RFE has a successful, 35-year track record in the small buyout market.
Our current and realized investments demonstrate our consistent focus on growth, operational improvement and collaboration with management.
ATS is a leading provider of onsite factory maintenance services with a focus on improving the efficiency, up-time and productivity of the world’s most sophisticated manufacturing companies. RFE partnered with the Company’s CEO in a management buyout, and then helped develop a new sales strategy and a refocus on the Company’s core maintenance service offerings, which resulted in more than a tripling of earnings.
Atrenne is a provider of engineered electronic components and systems to the aerospace and telecom markets. RFE partnered with management to acquire and merge four complementary businesses, then recruited a new CEO with significant prior industry experience to lead this larger combined organization. With our help the company combined product capabilities across the four companies to offer complete electronic systems solutions, then recruited an experienced VP Sales and broadened sales and marketing capabilities to cross sell the full range of product solutions to existing tier one aerospace and telecom customers.
Baxter is a manufacturer of foodservice and bakery equipment used throughout the world, primarily in the foodservice, wholesale and independent baking industries. During our ownership period, the Company grew through product line extensions, with the expansion aided by capital investments to modernize the manufacturing process.
Brook & Whittle is a provider of pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels to the non-carbonated beverage, food and personal care industries. RFE recruited an experienced CFO to upgrade the financial function, and then established key business metrics to provide actionable information to the executive team. We worked with management to expand their sales efforts to new customers and markets, opened a new facility focused on high volume production of pressure sensitive labels, and completed one strategic add-on acquisition to significantly expand the company’s shrink sleeve label capabilities.
Cattron is a worldwide provider of remote control systems for a broad range of material handling applications, including overhead cranes, locomotives, ballast cars and mining equipment. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company from its founder. We began our partnership by conducting a consulting project focused on prioritizing growth opportunities for the Company, then completed and integrated three add-on acquisitions. RFE helped Cattron develop a standardized product platform to consolidate disparate product offerings for ease of customization, manufacturing and maintenance.
Commonwealth was a leading provider of business information to the international trade and transportation industries. RFE partnered with management to acquire a portfolio of business directories from a publicly traded media conglomerate, transitioned the Company from a publisher of business directories to a provider of critical business information services, and completed and integrated four key add on acquisitions.
Congruity HR is a Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) providing HR, compliance, payroll, tax administration, employee benefits, and workers’ compensation and safety services to small and medium-sized businesses predominately in the southeastern US. RFE is partnering with the management team to build a national PEO platform with a proven acquisition strategy and track record of organic growth.
Date of Initial Investment: 1/28/21
ConsoliDent is a dental practice management company with operations in Florida and Michigan providing a full range of general dentistry services and specialty dental services in orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, and periodontics. During our ownership period, RFE initially focused on the acquisition of strong dental practices in specific geographic areas, and then later refocused efforts to develop de novo practices within their existing geographic footprint while adding complementary specialist services to their general dentistry offerings.
DelStar is the world’s leading manufacturer of thermoplastic nets, nonwovens, laminates, and extruded components used in filtration, automotive, healthcare, industrial, food, electronics and textile markets. At the onset of our investment, RFE negotiated the acquisition of two companies simultaneously under a tight time deadline to create DelStar. We then successfully integrated the founding companies, expanded capacity, completed an additional add-on acquisition, and helped DelStar successfully enter the Asian market with a start-up manufacturing facility in China.
EnsembleIQ is a premier business intelligence resource for retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, technology vendors, marketing agencies and retail service providers. RFE formed EnsembleIQ through the acquisitions of three distinct entities all serving the same end market with complementary capabilities and focus areas. RFE recruited the former CEO of a successful RFE VI portfolio company in the business media industry to be EnsembleIQ's Executive Chairman. The Executive Chairman and RFE finalized the senior team with a balanced mix of mangers from legacy entities as well as a newly recruited Chief Digital Officer and Chief Human Resource Officer
Date of Initial Investment: 2/16/16
Flow Solutions is a leading value-added distributor of high purity filtration systems and related components to the high tech, biopharmaceutical, industrial, waste water and beverage industries throughout the Western United States. RFE completed and integrated three add-on acquisitions and transitioned leadership of the Company to a new CEO, promoted from within the senior management team, while the former CEO remained a board member.
