Bentley World Packaging, Ltd. (“BWP”) provides export and specialty packing services to an enviable list of blue chip clients within the defense, energy, heavy duty equipment & machinery, manufacturing, mining, and transportation sectors. Established in 1942, this Milwaukee-based, family-held business has grown over the years both organically, through the addition of value-added services, and externally, via strategic acquisitions in Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

During the last few years, BWP began executing upon a strategy to increase its focus on key customers and to expand the Company’s value-added capabilities in parts distribution as well as in kitting & packaging services for the on- & off-road equipment, industrial, and military markets. Additionally, BWP’s in-house packaging test lab along with its SnapCrate product line – a collapsible, reusable, cost effective crating system – are among the Company’s other value-added offerings experiencing rapid growth.

The Company engaged Promontory Point Capital (“PPC”) to evaluate strategic alternatives for the business, including a review of key functional areas, geographic markets of focus, and other longer-term strategic initiatives. Given an increased focus on value-added services, many of which are delivered from BWP’s Milwaukee and Baltimore locations, PPC explored, and advised on, the sale of the Company’s Ohio and Pennsylvania operations. During June of 2017, BWP agreed to divest of its Ohio and Pennsylvania operations to Indiana-based Deufol Sunman, a division of Germany-based Deufol SE. Read the press release.

MasterGraphics, Inc. (“MGI”) provides technology-enabling solutions to a variety of architectural firms, engineering businesses, product designers, and manufacturers throughout the Upper Midwest.  Supportive of the Company’s expertise in technology, MGI is a well-respected Autodesk® Platinum Partner, the software company best known for AutoCAD and a broad range of other software products used in various design and engineering markets.  With headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin and offices in Milwaukee, Appleton, Chicago, and Minneapolis, MGI has evolved over its 65 year history as a preferred technology partner providing hardware, software, training, and services to a growing client base.

Over the past few years, MGI’s business segments have become increasingly specialized with its manufacturing clients seeking additional capabilities involving engineering technologies and prototyping solutions.  In an effort to refocus MGI’s resources on its legacy architectural, engineering, and design clientele, the Company embarked on a strategic initiative involving MGI’s manufacturing-focused Autodesk® and DataWorks MGI business segment.  Through a transaction involving St. Louis-based D3 Technologies, a well-respected organization focused on Autodesk® solutions and related services for the manufacturing sector, PPC facilitated MGI’s divestiture of its manufacturing technology solutions business.  The closing of this strategic transaction was announced in May of 2017.  Read the press release.

Founded in 1979, Interior Systems, Inc. (“ISI”) is a privately-owned, niche provider of design, project management, manufacturing, and installation services to the restaurant, education, hospitality, and other selected retail, commercial, and institutional markets.  Industry leaders such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Applebee’s, Kohler, Ferguson, Target, and many others rely on ISI’s complete turnkey offering to create unique interiors that differentiate their commercial or retail position to the marketplace.  Over the Company’s 35+ year history, ISI has delivered on its “Think. Create. Build.” tagline through the management of interior design projects around the globe for its clients.

Several years ago, Promontory Point Capital (“PPC”) was introduced to the owners of ISI to advise on the founder’s longer-term objectives involving an ownership transition.  With an industry-leading position built through creative professionals, strong customer and channel relationships, and an overall focus on excellence, a critical aspect of PPC’s engagement involved the identification of potential strategic partners that would have a true appreciation for ISI’s core values.

After researching ISI’s commercial and institutional markets and identifying the key players growing within these sectors, PPC approached Chicago-based Elkay Manufacturing Co. (“Elkay”).  While most known for its extensive line of stainless steel sinks and drinking fountains, American-owned Elkay has a growing presence in many of ISI’s traditional restaurant, retail, and other commercial markets.  After several meetings, the two businesses realized that they shared a similar set of core values and that a number of strategic benefits would be achieved through a combined effort.  Following preliminary discussions among the parties resulting in a signed Letter of Intent, Elkay closed on its acquisition of Interior Systems, Inc. during January of 2017. Read the Press Release

Since commencing operations in 1965, Vendura Industries has grown as a specialized designer and manufacturer of custom solid surface countertops and related products used in healthcare facilities and various other commercial markets.  The Company’s propriety solid surface product line is composed of materials used in a variety of applications ideally suited for shower bases, shower walls, vanity tops, countertops, workstations, transaction countertops, and wall coverings, amongst others.  Vendura’s product line is available in over 70 rich tones and colors and the Company offers custom color creation and matching services.

Promontory Point Capital was introduced to the President of Vendura Industries by his accounting firm given the business owner’s goals to transition away from the business.  PPC was engaged during May of 2016 to design and execute an ownership transition plan consistent with the owner’s objectives which included keeping Vendura as an independent, Madison-Wisconsin based employer.  After a full evaluation of various options, a transaction was consummated with the private capital firm of Stuck Investments during October of 2016. The relatively rapid transaction timeframe (of less than 6 months from the beginning of PPC’s engagement through the transaction closing date) reinforces the success of Promontory Point Capital’s results driven approach for achieving client objectives.

Steele Solutions, Inc. (“SSI”) is a preferred designer and manufacturer of engineered steel structures, including mezzanines, work and equipment platforms, towers, catwalks, and crossovers for material handling, storage, conveyor, equipment and machinery support, and other industrial and commercial uses. Formed in 1996 by three longtime industry experts, SSI has grown considerably over the past two decades gaining clients in all 50 states and around the globe. The Company services a growing list of blue chip clients from its manufacturing, design, and office facilities located in the greater metropolitan Milwaukee area.

Promontory Point Capital was introduced to the ownership group of Steele Solutions by the Company’s legal counsel. After several years of exponential growth, the Company’s senior leadership desired to explore strategic options that would address both ownership objectives while supporting the long-term success of the business. PPC’s engagement encompassed a confidential, targeted marketing process involving strategic parties and financial firms while SSI management continued to grow their business at a record pace. In May of 2016, PPC’s engagement with Steele Solutions culminated in the formation of a financial partnership between SSI and Chicago-based Merit Capital Partners.

Since 1947, Pieper Electric, Inc. has been a leading Midwest electrical contractor providing high-quality, technically advanced building, equipment, and electrical construction services.   Promontory Point Capital was engaged by Pieper to explore growth and acquisition alternatives for the Company’s Automation and Controls Group which incorporates application development, design, programming, control panel fabrication, quality assurance, and customer training into a complete client solution for a variety of industries including waste and water treatment, mining, heavy industry manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, correctional institutions, and data acquisition.

PPC advised Pieper with the development of a specific investment thesis focused on long-term growth that led to the strategic acquisition of an automation and controls business.  After establishing the target acquisition criteria, PPC designed an approach to identify acquisition candidates aligned with Pieper’s strategic objectives which ultimately resulted in the Company acquiring HiTech Enterprises of Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The acquisition of HiTech achieved a variety of objectives for Pieper including the addition of new capabilities and services, customers and industry segments, and engineering talent.

In addition to the investment thesis development and search activities, PPC directed the entire acquisition process, including the negotiation of economic terms and conditions of the transaction as well as management of all due diligence activities, which culminated in the closing of the transaction in June of 2016.