Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

Private Equity Investments for Lower-Middle-Market Companies

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Roebling Capital Partners Announces New Additions to Team

February 18, 2025

Roebling Capital Partners was founded on the premise that attractive investment returns can be achieved through the disciplined purchase of lower middle market companies followed by the execution of a comprehensive collection of professionalization and business improvement efforts—ranging from growth investments, strategy refinement, change management, reporting and analysis—that we have coined Roebling Value Added ™ or RVA™. 

With this vision, we are excited to introduce two exceptional professionals to Roebling to help execute our RVA™ initiatives throughout our portfolio companies: Mike Dektas as portfolio Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Karl Gouverneur as portfolio Chief Technology Officer (CTO). They will play a key role in driving growth, strategy, and operational excellence across our investments. 

Mike Dektas brings a wealth of financial expertise and strategic vision to our company. His extensive experience of over 17 years managing and optimizing investments, development, construction, M&A, and corporate restructuring will be invaluable as our portfolio companies continue to grow. He has raised over $250M and managed a $2.7B portfolio of acquisitions and dispositions. He has driven operational efficiency and maximized investment returns across diverse asset classes, structured joint ventures, and built long-term investor relationships. In addition to this deal activity, Mike has led the ongoing finance and accounting operations of an organization that grew revenues from $90 million to $300 million during his tenure. His background in driving operational focus and efficiency will allow us to scale as we look to grow and expand our platform investments. We are confident that Mike’s insights will help steer our portfolio companies towards greater efficiency and success. 

Karl Gouverneur joins us with a remarkable background in technology and operations. With over 35 years of experience in driving digital transformation, innovation, and cybersecurity advancements, Karl will play a crucial role in advancing our portfolio companies’ digital capabilities. His leadership and deep understanding of the tech landscape will guide our companies through the ever-evolving tech environment and the implementation of cutting-edge solutions necessary to achieve RVA™. Karl has successfully led initiatives in diverse verticals, including fintech and insurtech, delivering award-winning solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reduce risk. His ability to create significant value for organizations through technology and innovation will be instrumental as we continue to grow and evolve our platform investments. We are confident that Karl’s expertise will drive our digital transformation efforts and help us achieve sustained success. 

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mike and Karl. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and contributions they will bring to our organization and portfolio companies. 

Onward and upward, 
Keith and Wes 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keith Carlson is Co-founder and Managing Partner at Roebling Capital Partners, a lower-middle-market private equity investment firm.

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Private equity investments for
lower-middle-market companies

© 2025 Roebling Capital Partners. All Rights Reserved.

Company Name
SprayEZ

Website
sprayez.com

Location
Jacksonville, FL

Categories
Active, Assembler / Value-Added Distributer.

Date of Close
January 31, 2024

SprayEZ Equipment and Coatings, LLC

Founded in 2013, SprayEZ is a leading assembler and distributor of proprietary and branded spray foam insulation rigs, equipment, and supplies. The company sets itself apart through competitive pricing, high-quality products, rapid lead times, and a commitment to comprehensive customer training, service, and education. SprayEZ’s innovative offerings, including its suite of spray foam insulation rigs and its cutting-edge polyurea roofing solution, ExpandoThane, position it as a trusted partner for insulation and roofing professionals nationwide.

Investment Thesis

  • SprayEZ presented an exceptional opportunity due to its strong operational foundation and highly capable management team. In the lower-middle-market, it is rare to find a company with such operational excellence, driven by owners and managers who not only empower their teams but are also committed to retaining equity and leading the company into its next phase of growth.
  • Our investment thesis centered on:
    • Expanding Geographic Reach: Growing SprayEZ’s presence across key U.S. markets, with a focus on high-growth regions in the Southeast and Southwest.
    • Enhancing Customer Loyalty: Implementing state-of-the-art ERP and CRM systems to streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and drive repeat business.
    • Broadening the Product Portfolio: Scaling emerging product lines, such as ExpandoThane, to diversify offerings and capture additional market share within the roofing and insulation industries.

RVA™ Approach

  • Operational Excellence: Implementing advanced systems and strengthening finance and accounting functions to drive operational efficiencies and enhance customer experience.
  • Strategic Leadership: Augmenting the leadership team by hiring key executives while maintaining active owner involvement, ensuring stability and strategic growth.
  • Sales and Marketing Growth: Enhancing sales and marketing efforts, including digital strategies and customer outreach, to build brand recognition, increase market penetration, and support product line expansions.
  • Digital Transformation: Leverage key new hires and third-party resources to completely overhaul SprayEZ’s digital infrastructure, propelling the company to state-of-the-art levels which will enable it to operate more efficiently, drive customer retention, scale more easily, and ultimately become a more professionalized, profitable business.

Company Name
SprayEZ

Website
sprayez.com

Location
Jacksonville, FL

Categories
Active, Assembler / Value-Added Distributer.

Date of Close
January 31, 2024

SprayEZ Equipment and Coatings, LLC

Founded in 2013, SprayEZ is a leading assembler and distributor of proprietary and branded spray foam insulation rigs, equipment, and supplies. The company sets itself apart through competitive pricing, high-quality products, rapid lead times, and a commitment to comprehensive customer training, service, and education. SprayEZ’s innovative offerings, including its suite of spray foam insulation rigs and its cutting-edge polyurea roofing solution, ExpandoThane, position it as a trusted partner for insulation and roofing professionals nationwide.

Investment Thesis

  • SprayEZ presented an exceptional opportunity due to its strong operational foundation and highly capable management team. In the lower-middle-market, it is rare to find a company with such operational excellence, driven by owners and managers who not only empower their teams but are also committed to retaining equity and leading the company into its next phase of growth.
  • Our investment thesis centered on:
    • Expanding Geographic Reach: Growing SprayEZ’s presence across key U.S. markets, with a focus on high-growth regions in the Southeast and Southwest.
    • Enhancing Customer Loyalty: Implementing state-of-the-art ERP and CRM systems to streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and drive repeat business.
    • Broadening the Product Portfolio: Scaling emerging product lines, such as ExpandoThane, to diversify offerings and capture additional market share within the roofing and insulation industries.

RVA™ Approach

  • Operational Excellence: Implementing advanced systems and strengthening finance and accounting functions to drive operational efficiencies and enhance customer experience.
  • Strategic Leadership: Augmenting the leadership team by hiring key executives while maintaining active owner involvement, ensuring stability and strategic growth.
  • Sales and Marketing Growth: Enhancing sales and marketing efforts, including digital strategies and customer outreach, to build brand recognition, increase market penetration, and support product line expansions.
  • Digital Transformation: Leverage key new hires and third-party resources to completely overhaul SprayEZ’s digital infrastructure, propelling the company to state-of-the-art levels which will enable it to operate more efficiently, drive customer retention, scale more easily, and ultimately become a more professionalized, profitable business.

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

“My brother Michael and I wanted to ensure that the company, and every employee, are protected through this transition. I am happy to have Roebling behind us because they will stand behind the growth and the team.”

– David Bellos, Co-owner and Legacy CEO
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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

“When we decided to expand our services, we went looking for a financial partner who could help us get to the next level. Roebling’s philosophy mirrored ours. They approached the partnership with a focus on maintaining our culture and preserving our legacy while we collectively push toward expansion into new territories. We are extremely excited to work with the Roebling team to take All Claims to the next level of growth.” ”

– Tony Allogia, President
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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

“Our business is growing so rapidly that it has outgrown the size of our team. With the addition of outside capital, we can fund more research and staff that will help us close the gap between current meat/dairy production limitations and evolving consumer demand/climate change.”

– Kris Mehan, COO
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