanding customer applications. Chandler provides integrated services from initial product design and prototypes to product development and testing, right through full production CNC machining.  Chandler Industries is a portfolio company of St. Louis, Missouri-based private equity group Arch Equity Partners.

Pacific Press Technologies

Pacific Press Technologies is engaged in the manufacture and service of press brakes, hydraulic presses, and shears for industrial metal forming applications—with a specialty in the niche, customized and high tonnage segment of the market.  Pacific Press Technologies, based in Mount Carmel, Illinois, is a former division of Capital Equipment Group.

Quality Products, Inc.

Quality Products, Inc. is a Columbus, Ohio-based manufacturer and distributor of capital equipment for the aircraft ground support and hydraulic press markets.

Spectrum Products

Spectrum Products is a complete provider of commercial swimming pool deck equipment for schools, hotels, recreational centers, fitness clubs, and therapy/rehabilitation facilities.  Spectrum utilizes the highest quality materials to make durable equipment including assisted access lifts, lifeguard chairs, rail goods and ladders, starting platforms and thermal pool blankets.  Spectrum Products is based in Missoula, Montana.

PlayCore

PlayCore is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of a broad range of commercial and consumer playground and park equipment, surfacing, site amenity, fitness, and related play products. PlayCore operates under the following family of brands: GameTime, UltraSite, UltraShelter, UltraPlay, GT Grandstands, Snug, Play & Park Structures, TotTurf, Everlast Climbing, and Swing-N-Slide. PlayCore is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity group Irving Place Capital.

Quality Tool

Quality Tool is an engineering-focused provider of precision metal fabrication, stamping, machining, bus bar and design services to diversified industrial, medical, technology, telecommunications and defense industries. The Company utilizes a sophisticated design services/engineering team, LEAN manufacturing practices, and state-of-the-art equipment to produce high quality components with short lead times.  Quality Tool is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Demmer Corporation

Demmer Corporation is a Lansing, Michigan-based vertically-integrated manufacturer that provides fabrication, machining, assembly and integration to companies in the defense, aerospace, automotive, energy, and transportation industries.  Demmer employs over two million square feet of state-of-the-art production space to produce components and performs assembly for battle tanks, personnel carriers, bomb-resistant vehicles, and much more.

Tonka Equipment Company

Tonka Equipment Company is a leading manufacturer of customized drinking water treatment systems for the municipal market.  While it is focused primarily on the North American municipal drinking water market, Tonka’s water treatment expertise has also found effective applications in tertiary water filtration, environmental remediation and industrial process projects. The Company provides a broad line of proprietary gravity, pressure and membrane filtration systems suitable for treatment of a wide variety of ground and surface waters.  Tonka Equipment Company is based in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Meriwether Capital

Meriwether Capital is an investment firm founded in 1976 to acquire profitable lower middle-market manufacturing, distribution or service companies for long-term investment.  The firm typically partners with the existing management team of its portfolio companies to build lasting value.  Meriwether Capital is based in New York, New York.

Door Engineering and Manufacturing

Door Engineering and Manufacturing is a maker of custom design and engineered doors for specialty industrial, aviation, governmental and agribusiness applications. Products manufactured include; Bottom Rolling Hanger Doors, Four-Fold and Bi-Fold Doors, Craneway Doors, Vertical Lift Doors, Fire Doors, Industrial Sliding Doors and Clean Room Doors. The Company is based in Kasota, Minnesota, and operates under the Door Engineering and American Metal Door brand names.

The Mendota Group

The Mendota Group acquires small to medium-sized manufacturing, distribution and service businesses that are either privately owned or subsidiaries/divisions of publicly owned companies.  Their preference is for businesses in the Upper Midwest that provide opportunities to significantly enhance value through increased efficiency, growth and acquisition.  The Mendota Group is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jonaco Machine

Jonaco Machine is precision machining supplier for the aerospace/defense, medical, and high technology industries, utilizing the latest in production technology with a variety of metals, alloys, castings, and plastics to create high quality components.  Jonaco Machine is based in Chaska, Minnesota.

Demmer Corporation

Demmer Corporation is a Lansing, Michigan-based vertically-integrated manufacturer that provides fabrication, machining, assembly and integration to companies in the defense, aerospace, automotive, energy, and transportation industries. Demmer employs over two million square feet of state-of-the-art production space to produce components and performs assembly for battle tanks, personnel carriers, bomb-resistant vehicles, and much more.

Arctic Fox

Arctic Fox is a leading supplier of high quality, proprietary components to the heavy-duty trucking and off-highway equipment markets.  The Company manufactures and sells their own line of patented fuel and fluid heating products as well as sells systems to OEMs and aftermarket dealers.  Arctic Fox is based in Delano, Minnesota.

Spell Capital Partners

Spell Capital Partners is a private equity and buyout firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Spell is  engaged in the acquisition of controlling interests in well-managed, historically profitable manufacturing or distribution businesses.  Spell Capital uses its expertise in acquisitions and financing to grow the businesses in which they invest, both internally and through add-on acquisitions.

Spartan Products

Spartan Products has manufactured steel and aluminum trailers for boats, snowmobiles, and recreational watercraft. Spartan was the oldest continuing manufacturer of boat trailers in the United States and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

MET-TEK

MET-TEK is a St. Paul, Minnesota-based full-service steel fabricator. The company fabricates steel from components to complex  assemblies and prototypes to full scale production.

ELO Engineering

ELO Engineering is a complete precision metal fabricator that serves the transportation/aviation, medical device, industrial equipment and electronics industries.  ELO utilizes the latest in laser cutting technology, a flexible manufacturing system, CNC machine tools, robotic welding and a full scale liquid/powder paint shop.  ELO Engineering is based in Fridley, Minnesota.

Demmer Corporation

Demmer Corporation is a Lansing, Michigan-based vertically-integrated manufacturer that provides fabrication, machining, assembly and integration to companies in the defense, aerospace, automotive, energy, and transportation industries. Demmer employs over two million square feet of state-of-the-art production space to produce components and performs assembly for battle tanks, personnel carriers, bomb-resistant vehicles, and much more.

