Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Roebling Capital Partners Dooter Logo

Announcing Roebling Capital Partners – A new lower-middle-market private equity fund based in Northern Kentucky

(Ft. Wright, KY – June 23, 2020) – Roebling Capital Partners (“RCP”) is pleased to announce their formation and launch of a new lower-middle-market private equity fund based in Ft. Wright, KY.  The Partnership is founded, operated and invested in by seasoned veterans with considerable business ownership, direct investing, private equity, investment banking and operational expertise. 

The day-to-day operations will be managed by:

  • Keith Carlson, as Co-founder, CEO and Managing Partner of RCP. Mr. Carlson will lead the Operations team at RCP, in addition to continuing  his role as shareholder and Managing Director of the M&A practice at VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm; 
  • Brian Malthouse, CPA, as Co-founder and Partner of RCP. In addition to his role as CEO of VonLehman CPA and Advisory Firm, Mr. Malthouse will lend advice on tax and accounting matters to RCP; and,
  • Daniel Magarian, as Co-founder and Partner of RCP. Mr. Magarian, also Chairman and Investor, Field Aerospace, Inc., will assist with day-to-day operations including business development for RCP.

Initial investors in RCP, who will also serve on the RCP Investment Committee and provide significant resources to RCP, include:

RCP intends to invest, through qualified investors, in “traditional” controlling equity investments in privately-held companies. RCP will typically invest $1 million to $4 million per deal (including follow-on investments), serving either as the primary equity sponsor or as a co-investor alongside other equity sponsors.  Transactions that require more than $4 million can be accommodated with RCP’s extensive network of like-minded institutional investors. 

RCP will seek to work with companies that have strong historical operations, possess management that has a desire to continue with the business, are hungry for equity ownership, and have potentially been inhibited by lack of capital or risk tolerance. 

The Partnership will apply its investment strategy across sectors in which the General Partner’s principals have prior experience including business services, industrial products, consumer products and healthcare.  The Primary focus will be in situations in which backgrounds, operational insights and extensive networks of the Partnership’s professionals have the potential to result in strong investment performance outcomes.

While it may seem counter-intuitive to launch a private equity fund in the midst of today’s economic environment, the Partnership is motivated to meet the regional demand for private equity investments, which is historically and routinely completed by out of town private equity funds.

“Brian, Dan and I came together as partners in RCP because we felt that our individual experiences and personalities would work well together in sourcing, funding, structuring and closing private equity investments,” explained Mr. Carlson. “We each have something unique to bring to the table that will make the process smooth and efficient for our portfolio companies.”

“Even during a downturn, private equity is an attractive opportunity for businesses,” explained Mr. Magarian. “Our goal is to reduce the continuity risk that is commonly found in lower-middle-market businesses due to owners generally not focusing on succession planning,” he continued. 

Said Mr. Malthouse, “We want Roebling Capital Partners to be known as the ‘hometown’ provider, for Any Hometown USA. We will leverage our networks near and far to structure private equity investments with the best possible outcomes.”

Company Name
Longstreth Sporting Goods

Website
longstrethfieldhockey.com

Location
Philadelphia, PA

Categories
Active, Value-Added Distribution

Date of Close
August 31, 2023

Longstreth Sporting Goods

Longstreth Sporting Goods is a value-added, omni-channel women’s field hockey equipment distributor that carries impressive brand equity and name recognition in the sector. The Company employs 20 full time employees and has been committed to supporting the development of domestic field hockey for over 40 years. The Company’s omni-channel sales approach boasts revenue streams from E-commerce, Wholesale, Group Sales, and Retail customers. 

Investment Thesis

  • Incredibly strong business model boasting high margins
  • Impressive management team (including middle management)
  • Opportunities for expansion into other sports and internationally
  • Longstreth’s position as the key player in a niche market
  • A very strong risk-adjusted return profile  

RVA™ Approach

  • Investing in eCommerce infrastructure to facilitate continued eCommerce revenue growth
  • Fragmented market prime for inorganic growth
  • Enhancements to operational capabilities to drive further efficiencies
The Porch Swing Company

Company Name
The Porch Swing Company

Website
theporchswingcompany.com

Location
Tampa, FL

Categories
Active, Consumer Products

Date of Close
February 18, 2022

The Porch Swing Company

The Porch Swing Company is one of the largest ecommerce retailers of porch swings and outdoor patio furniture in the U.S. The company’s products are superior-quality, easy-to-assemble, Amish-crafted outdoor furniture, including porch swings, swing beds, gliders, rocking chairs, and more.