Friendly Group is a provider of residential HVAC, plumbing, drainage, sewer and electrical services. RFE is working with the management team to build a super-regional home services platform with proven organic growth and acquisition playbook to become a national provider of diversified residential services.
Date of Initial Investment: 8/4/20
Global IFS manufacturers, installs, and distributes raised access flooring and underfloor air distribution systems in the Canada and U.S. markets. RFE partnered with management to acquire Global IFS, then recruited a new CEO to lead the Company along with a new CFO to upgrade financial functions. We assisted the Company with developing an innovative underfloor air distribution product portfolio, and the Company is in the process of driving sales of these products across an expanded U.S. distribution network.
Date of Initial Investment: 5/2/12
Global Point Technology Group combines global access, local expertise, and trusted partnerships providing mechanical, electrical, and custom engineered products. They are committed to offering solutions and innovative high-quality products at competitive prices. Headquartered in LA Vergne, Tennessee, Global Point Technology Group has more than 300 employees across the United States and China.
Date of Initial Investment: 12/21/12
Great Clips is a franchisor of the largest single-brand of discount/walk-in hair care salons in North America. RFE Partnered with the CEO to buyout his partners, then focused the Company on franchise services, as opposed to operating company owned salons. We reacquired the rights to two Master Franchise territories, and the Company grew from 800 salons to more than 2,500 salons during RFE’s ownership period.
Hastings is a global manufacturer of piston rings for internal combustion engines used in a broad range of automotive and industrial applications. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company and established a growth strategy focused on offering a broader product line and expand distribution across the international after market. RFE recruited additional senior executives to implement this growth strategy and to effectively manage the Company’s broader global geographic footprint.
Date of Initial Investment: 5/30/13
Health Watch was the second largest provider of personal emergency response systems and monitoring services in the United States, providing services through home health-care agencies, hospitals, visiting-nurse associations, home-care companies and state and local governments. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company from its senior lender following a bankruptcy. We completed and integrated numerous add-on acquisitions, almost doubling the size of the company and more than doubling the subscriber base.
iMedX provides web-based software products and related medical transcription services to mid-size hospitals, physician practices and clinics throughout the U.S. using proprietary software. RFE recruited a new CEO with significant prior industry experience to lead the company, along with several key senior executives to strengthen the management team. Together with building a world-class management team, RFE led 20 highly strategic add-on acquisitions to take full advantage of the market opportunity and helped iMedX enhance their product offering to meet current needs.
JSI designs and manufactures high-quality merchandising displays for the supermarket industry focused on the store perimeter. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company and led the effort to further penetrate the current customer base while broadening the Company’s product line and adding new retail channels. With RFE’s help, JSI expanded its distribution network into the western half of the U.S., acquired four manufacturing facilities including two in the southeast, one in the western U.S., one in Canada, and opened a significantly larger refrigerated products manufacturing facility.
Kenan is the largest independent provider of transportation and logistics services to the petroleum industry. During our ownership period, Keenan acquired and integrated five companies (one which more than doubled the size of the Company) to create a nationwide network of transportation and logistics services. RFE assisted in recruiting several key executives to strengthen the management team, helped the Company develop a world class safety program, and supported the initial implementation of a centralized dispatch system.
LaunchPad Home Group’s mission is to create lifelong relationships by simplifying home ownership at every stage of the homeowner journey, from inspections to remodeling to day-to-day safekeeping and maintenance. RFE and the LaunchPad team are partnering with like-minded business owners to build a national platform of regional home services brands, initially focused on the home inspection as the customer acquisition engine.