Stewart Manufacturing and Special Processing

Stewart Manufacturing and Special Processing provides high precision machined and fabricated components along with anodizing, passivation and other surface treatments to the commercial aerospace industry.  Products include auxiliary power units, various housings, turbofan engines, environmental control units and much more.  Stewart Manufacturing and Special Processing, based in Phoenix, Arizona, are former divisions of Premier Precision Group.

Noranco

Noranco is a world class, integrated manufacturer and solutions provider to the global commercial and military aerospace sectors. Producing aero-structure, landing gear and aero-engine products, Noranco provides value through a wide range of sophisticated capabilities including design, prototyping, complex precision machining and sheet metal fabrication, processing, assembly, kitting, testing and supply chain management.  Noranco, based in Toronto, Canada, is a former portfolio company of Bedford Capital.

Infinity Precision

Infinity Precision specializes in customized wet process, drying and chemical handling systems that offer precision process control. The Company provides these manufacturing processes for precision components that often require wet process steps such as etching, coating, cleaning, passivating, priming, developing and drying.  Infinity Precision is based in Chanhassan, Minnesota.

Brass Ring Capital, et al

Infinity Precision was acquired by a group of investors including Brass Ring Capital, Lewis & Clark Equities, Invest Northwest and Minnesota Investment Network. The acquisition was led by Brass Ring Capital, a private equity firm with offices in Minneapolis and Milwaukee.  The firm is focused on addressing the equity and liquidity needs of small business owners in the Upper Midwest with profitable, niche companies generating revenues of $5 – $25 million.

Preferred Electric

Preferred Electric is a commercial electrical contractor with a legacy dating back to 1927 through the acquisition of Commercial Electric Company of the Twin Cities.  Preferred Electric serves the commercial, healthcare, and industrial markets with high-quality, client-centric service with notable clients including the VA Hospital, a major semiconductor fabrication company, and several printing press firms.

Horwitz

Horwitz is a Midwest-based mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) specialty contractor.  Horwitz leverages deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach to deliver comprehensive services, including design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance to commercial and industrial clients including those in critical industries such as data centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare, and more.  Horwitz is a portfolio company of Svoboda Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm founded in 1998 that invests in the business services and value-added distribution sectors.

Visante

Visante is a leading provider of specialized tech-enabled consulting and advanced partnership services focused on helping health systems accelerate financial and operational performance through their pharmacy offerings.  Visante serves as a trusted partner to health systems across the U.S., enabling clients to optimize their pharmacy operations and utilize pharmacy as a strategic asset in the health system’s overall goal of providing the highest quality of care possible to patients. Visante’s team of professionals brings deep, contemporary, and innovative expertise to clients across key areas within the pharmacy enterprise, including specialty pharmacy, infusion strategy, 340B performance, supply chain optimization, and pharmacy revenue cycle management. Visante currently partners with over 130 health systems across 45 states leveraging the Company’s unique combination of tech-enabled data analytics and assessment capabilities, financial acumen, implementation expertise, and ongoing operational support.

Avesi Partners

Avesi Partners is a leading private equity investment firm with $883 million of equity capital under management. Based in Stamford, CT with an office in Richmond, VA, Avesi focuses on partnering with lower-middle market, privately-held, and family-owned businesses in key sectors of the economy, primarily focused on healthcare services but also investing in the insurance, technology, and business services sectors.

Bellwether Media

Minnetonka, MN-based Bellwether Media is a leading publisher of educational children’s books for students in Pre-K through Grade 7. The Company offers engaging, literacy-promoting content through four well-recognized brands: Bellwether, Jump!, Bearport, and Kaleidoscope.  Their award-winning books are widely recognized by librarians and educators as the best nonfiction titles for beginning and struggling readers.

Bellwether, along with its three associated brands, publishes literacy-promoting books for the school library, classroom, and public library markets. The Company is differentiated by the quality and consistency of its products as well as top-notch customer service and support. Bellwether maintains a portfolio of ~7,500 nonfiction titles that address a wide variety of subject matter and student segments, including early literacy, at-risk literacy, and STEM.

Lineage Capital

Boston-based Lineage Capital invests exclusively in owner-managed and family-controlled businesses. Its unique partnership approach provides business owners with significant liquidity, while enabling them to retain a meaningful ownership position and continued control of the board of directors. They focus on high-quality, lower-middle-market businesses that seek a value-added partner to help facilitate future growth and success.

Owens Companies

Owens Companies, a second-generation family business founded in 1957, is a leading commercial and residential HVAC services provider in the Twin Cities metro market. The nationally recognized company is focused primarily on preventative maintenance and services for heating and cooling applications, and has a significant presence in the manufacturing, industrial, education, and healthcare end markets.

Orion Services Group

Orion Group is a commercial facility services company seeking to partner with market leading family-owned service providers in HVAC / mechanical, landscaping, and facilities maintenance. Orion is a portfolio company of Alpine Investors, a private equity group with $15 billion in assets under management and offices in San Francisco, New York, and Salt Lake City.

Southview Design

Founded in 1978, and based in St. Paul, MN, Southview Design is the leading independent provider of landscaping services to high end residential and commercial clients in the Twin Cities Metro and Western Wisconsin market.  The nationally-awarded organization offers a wide variety of landscaping design-build, enhancement, maintenance services, and snow / ice management for a large and growing client base.

Mariani Landscape

Founded in 1958, and headquartered in Lake Bluff, IL, Mariani Landscape is a top provider of high end residential landscaping services known for its award-winning design, best-of-class landscape practices, game-changing innovation, and continuing thought leadership.  Mariani is building a “family of family companies” across the nation by partnering with other premium, family-owned landscape companies to deliver even better client experiences.  Mariani Landscape is a portfolio company of New York-based CI Capital Partners.

