Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

The Differences Between Private Equity and Venture Capital

It’s a common misconception that private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) funds are interchangeable when choosing to make an investment. Both PE funds and VC funds involve investing institutional and accredited investors’ capital in private companies with the belief that the investment will generate a meaningful return. However, PE and VC are two distinct asset classes for several reasons.

The Differences Between PE and VC:

Target Company Stage

A target company is the company that’s subject to the investment. PE funds, like Roebling Capital, invest in established, mature companies with proven business models and market share and thus a track record of strong profitability.

VC funds invest in startup companies. These startups may not have revenue or yet be profitable, but are predicted to have massive growth potential.

Percentage of Equity

PE makes control investments by acquiring a significant percentage of a company to be able to control the board of directors. This enables PE to implement its preferred strategic direction. Roebling refers to these value creation strategies as Roebling Value Added™ or RVA™.

VC makes minority investments and thus must be comfortable with the strategic vision of the control investor. These VC investments dilute the current investment group’s ownership percentage and anticipate further dilution by future investors.

Target Company’s Capital Structure

Because PE target companies have a track record of generating cash flow, debt providers are willing to lend money based upon a multiple of that cash flow. As such, PE buyouts involve a mix of debt and equity, which is advantageous for PE as it allows for control investments without requiring equity capital to finance the entire purchase price.

On the flip side, because startup companies don’t have a track record of profitability, debt providers won’t typically lend to these entities due to the risk profile. As a result, VC investments cannot utilize debt, only equity.

How Investment Proceeds Are Used

PE investment uses typically go to the selling party to properly compensate for relinquishing control of the company. There will occasionally be additional growth capital injected to capitalize on immediate growth opportunities for the business, but most growth opportunities are funded via excess cash flow from operations.

VC investment uses are typically to hire additional employees, increase marketing spend, and/or cover operational expenses. Again, VC companies are typically not yet profitable, so expenses exceed revenue. Therefore, additional capital is required to remain in operation.

Targeted Risk Profiles

Return expectations of individual target companies vary between the asset classes, because PE and VC hold different targeted risk profiles. Although both PE funds and VC funds typically target a 20%–30% IRR across the portfolio, the expectations of individual investments vary wildly.

Because PE invests in more mature businesses with consistent cash flows, PE funds expect to make money on every investment. Across a PE fund’s portfolio, the good investment results will more than offset any poor investment results to yield a strong overall return.

However, VC funds know that most of their investments will become worthless, resulting in a dependence on one or two investments to be huge successes to more than offset the losses throughout the rest of the VC fund’s portfolio.

Due to VC’s risk profile, VC investing requires either an existing large, diversified portfolio to mitigate the significant risks or an extreme risk tolerance. Alternatively, PE investing complements any accredited investors’ portfolio to enhance expected return.

Learn More About Roebling Capital Partners

Through our investment thesis and Roebling Value Added™ approach, Roebling Capital unlocks true potential in its portfolio companies with speed and efficiency. Learn more about how we do it here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David GrahamDavid Graham is an Associate at Roebling Capital Partners, a lower-middle-market private equity investment firm.

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