Date of Initial Investment: 5/26/22
McKenzie is a leading provider of forms and supplies to taxidermists used to mount trophies harvested by hunters and fishermen. RFE helped to complete and integrate six strategic acquisitions (including expansion into the fish reproduction market); expanded the Company’s geographic presence through the opening of a new distribution warehouse and the detailed planning of another; streamlined the business by divesting an underperforming ancillary product line; and developed a commemoratives product line to offer as a lower priced alternative to taxidermy products.
Metalico is a leading provider of fabricated lead products and operator of a large network of scrap metal processing facilities. During RFE’s ownership period, Metalico completed and integrated ten strategic acquisitions, establishing a strong network of scrap metal processors in contiguous markets and creating the largest non-battery, lead product producer and became a publicly traded company.
Nudo is a manufacturer of custom laminated panels and accessories used in agriculture, telecom, signage, decking, industrial furniture and architectural applications. RFE recruited a new CEO to lead Company upon acquisition, and then recruited several additional senior executives to strengthen the Company’s management team. We improved manufacturing efficiencies, achieved a significant reduction of excess working capital, expanded sales and marketing capabilities including establishing a significant new distribution channel and a larger, more geographically dispersed direct sales force. RFE also helped Nudo complete five add-on acquisitions to expand product lines and enter additional distribution channels.
OK is a leading manufacturer of tools for the electronics assembly work bench, including soldering, rework and fume extraction systems. During RFE’s ownership period, OK completed two strategic acquisitions to expand the Company’s product line of hand tools for the rework of electronic products, then expanded market share and improved margins.
PCX manufactures complex dynamic and structural hard alloy components and assemblies for military and commercial aircraft. RFE acquired this division from publicly traded SPX (NYSE:SPXC) and transitioned it to a standalone entity. We partnered with a new CEO to lead the Company upon acquisition and recruited an experienced CFO to upgrade the Company’s financial function. Since the acquisition, RFE has helped PCX build a commercial sales team to diversify business and further penetrate their current customer base with new product initiatives. We have completed one strategic add-on acquisition and are actively considering others.
Date of Initial Investment: 4/10/14
Pro Active provides outpatient rehabilitation services. During our ownership, RFE completed numerous add on acquisitions that enhanced the Company’s geographic coverage in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.
PureRED designs, produces and implements consumer marketing programs and content for large national retailers. The Company delivers strategy, creative, design, layout, data management and photography across digital, social, ecommerce, paper and in-store physical media systems. RFE partnered with management to purchase the Company from the ESOP owner. Since our acquisition, we have helped PureRED expand their digital agency capabilities into new shopper marketing service offerings and broaden the customer base with new national retailer accounts. RFE also helped PureRED complete one strategic add-on acquisition.
Date of Initial Investment: 10/14/11
ResCare (originally VOCA Corporation) is one of the largest providers of home care to the elderly and people with disabilities, offering residential and support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our initial investment enabled the acquisition of a significant provider in Texas. We negotiated the merger with ResCare, the largest publicly held provider of services to people with disabilities, and then worked with ResCare to provide liquidity to the original founders and to expand service offerings.
Scandura was a leading producer of heavyweight conveyor belts in North America. RFE partnered with management to acquire this division from its UK-based parent company. During our ownership, RFE helped expand the Company’s market share and improve margins.
Seed Holdings is the leading merchandiser of consumer vegetable and flower seed packets, seed starting kits (and other seed starting products), as well as lawn seed, exclusively through the retail channel in North America. During our ownership, RFE initially partnered with the founder, CEO and majority shareholder of the third largest seed packet merchandiser in North America. We helped broaden the Company’s product line to include additional related products such as species-specific plant food, rooting enzymes, soil test kits, etc. We subsequently acquired the largest seed packet merchandiser in North America, and actively integrated these highly complementary businesses to provide customers the broadest product line of leading seed related brand names and top quality service across North America.
SEG is a sales and marketing execution firm providing services that drive sales growth. Our proven methodology, technology, and systematic approach allow us to identify the most important areas for immediate revenue growth. We specialize in key industries and help our clients exceed their sales goals.