Simpliconnect

Simpliconnect services convenience store and petroleum brands across 35+ states across the United States. The Minneapolis-based SaaS provider is focused on driving client engagement for small- to medium-sized merchants, specifically focusing on chains with 2 – 100 sites/locations. Simpliconnect offers a powerful and customizable loyalty management system, including mobile apps for merchants.

Ackroo

Ackroo (TSX: AKR.V) provides marketing, payment and point-of-sale solutions for merchants of all sizes.  Ontario, Canada-based Ackroo’s self-serve, data driven, cloud-based marketing platform helps merchants in-store and online process and manage loyalty, gift card and promotional transactions at the point of sale. Ackroo’s payment services provide niche merchants including golf clubs, automotive dealers and more with low-cost payment processing options through some of the world’s largest payment technology and service providers.

Cyber Advisors

Founded in 1997 and based in Minneapolis, MN, Cyber Advisors offers a comprehensive IT solution for small-to-medium sized companies across the Midwest. The Company is a one-stop shop for managing a client’s IT systems and spend and can provide partial or fully outsourced solutions for managed services, digital & IT transformation, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Goldner Hawn

Founded in 1989 and based in Minneapolis, MN, Goldner Hawn partners with management teams of businesses with $5 million to $20 million of EBITDA with a focus on business services, manufacturing, and value-added distribution. Goldner Hawn has made over 40 platform investments in companies with total transaction values exceeding $3 billion.

Horwitz, Inc.

Founded in 1918 and based in New Hope, MN, Horwitz operates as a multi-trade specialty mechanical and HVAC service provider.  The Company provides engineering, installation, and ongoing support for the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building controls industry segments.  Horwitz is differentiated by its deep in-house design/build engineering capabilities which supports the Company’s cross-disciplinary service offerings.  The Company provides a full suite of services to over 1,300 customers annually consisting of general contractors, specialty contractors, and building owners.

Svoboda Capital Partners

Svoboda Capital Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm founded in 1998.  Svoboda Capital identifies, invests in, and helps build excellent businesses in partnership with management teams across companies in niche business services and value-added distribution.

Antenna

Antenna, based in Minneapolis, is a provider of outsourced marketing services to companies of all sizes and across a variety of industries offering contract, project, interim / fractional leadership, and direct hire solutions.  Since 2006, Antenna has been providing employees in disciplines including Marketing & Communications, Digital Marketing, Strategy & Insights, Creative & Design, and Channel/Distribution/Pricing to Fortune 500 companies and the small and medium-sized business market.

24 Seven

24 Seven, headquartered in New York, is one of North America’s largest digital marketing and creative staffing resourcing firms specializing in the placement of freelance and full-time creative, digital marketing, and technology talent through a network of eleven U.S. offices and two international offices. Clients include a combination of corporations and marketing/advertising agencies.  24 Seven is a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners.

Creatis

Creatis, based in Minneapolis, is a creative and marketing resourcing firm that helps businesses get more work done by delivering outsourced studio production services and on-site staffing resources to extend the capabilities of their internal teams.  For over 20 years, Creatis has been helping companies like Medtronic, Ecolab, UnitedHealth Group and RBC Wealth Management find high-quality marketing and creative solutions.

24 Seven

24 Seven, headquartered in New York, is one of North America’s largest digital marketing and creative staffing resourcing firms specializing in the placement of freelance and full-time creative, digital marketing, and technology talent through a network of eleven U.S. offices and two international offices. Clients include a combination of corporations and marketing/advertising agencies.  24 Seven is a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners.

Gilbert Mechanical

Gilbert Mechanical is a leading provider of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls and fire protection services, including a comprehensive solution set for commercial customers in healthcare and other end markets with critical facility uptime needs. Gilbert’s in-house engineering staff and service department offer design-build project delivery and ongoing preventative and emergency maintenance to serve the full lifecycle of their customers’ facilities.  The Company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

Therma Holdings

Therma Holdings is a leading mechanical, electrical, plumbing and controls services company focused on designing, building, and servicing complex systems in mission-critical facilities. Therma has in-house engineering, design, fabrication, process piping, controls, pre-fabrication and installation capabilities. Therma works for owners, general contractors and construction managers in the technology, biopharmaceutical, data center, semiconductor and other industries with complex requirements.  Therma, a portfolio company of Gemspring Capital, is based in San Jose, CA with additional locations in Southern California, New Mexico, Maryland and Minnesota.

Automatic Systems Co.

Automatic Systems is a leading systems integrator of controls and automation for water and wastewater treatment plants across the Upper Midwest.  ASC offers strong engineering and programming capabilities to design / build customized process automation solutions with products from top manufacturers and perform significant follow-on work including upgrades, maintenance, and emergency service to its diverse set of customers that includes an installed base of 10,000+ facilities.  The business was founded in 1967 and is headquartered just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota with additional offices in Ames, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois

Vessco, Inc.

Vessco is a multifaceted water treatment company providing value-added distribution and engineering services for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment projects, primarily in the upper Midwest and central United States. The Company implements a highly technical sale process that requires a consultative, engineering-centric approach. This effort is supported by Vessco’s outstanding reputation as industry experts with its over 3,500 past customers. Vessco is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota.  Vessco is a portfolio company of Detroit-based O2 Investment Partners.

Lovegreen Industrial Services

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota and founded in 1948, Lovegreen is a millwright contracting and industrial services provider specializing in the installation, custom fabrication, relocation and repair of industrial equipment, and niche heavy duty metal fabrication.   Lovegreen also has two related entities in the transaction:  Reliatech, an Owner’s Rep provider; and Lovegreen Material Handling, a heavy duty overhead crane design, fabrication, installation and maintenance provider.

New Day Partners

New Day Partners, LLC is an entity formed by family office investors to acquire and operate Lovegreen.

Circuitech

Circuitech is a leading provider of repair services for ATMs, self-checkout and teller cash/coin dispensers with technical expertise extending to products from all major manufacturers and models. Circuitech’s engineers and technicians have extensive background in electromechanical and electronic repair, and over 200 years of repair/test experience covering a wide range of technologies.