Transaction Dynamics
Partnership with the founder to recapitalize the business and position it for future growth. Additionally, RCP partnered with Cincinnati-based operating partners to bolster the day-to-day operational management function. Both the founder and the operating partners made notable investments in the company as part of the transaction.

Investment Thesis
  • Elegant business model and value proposition that enable the company to scale easily and rapidly, without being burdened by significant warehousing space or inventory constraints
  • First-mover advantage and strong barriers to entry given legacy relationships with high-quality, reliable, Amish craftspeople
  • Opportunity to easily expand product offering and optimizing sourcing

RVA™ Approach

  • Investing in R&D to expand product offering and reduce seasonality
  • Improving systems and processes through implementing new technologies
  • Bolstering management infrastructure with key personnel additions
  • Accelerating growth via meaningful investment in sales, marketing, and advertising

Company Name
Teron Lighting, Inc. (TLI, LLC)

Website
teronlighting.com

Location
Cincinnati, OH

Categories
Active, Light Manufacturing

Date of Close
April 16, 2021

Teron Lighting

Cincinnati-based TLI, LLC is a nationally recognized leader in manufacturing energy-efficient, environmentally friendly lighting products. With over 40 years of experience in the design and manufacture of commercial-grade lighting fixtures, TLI is positioned for substantial growth in product and market initiatives.

Transaction Dynamics
RCP provided a solution to the legacy ownership group whereby they could transition out of the business and retire. We partnered with new and existing management, who have notable equity consideration, to align interests and propel growth into the future.

Investment Thesis
  • Compelling value proposition given the TLI’s ability to produce bespoke, American-made products, which are increasingly rare in the sector
  • Strong national manufacturers’ representative network
  • In-house testing and engineering capabilities
  • Diverse end market and customer base
  • Multiple avenues of growth yet to be pursued
RVA™ Approach
  • Top-grading management
  • Improving systems and processes
  • Investing further in engineering capabilities
  • Pursuing add-on acquisitions
  • Initiating a full-scale, ongoing marketing campaign to bolster the brand
All Claims Repairs & Consultants

Company Name
All Claims Repairs, LLC

Website
allclaimsrepairs.com

Location
Deerfield Beach, FL

Categories
Active, Business Services

Date of Close
December 20, 2020

All Claims Repairs

All Claims Repairs is a licensed and insured general contractor specializing in water extraction, mold remediation, and water and fire damage restoration. The company also provides consulting services such as expert testimony and umpiring services to litigated claims. The company works with residential and commercial property owners, insurance companies, and insurance claims professionals to evaluate and restore damaged properties.

Transaction Dynamics
Partnership with the existing owners to recapitalize the business to accelerate growth. The owners/management made a significant investment in the company as part of the transaction.

Investment Thesis

  • Unique value proposition in the industry, providing a full-service offering including both consulting and restoration services to key markets in Florida
  • Strong brand equity in the market
  • Nimble, flexible operations that enable the company to provide a multitude of value-added services to a diverse array of customers
  • Recession-resistant, non-cyclical business model

RVA™ Approach

  • Meaningful investment in the sales and marketing function to further diversify end markets
  • Adding key management members
  • Adding valuable advisory board members
Chemlock Nutrition Logo

Company Name
Chemlock Nutrition

Website
chemlocknutrition.com

Location
Cincinnati, OH

Categories
Active, Value-Added Distribution

Date of Close
June 14, 2021

Chemlock Nutrition

Chemlock Nutrition formulates and provides high-purity, specialty feed additives for end-use in the livestock feed industry. Since entering the industry in 2013, Chemlock is one of the fastest-growing feed additive and ingredient companies in the U.S., having more than tripled its revenue in the last three years.

Transaction Dynamics
Partnership with the founders/owners to recapitalize the company and position it for sustained long-term growth. The founders made a significant investment in the company as part of the transaction and will continue in their existing capacity going forward. 

Investment Thesis

  • The company takes a chemistry-first approach, enabling it to possess a strong position in the market, primarily from a product quality and innovation perspective
  • Attractive growth story, value proposition, and management dynamics
  • Expansive and diverse end markets, some of which are untapped
  • Meaningful continued equity and operational participation from the founders

RVA™ Approach

  • Enhancing systems and inventory management
  • Expanding proprietary product offering through concerted, meaningful investment in R&D
  • Further diversifying customer and end-market base
  • Augmenting the sales and marketing function