Date of Initial Investment: 7/11/22
ShelterLogic is a global manufacturer and marketer of fabric-covered, steel frame shelters and canopies for diverse consumer and commercial applications, including sheds, garages, greenhouses and pop-up canopies. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company, then recruited an experienced CFO to upgrade the Company’s financial function. RFE has led ongoing growth initiatives, including significantly expanded China manufacturing capacity; the establishment of distribution facilities in the Western U.S, Canada and Europe; expanded internet and catalog placements; and expanded product placements in the southern U.S. and international markets. We also helped ShelterLogic complete a highly strategic add-on acquisition to expand its product line.
Squan is an infrastructure services provider for wireless carriers, tower companies, neutral host providers, commercial landlords, government entities and other organizations seeking increased coverage and capacity. RFE partnered with management to acquire the company, then recruited a new CEO upon acquisition. Since acquiring Squan, we have recruited several additional senior executives to manage accelerated growth and to broaden the Company’s sales and marketing team. RFE helped Squan complete two add-on acquisitions and establish standardized business processes, and we are actively considering additional acquisition opportunities to further broaden Squan’s services and geographic coverage.
Date of Initial Investment: 10/10/14
Sun Healthcare (originally Peak Medical Corporation) is an operator of inpatient healthcare facilities such as skilled nursing facilities, independent and assisted living residences and a small hospice operation. RFE partnered with management to acquire several non-core nursing home properties from their former employer, then recruited several key executives to strengthen the management team as the Company acquired additional properties. During our ownership, RFE helped to complete and integrate twelve strategic acquisitions, then negotiated a merger with Sun Healthcare Group to create one of the largest, publicly held, long term care companies.
ThreeBridge, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is focused on serving the growing market opportunity between global strategic consulting firms and local staffing companies. The ThreeBridge model attractively blends thought leadership and execution expertise to deliver solutions and resources to clients in a highly flexible manner. By making significant investments in training and mentoring programs (Boom Lab) and practices that support its consultants’ career objectives, interest, and skills, the Company has become the “employer of choice” for consultants within its core markets.
Date of Initial Investment: 12/4/17
Based in the Tampa-bay region of Florida, Veransa specializes in transforming urban wood and yard waste into valuable commodities on an industrial scale. Veransa vertically integrates green waste collection centers with commodities manufacturing facilities to achieve highest-value use, waste-to-organic commodities, production. Veransa aggregates green waste and transforms it, using electrically powered processing equipment, into useful products on an industrial scale, including soil-regenerating, OMRI Listed®, organic compost and blended soils, that are free of biosolids or manure. It also processes wood waste into the feedstock for mulch and renewable energy.
Date of Initial Investment: 7/1/21
WIS is a supplier of inventory counting services worldwide offering global coverage with operations in eight countries across four continents conducting more than 200,000 physical inventory counts every year. During our ownership, RFE helped recruit several key executives to strengthen the management team and assisted in a comprehensive acquisition search to consolidate the market and expand into ancillary service offerings.
Wind River provides complete end-to-end non-hazardous liquid waste management solutions for a diverse set of commercial and residential customers specializing in services for wastewater systems including septic systems, interior and exterior grease traps, cesspools, packaging plants and wastewater treatment plants. RFE partnered with management to acquire the Company, then helped to recruit additional senior executives to manage accelerated growth together with an expanded sales team to help drive that growth. We are leveraging the Company’s leadership position in the Northeastern U.S. by actively acquiring smaller companies providing similar services both within current markets and expanding into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. Since our acquisition, we have completed ten strategic add-on acquisitions to significantly expand Wind River’s geographic presence and broaden its services offerings.
ZRG Partners is a global retained executive search company successfully filling a void in the middle part of the market with a unique, scalable, and data-driven approach. RFE partnered with Management to build ZRG into a global diversified human capital company with best of breed practice leadership in all major global markets, verticals, and functional areas with a suite of ancillary human capital offerings to cross-sell to clients worldwide.
Date of Initial Investment: 12/5/18