HTX

HTx Services is a a technology infrastructure and ATM maintenance services company, combining an integrated on-site support organization with a world class command center to cost effectively provide Level 1, 2 or 3 support in a multi-vendor environment.

Sir Lines-a-Lot

Sir Lines-a-Lot, is a leading provider of highway, road, and parking lot pavement marking services with a a comprehensive suite of services including paint and epoxy striping, 3M tape, preformed thermoplastic marking, striping removal, and complete parking lot sign and bollard installation.

Consolidated Infrastructure Group

Consolidated Infrastructure Group provides a full spectrum of outsourced utility asset damage prevention services and solutions to electric, gas, wate

Avenica

Avenica (formerly GradStaff) is the leading U.S. recruiting firm exclusively focused on placing recent college graduates into entry-level career-track positions. Avenica uses a proprietary interview process that identifies skills beyond the resume and partners with companies to refine job profiles and streamline the hiring process. A personalized matching process leads to the right fit for both candidates and clients, which results in better outcomes—very high candidate conversion and retention rates—at a lower cost. Avenica serves a national client base, and places thousands of recent graduates each year from seven offices throughout the United States.

University Ventures

University Ventures is a venture capital and private equity fund focused on investments around the future of higher education and creating new pathways from education to employment.  UV is led by principals with decades of experience as entrepreneurs, investors, authors, and leaders in higher education.

Tech-Pro

Since 1989, Tech-Pro has provided experienced IT professionals and project teams to implement and maintain its clients’ essential systems and applications. The company’s staffing flexibility and technical breadth help its large clients meet priorities and deliver on projects. Tech-Pro’s clients span a variety of industries, including retail, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, insurance and others.

Artech Information Systems

Artech is a providers workforce solutions, IT consulting, and SOW-project services as a Tier-1/Preferred Supplier to more than 70 Fortune 500 companies and numerous federal and state government agencies. Artech employs over 7,200 professionals and maintains over 25 locations across the U.S., India, and China.

BestMark

Based in Minneapolis, BestMark assesses and improves customer satisfaction and loyalty for major companies in retail, automotive, hospitality, technology and other industries. BestMark’s comprehensive suite of customer information services includes mystery shopping, customer surveys, compliance audits, customer intercept interviews, and employee feedback surveys.

Generation Growth Capital

Generation Growth Capital is a Milwaukee-based private equity firm focusing on investments in small businesses to support ownership transition and growth opportunities. By partnering with solid management teams, GGC adopts a proactive, collaborative approach that builds the businesses in which they invest.

Carbonair

Founded in 1983, Carbonair focuses on the rental and sale of specialized groundwater treatment equipment for the environmental, petroleum, and construction industries. These highly customized treatment systems are used extensively in both short and long-term applications across North America. Carbonair is headquartered in Roseville, Minnesota with additional locations in Florida, Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

ProAct Services Corporation

ProAct, headquartered in Ludington, Michigan, is an environmental treatment solutions provider focused on removing contaminants from water, air, and soil for clients across the United States and abroad.

Northern Technologies

Headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, Northern Technologies is a geotechnical engineering and testing company with operations across the Upper Midwest.  In addition to its core services in geotechnical engineering and construction material testing, NTI has additional service capabilities including nondestructive testing, environmental site assessments, forensic engineering, and other related services.

Arch Equity Partners

Arch Equity Partners, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a private investment firm that concentrates on investments in companies in the lower middle market. Northern Technologies is Arch Equity Partners’ seventh portfolio company.

Garden & Associates

Garden & Associates, Inc. is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based provider of outsourced language services to the medical market.  G&A also provides document translation and serves legal, corporate, and government entities.

Generation Growth Capital

Generation Growth Capital is a Milwaukee-based private equity firm focusing on investments in small businesses to support growth opportunities.

Helgeson Enterprises

Helgeson Enterprises is a leading provider of outsourced data validation and fulfillment services for rebates and other programs.  The Company is engaged in data entry, mail processing, document scanning, validation, processing, call center management, program management, and fulfillment procedures.  Helgeson Enterprises is based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Parago

Parago is a Dallas, Texas-based provider of incentive and engagement solutions.  Parago delivers a range of services and technology for rebates, reward programs, channel management, and prepaid programs.

eDocument Resources

eDocument Resources is a content management and workflow optimization IT consulting firm serving government, healthcare, insurance and other clients.  eDocument Resources is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DataBank IMX

DataBank IMX is a Beltsville, Maryland provider of outsourced imaging and information solutions for the government, higher education, healthcare, energy and general industrial markets. DataBank is a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity group Svoboda Capital Partners.

Premier Restaurant Equipment Company

Premier is a full service foodservice design and equipment firm specializing in casinos, restaurants, senior living facilities, hospitals, hotels, entertainment facilities and cafeterias.  It offers a range of design, procurement, project management, master planning, budgeting, installation and other services.  Premier Restaurant Equipment Company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hillcrest Capital Partners

Hillcrest Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-based private equity firm.  It focuses on acquiring smaller middle market companies based in the upper Midwest, typically owned by families or entrepreneurs who are looking for liquidity and ownership transition.

Certes Financial Pros

Certes Financial Pros capitalizes on the increasing demand for high-end financial and accounting outsourcing. The Company specializes in providing financial professionals to clients requiring outside assistance with financial project support and interim financial professionals.  Certes is based in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

Staffing Now

Staffing Now is an employment services company that specializes in placing administrative, finance, accounting or legal professionals on a temporary and full-time basis.  The Company has over 40 offices across the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.  Staffing Now is based in Des Moines, Iowa and is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm.

Supply Chain Services

Supply Chain Services is a technical logistics company specializing in the design, sales and support of mobility, wireless, scanning and other supply chain management solutions.  SCS helps customers obtain strategic information by offering a wide variety of mobile solutions, bringing enterprise software out to the “last mile” users in the manufacturing facility, warehouse or retail floor.  Examples of SCS technology offerings include portable data terminals, barcode scanners, wireless networking equipment, card/check readers, RFID and more.  Supply Chain Services is based in Stillwater, Minnesota.

SCS Acquisition Company, LLC

Supply Chain Services was acquired by an entity formed by Sidney Emery, the former Chairman and CEO of MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC).

Information Security Technology (IST)

IST is a leading provider of information security solutions for business, non-profit organizations and all levels of government. The Company’s security solutions combine best-available technology with industry expertise to create end-to-end solutions, from system development to regular security audits.  IST is now based in Skokie, Illinois.

Forsythe

Forsythe is focused on providing its clients with infrastructure solutions that help optimize cost and manage risk of their IT systems while improving performance. The Company offers technology and business consulting services, technology leasing, and products from all leading IT infrastructure manufacturers.  Forsythe’s clients are served from nearly 50 offices in the United States and western Canada.  The Company is based in Skokie, Illinois.

Dascom Systems Group, Inc.

Dascom specializes in designing, integrating and manufacturing audio and video systems for distance learning, videoconferencing, corporate boardrooms and IPTV.  They serve several key markets including, corporate, education, broadcast, medical, government, judicial and telecommunication service providers.  The Company is based in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Strength Capital Partners

Strength Capital Partners is a Birmingham, Michigan-based private equity firm that specializes in acquiring “Middle Economy” businesses throughout the greater Midwest. The firm targets businesses with $20 – $200 million in annual sales in manufacturing, distribution, industrial and financial services, infrastructure and consumer products.

McCombs Frank Roos Associates (MFRA)

MFRA offers a full range of professional consulting services to clients in the public and private sectors. Their comprehensive range of services includes civil engineering, planning, surveying, and energy-related services.  MFRA’s expertise is frequently used in land development, wind energy, industrial wastewater, community planning and other initiatives.  The Company is based in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Tonka Bay Equity Partners

Tonka Bay is a Minnetonka, Minnesota-based private equity firm that acquires and invests in niche manufacturing and business services companies with EBITDA greater than $2 million. They provide multiple forms of junior capital including common stock, preferred stock and subordinated debt—investment may represent a control or a non-control position in a portfolio company.

Consolidated Container

Consolidated Container is third generation family-owned manufacturer, reconditioner and distributor of industrial containers and provider of recycling and related services. Consolidated Container has facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Kansas City, Kansas, and has serviced a stable of blue-chip customers throughout its storied history going back over 100 years.

Mauser Packaging Solutions

Mauser Packaging Solutions, an affiliate of Stone Canyon Industries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products and services. The Company currently operates manufacturing locations in over 20 countries serving industry-leading customers on an international basis.  Stone Canyon Industries is a global industrial holding company based in Los Angeles, CA. Their family of companies focus on mission-critical industries essential to everyday life such as Salt, Distribution & Logistics, and Rail Transportation.

Minnesota Tile

Based in Minneapolis and founded in 1930, Minnesota Tile & Stone is a leading provider of tile, porcelain, brick, fireplaces, and custom fabricated natural stone countertops to the high-end residential and commercial markets with five showrooms across the Twin Cities metro.

K.G. Stevens

Milwaukee-based K.G. Stevens is Wisconsin’s largest wholesale fabricator and installer of quartz, natural stone, solid surface, ultracompact, sintered and porcelain countertops. Additionally, the company offers pre-built and ready to install cabinetry and luxury appliances including Kohler products. K.G. Stevens products are sold to commercial and residential markets via builders, contractors and architects, as well as direct-to-consumer via its showroom, website and membership club partners such as Costco.  K.G. Stevens is a portfolio company of Milwaukee-based Borgman Capital.

ALL, INC.

ALL Inc., based in St. Paul, MN, is a leading appliance and cabinet distributor to the single family, multi-family, residential, senior living and hospitality industries in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The Company boasts the Midwest’s largest showroom, over 24,000 square feet with 10 live test kitchens, and a 185,000 square foot warehouse. ALL offers a vast assortment of products from leading brands including Viking, Sub Zero, Miele, Whirlpool, GE and others.

BUILDING MATERIAL DISTRIBUTORS

Building Material Distributors, Inc (BMD) is a building solutions company, focused on supporting high performing building products with distribution, manufacturing and building services throughout the United States. BMD’s portfolio of companies includes Carriage House Door, Clearovations, Kansas City Millwork, Moehl Millwork, Precision Building Solutions and Texas Door and Trim. BMD is an employee owned company since 1991.

Automatic Systems Co.

Automatic Systems is a leading systems integrator of controls and automation for water and wastewater treatment plants across the Upper Midwest.  ASC offers strong engineering and programming capabilities to design / build customized process automation solutions with products from top manufacturers and perform significant follow-on work including upgrades, maintenance, and emergency service to its diverse set of customers that includes an installed base of 10,000+ facilities.  The business was founded in 1967 and is headquartered just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota with additional offices in Ames, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois

Vessco, Inc.

Vessco is a multifaceted water treatment company providing value-added distribution and engineering services for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment projects, primarily in the upper Midwest and central United States. The Company implements a highly technical sale process that requires a consultative, engineering-centric approach. This effort is supported by Vessco’s outstanding reputation as industry experts with its over 3,500 past customers. Vessco is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota.  Vessco is a portfolio company of Detroit-based O2 Investment Partners.

MacQueen Equipment Group

Founded in 1961 and based in St. Paul, MacQueen is a leading dealer of heavy equipment for municipalities and commercial contractors.  The Company specializes in the sale of Elgin street sweepers, Vactor excavators, Pierce fire apparatus, Oshkosh snow removal equipment and Heil refuse trucks throughout the Upper Midwest.

Rotunda Capital Partners

Rotunda Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests equity capital in established and profitable lower middle market companies.  The firm uses a rigorous approach to identify market-leading companies with identifiable growth opportunities and capable management teams in targeted sectors, including distribution, logistics, specialty finance, and business services.  Since 2009, Rotunda Capital has completed twelve platform investments and realized four exits.

Walcro

Founded in 1971, Walcro is a leading distributor of flooring installation products in the Upper Midwest.  Through its Minneapolis headquarters and 16 other branch locations across six states, the Company sells tools, supplies, and accessories for the installation of tile, stone, carpet, and wood flooring—over 5,000 different items from more than 100 leading manufacturers.

WILsquare Capital

WILsquare Capital is a St. Louis-based private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing lower middle market businesses in the Midwest and Southern United States, with an emphasis on business services, niche manufacturing, distribution and technology companies.

Midway Industrial Supply

Founded in 1955, Midway Industrial Supply is a distributor and systems integrator of industrial fluid handling and spray finishing equipment and supplies to industrial companies across the Upper Midwest.  Minneapolis-based Midway Industrial Supply was previously a portfolio company of Milwaukee-based private equity group Generation Growth Capital.

Ohio Transmission Corporation

Established in 1963, Ohio Transmission Corporation is one of the largest industrial distributors in the United States, providing expert solutions for industrial spray finishing, motion control, fluid power, power transmission and pumping systems.  Ohio Transmission Corporation maintains locations throughout the South and the Midwest and Northeast regions. Since 2015, Ohio Transmission has been a portfolio company of private equity firm Irving Place Capital, a New York private equity group with over $4 billion under management.

Pipeline Supply

Pipeline Supply is a leading wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, sewer, and well products to the Upper Midwest.  The Company provides contractors, builders, property managers and hospitality operators with the top lines in each category—in excess of 100,000 SKUs.  Founded in 1977 and based in Minneapolis, Pipeline Supply operates via six branch locations and a state-of-the-art showroom.

Dakota Supply Group

Dakota Supply is one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing distributors of innovative electrical, plumbing, HVAC/R, communications, utility, metering technology, automation and waterworks products. Established in 1898, the employee-owned company currently has thirty-one DSG locations throughout Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Montana as well as the additional six Pipeline Supply locations in Minnesota. With nearly 670 employee owners throughout its organization, DSG’s headquarters is in Fargo, ND.

Berg Bag Company

Berg Bag Company provides high quality packaging solutions for the agricultural, food, consumer products, and other industries.  The Company’s offerings are typically used for transporting or storing dry materials like agricultural and food products, building materials, and miscellaneous industrial goods.  Berg Bag Company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rapid Packaging

Rapid Packaging is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based distributor of packaging materials and equipment solutions.  Rapid Packaging provides the manufacturing, food, medical, printing and distribution industries materials that secure their products from production through transportation.

eDocument Resources

eDocument Resources is a content management and workflow optimization IT consulting firm serving government, healthcare, insurance and other clients.  eDocument Resources is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DataBank IMX

DataBank IMX is a Beltsville, Maryland provider of outsourced imaging and information solutions for the government, higher education, healthcare, energy and general industrial markets. DataBank is a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity group Svoboda Capital Partners.

Premier Restaurant Equipment Company

Premier is a full service foodservice design and equipment firm specializing in casinos, restaurants, senior living facilities, hospitals, hotels, entertainment facilities and cafeterias.  It offers a range of design, procurement, project management, master planning, budgeting, installation and other services.  Premier Restaurant Equipment Company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hillcrest Capital Partners

Hillcrest Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-based private equity firm.  It focuses on acquiring smaller middle market companies based in the upper Midwest, typically owned by families or entrepreneurs who are looking for liquidity and ownership transition.

Applied Products

Applied Products is a provider of complete assembly and process solutions, focusing on incorporating adhesives, dispensing equipment, assembly automation, production tools and engineering into one resource.  The Company serves a wide variety of industries including packaging, paper converting, product assembly, medical, and graphic arts.  Applied Products is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Ward Adhesives

Ward Adhesives is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based distributor of specialty adhesives for the packaging, product assembly, and graphic arts industries.  Ward Adhesives is a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity group Svoboda Capital Partners.

Don Stevens

Don Stevens is a wholesale distribution business representing top brands across HVAC, foodservice and lodging equipment, including Goodman, Amana, Manitowoc, Silver King, Panasonic, McCall, SerVend, Imperial, Kelvinator, LG, Honeywell and many others. Don Stevens sells to equipment dealers and contractors in the Upper Midwest, with branch locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and Nebraska.  Don Stevens is based in Eagan, Minnesota.

Ironwood Partners

Ironwood Partners is a New York-based private equity firm that invests primarily in growing manufacturing and distribution companies that can benefit from the implementation of “lean business systems”. This hands-on, collaborative group takes a long term approach to improving and building businesses, while drawing heavily on the knowledge of their collective experience and relationships with successful business leaders.

Arctic Fox

Arctic Fox is a leading supplier of high quality, proprietary components to the heavy-duty trucking and off-highway equipment markets.  The Company manufactures and sells their own line of patented fuel and fluid heating products as well as sells systems to OEMs and aftermarket dealers.  Arctic Fox is based in Delano, Minnesota.

Spell Capital Partners

Spell Capital Partners is a private equity and buyout firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Spell is  engaged in the acquisition of controlling interests in well-managed, historically profitable manufacturing or distribution businesses.  Spell Capital uses its expertise in acquisitions and financing to grow the businesses in which they invest, both internally and through add-on acquisitions.

Circuit Research Corporation (CRC)

Circuit research Corporation is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of specialty chemical products for the printed circuit board industry.

Seacole

Seacole is a Plymouth, Minnesota diversified chemical manufacturing and distribution company offering essential products and services to a wide variety of markets worldwide.

Hound Dog Products

Hound Dog Products is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of innovative lawn and garden tools. The Company started on the strength of its original weeding tool and now has a number of complementary products filling a variety of lawn and garden needs, including weeding, edging, pet clean up, aerating, irrigating, cultivating, planting and tilling.  The Company is now based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Ames True Temper

Ames True Temper is a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of non-powered lawn and garden products including tools and decorative accessories.  The Company sells its products primarily in the U.S. and Canada through retail centers, wholesale chains and industrial distributors. Ames True Temper is based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm, Castle Harlan.

Supply Chain Services

Supply Chain Services is a technical logistics company specializing in the design, sales and support of mobility, wireless, scanning and other supply chain management solutions.  SCS helps customers obtain strategic information by offering a wide variety of mobile solutions, bringing enterprise software out to the “last mile” users in the manufacturing facility, warehouse or retail floor.  Examples of SCS technology offerings include portable data terminals, barcode scanners, wireless networking equipment, card/check readers, RFID and more.  Supply Chain Services is based in Stillwater, Minnesota.

SCS Acquisition Company, LLC

Supply Chain Services was acquired by an entity formed by Sidney Emery, the former Chairman and CEO of MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC).

Information Security Technology (IST)

IST is a leading provider of information security solutions for business, non-profit organizations and all levels of government. The Company’s security solutions combine best-available technology with industry expertise to create end-to-end solutions, from system development to regular security audits.  IST is now based in Skokie, Illinois.

Forsythe

Forsythe is focused on providing its clients with infrastructure solutions that help optimize cost and manage risk of their IT systems while improving performance. The Company offers technology and business consulting services, technology leasing, and products from all leading IT infrastructure manufacturers.  Forsythe’s clients are served from nearly 50 offices in the United States and western Canada.  The Company is based in Skokie, Illinois.

Dascom Systems Group, Inc.

Dascom specializes in designing, integrating and manufacturing audio and video systems for distance learning, videoconferencing, corporate boardrooms and IPTV.  They serve several key markets including, corporate, education, broadcast, medical, government, judicial and telecommunication service providers.  The Company is based in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Strength Capital Partners

Strength Capital Partners is a Birmingham, Michigan-based private equity firm that specializes in acquiring “Middle Economy” businesses throughout the greater Midwest. The firm targets businesses with $20 – $200 million in annual sales in manufacturing, distribution, industrial and financial services, infrastructure and consumer products.

Bellwether Media

Minnetonka, MN-based Bellwether Media is a leading publisher of educational children’s books for students in Pre-K through Grade 7. The Company offers engaging, literacy-promoting content through four well-recognized brands: Bellwether, Jump!, Bearport, and Kaleidoscope.  Their award-winning books are widely recognized by librarians and educators as the best nonfiction titles for beginning and struggling readers.

Bellwether, along with its three associated brands, publishes literacy-promoting books for the school library, classroom, and public library markets. The Company is differentiated by the quality and consistency of its products as well as top-notch customer service and support. Bellwether maintains a portfolio of ~7,500 nonfiction titles that address a wide variety of subject matter and student segments, including early literacy, at-risk literacy, and STEM.

Lineage Capital

Boston-based Lineage Capital invests exclusively in owner-managed and family-controlled businesses. Its unique partnership approach provides business owners with significant liquidity, while enabling them to retain a meaningful ownership position and continued control of the board of directors. They focus on high-quality, lower-middle-market businesses that seek a value-added partner to help facilitate future growth and success.

Minnesota Tile

Based in Minneapolis and founded in 1930, Minnesota Tile & Stone is a leading provider of tile, porcelain, brick, fireplaces, and custom fabricated natural stone countertops to the high-end residential and commercial markets with five showrooms across the Twin Cities metro.

K.G. Stevens

Milwaukee-based K.G. Stevens is Wisconsin’s largest wholesale fabricator and installer of quartz, natural stone, solid surface, ultracompact, sintered and porcelain countertops. Additionally, the company offers pre-built and ready to install cabinetry and luxury appliances including Kohler products. K.G. Stevens products are sold to commercial and residential markets via builders, contractors and architects, as well as direct-to-consumer via its showroom, website and membership club partners such as Costco.  K.G. Stevens is a portfolio company of Milwaukee-based Borgman Capital.

Polar Plastics

Polar Plastics is a St. Paul-based manufacturer of plastic film and low density polyethylene products.  The Company’s plastic sheeting, film, and bags are used in a wide variety of end markets and applications including packaging, logistics, home improvement, consumer, and more.  Products are sold through mass retail and distribution under the Polar Plastics brand and private label.

Spell Capital

Spell Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-based private equity group with a focus on well-managed, historically profitable industrial manufacturing businesses. Spell Capital Partners is currently investing out of its fifth fund.

JDS Marketing & Sales

JDS Marketing & Sales, based in Minneapolis, is a leading e-commerce retailer and wholesaler of personalized gifts for weddings, birthdays, holidays and special occasions.  The Company goes to market through its direct-to-consumer sites A Gift Personalized and GroomsShop, Amazon and Etsy storefronts, and wholesale through a variety of top wedding and gift retailers.  Products include a selection of over 6,000 SKUs of barware, travel accessories, home décor, and other gift items personalized with diamond engraving, laser etching, screen and direct-to-garment printing, and embroidery.

Traverse Pointe Partners

Traverse Pointe Partners, based in Chicago, is a private equity firm focused on control investments at the lower end of the middle market.  The firm targets the sectors of manufacturing, business services, healthcare and distribution.  JDS marks the third platform in its portfolio.

Whiting Clinic

Whiting Clinic is a top provider of LASIK vision correction and cataract surgery in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  Whiting Clinic was founded in 2009 by leading ophthalmologist Dr. David Whiting, who has performed more than 100,000 LASIK procedures in the Twin Cities.

Vision Group Holdings

Vision Group Holdings, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is the largest LASIK provider in North America, with locations across the United States and Canada.  Clinics under VGH’s two brands, The LASIK Vision Institute and TLC Laser Eye Centers, have collectively performed over 3.3 million LASIK eye procedures.

Modern Automotive Performance

Modern Automotive Performance, based in St. Paul, MN, is a specialty e-commerce retailer and manufacturer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories for upgrades to Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda and other leading marques.  MAP offers over 40,000 SKUs to its large and growing customer base of performance tuning and racing enthusiasts.

SD Wheel

Enthusiast Enterprises, based in Chicago, is a leading e-commerce retailer for custom car and truck accessories and wheel fitments.  They have built up a reputation for selling and distributing the highest quality wheels and tires through brands such as SD Wheel, Custom Offsets, Fitment Industries, ARKON OFF-ROAD, Anthem Off-Road, TrailBuilt Off-Road, Mr. Wheel Deal, and Artisa ArtFormed Wheels.

Animal Adventure

Animal Adventure, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a designer and manufacturer of plush products for the children’s, baby, pet, and water toy markets.  The Company provides its products to leading retailers worldwide including Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Walgreens, Tesco, Costco, Safeway, Petco, and many others.  Animal Adventure produces several distinctive branded product lines alongside its expertise in private label and seasonal items.

Spell Capital Partners

Spell Capital Partners is a Minneapolis-headquartered private equity group engaged in the acquisition of controlling interests in well-managed, historically profitable industrial manufacturing businesses.  The group focuses on collaborating with management to grow the companies in which they invest – both internally and through add-on acquisitions.  Spell Capital Partners is currently investing out of its fourth private equity buyout fund.

MindWare

MindWare is an award-winning creator and manufacturer of Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages. Its diverse product line includes educational toys, games, brain teasers, creative play activities, building sets, coloring books and more! The company has evolved into a direct-to-consumer catalog and website, along with its own wholesale division. Consumers, educators and retailers have come to recognize MindWare as a trusted resource for their families, students and customers.  MindWare is based in Roseville, Minnesota.

Oriental Trading

Oriental Trading Company, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the nation’s largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, and a leading provider of school supplies and affordable home décor and giftware.  Oriental Trading is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hound Dog Products

Hound Dog Products is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of innovative lawn and garden tools. The Company started on the strength of its original weeding tool and now has a number of complementary products filling a variety of lawn and garden needs, including weeding, edging, pet clean up, aerating, irrigating, cultivating, planting and tilling.  The Company is now based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Ames True Temper

Ames True Temper is a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of non-powered lawn and garden products including tools and decorative accessories.  The Company sells its products primarily in the U.S. and Canada through retail centers, wholesale chains and industrial distributors. Ames True Temper is based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm, Castle Harlan.

Don Stevens

Don Stevens is a wholesale distribution business representing top brands across HVAC, foodservice and lodging equipment, including Goodman, Amana, Manitowoc, Silver King, Panasonic, McCall, SerVend, Imperial, Kelvinator, LG, Honeywell and many others. Don Stevens sells to equipment dealers and contractors in the Upper Midwest, with branch locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and Nebraska.  Don Stevens is based in Eagan, Minnesota.

Ironwood Partners

Ironwood Partners is a New York-based private equity firm that invests primarily in growing manufacturing and distribution companies that can benefit from the implementation of “lean business systems”. This hands-on, collaborative group takes a long term approach to improving and building businesses, while drawing heavily on the knowledge of their collective experience and relationships with successful business leaders.

Pella Rio Grande, Inc.

Pella Rio Grande, Inc. is an independently-owned distributor that sells, installs, and provides service for Pella window and door products.  The Company serves customers across its sales territory, which includes the New Mexico, five counties in southwestern Colorado, and eight counties in west Texas.  Pella Rio Grande is based is Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Bonafair Capital Group

Bonafair Capital Group, Inc. is an investment firm formed by Thomas Bonafair and minority partner Tom Womack.  Formerly, Mr. Bonafair was the president and chairman of New Mexico Beverage Co., a liquor distribution company.  Mr. Bonafair also previously owned Santa Fe Springs, a bottled water company, which he sold to another investor.

Spectrum Products

Spectrum Products is a complete provider of commercial swimming pool deck equipment for schools, hotels, recreational centers, fitness clubs, and therapy/rehabilitation facilities.  Spectrum utilizes the highest quality materials to make durable equipment including assisted access lifts, lifeguard chairs, rail goods and ladders, starting platforms and thermal pool blankets.  Spectrum Products is based in Missoula, Montana.

PlayCore

PlayCore is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of a broad range of commercial and consumer playground and park equipment, surfacing, site amenity, fitness, and related play products. PlayCore operates under the following family of brands: GameTime, UltraSite, UltraShelter, UltraPlay, GT Grandstands, Snug, Play & Park Structures, TotTurf, Everlast Climbing, and Swing-N-Slide. PlayCore is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity group Irving Place Capital.

Cedar Valley Exteriors

Cedar Valley Exteriors is an insurance restoration business that manages repair of storm-damaged property, primarily resulting from wind and hail. The Company offers a turnkey solution that allows owners to have property repaired without the hassle of dealing with large, bureaucratic insurance and mortgage companies.  Cedar Valley Exteriors is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CMS Small-Cap

CMS Small-Cap is a private equity fund from CMS Companies, a Philadelphia investment firm.  The Company focuses on businesses with less than $6 million in cash flow in the building materials, consumer products, distribution, for-profit education, healthcare services as well as professional and business services industries.  CMS Small-Cap is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dascom Systems Group, Inc.

Dascom specializes in designing, integrating and manufacturing audio and video systems for distance learning, videoconferencing, corporate boardrooms and IPTV.  They serve several key markets including, corporate, education, broadcast, medical, government, judicial and telecommunication service providers.  The Company is based in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Strength Capital Partners

Strength Capital Partners is a Birmingham, Michigan-based private equity firm that specializes in acquiring “Middle Economy” businesses throughout the greater Midwest. The firm targets businesses with $20 – $200 million in annual sales in manufacturing, distribution, industrial and financial services, infrastructure and consumer products.

InVision Optical

InVision Optical is a chain of upscale eyewear stores offering a wide variety of glasses and eyecare services.  InVision Optical is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

InVision Optical, LLC

InVision Optical was acquired by a former consumer products executive.