Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pierce Engineers, Inc. (“PE”) is a niche professional services firm providing quality structural engineering and related services to a nationwide client base. With offices in both Milwaukee and Madison, Pierce has grown to become one of the region’s premier, independent structural engineering organizations serving a variety of architectural firms, professional property developers, and building owners. Led by a seasoned leadership team comprised of licensed engineers and other professional staff, Pierce Engineers has earned continued industry praise over its history spanning more than 25 years. As the Company embarks on its next phase of growth, Pierce sought to implement a plan allowing for a recapitalization of ownership, while also maintaining the firm’s unique culture and independent business structure. PPC was engaged by Pierce Engineers to help evaluate a variety of options that would address the growth goals of the Company, its leadership team, and its ownership group. As part of this engagement, PPC helped the shareholder group and leadership team agree to a transaction structure and then led the evaluation of various financing alternatives to satisfy a variety of objectives. Through a new financing structure arranged by PPC with Associated Bank, a successful shareholder recapitalization transaction was completed during May of 2018.

Titan, Inc. is a provider of custom-engineered functional test stands for the fluid power, hydraulic component, and off highway vehicle markets including construction, agriculture, and forestry equipment.  Founded in 1966 and based in southeastern Wisconsin, the Company has evolved into a premier manufacturer of test stand solutions for complex applications requiring precise testing and measurement and data acquisition, analysis, and management.

Promontory Point Capital (“PPC”) was introduced to the owners of Titan to advise on ownership liquidity & transition objectives.  The business had been previously represented by another advisor; however, transaction negotiations had stalled and Titan’s owners sought out a firm that could provide a fresh perspective on the best strategic and financial audience for the business.  PPC began approaching a targeted list of potential strategic and financial parties during June of 2017 and secured several competing bid letters by the end of July 2017.  During September of 2017, a letter of intent was signed by Titan with Michigan-based Burke Porter Group (“BPG”).

As a global leader in the design and manufacturer of intelligent machines, PPC identified that the Burke Porter Group would be the best strategic fit for Titan, Inc.  In addition to being a solid strategic fit, BPG provided the best financial outcome for Titan’s owners as well as a strong partner for Titan’s management team & employees.  The sale of Titan, Inc. to Burke Porter Group was completed by PPC in January of 2018.  Read the press release.

Headquartered in suburban Milwaukee, GenAlpha Technologies offers a comprehensive suite of software and services with a complete aftermarket solution for original equipment manufacturers.  The Company’s GenSuite SAAS product provides its customers with a unique platform including eCommerce, data conversion, eCatalogs with 2D and 3D interactive technology, and data analytics.  When integrated with an OEM’s existing ERP system such as Oracle, J.D. Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, amongst others, the GenSuite platform is designed to automate the business process and enable high margin aftermarket parts sales growth for OEM’s.

Earlier in 2017 GenAlpha was introduced to PPC by the Company’s law firm given the shareholders’ desire to explore ownership liquidity options.  In addition to achieving shareholder liquidity goals, the owners of the business wished to secure a partner for GenAlpha’s management team to support the Company’s continued growth and product development. PPC’s engagement strategy focused on identifying interested strategic and financial parties with an established track record of supporting technology-driven businesses similar to GenAlpha.  Through a transaction arranged by PPC involving Shore Points Capital and Greyrock Capital Group, GenAlpha’s shareholders and leadership team achieved their stated objectives.  The closing of this transaction was announced in November of 2017.  Read the press release.

Founded in 1994, Alternative Energy Systems Consulting (AESC) provides energy program design and implementation, measurement and verification, and corporate sustainability services to utilities, regulators, and private enterprise throughout the United States. AESC’s engineering-focused capabilities include designing energy efficiency incentive programs, performing client technology assessments, offering proprietary software solutions, and applying smart grid technology to both transmission and distribution markets.

AESC was introduced to Promontory Point Capital as the Company’s shareholders desired to assess their strategic and financial options given the strong M&A market. Given PPC’s extensive experience with privately-owned companies, along with the firm’s successful advisory and transactional experience with similar niche business services enterprises, AESC retained PPC as its financial advisor. The first phase of the engagement involved the identification of global, national, and regional parties that would strategically benefit from AESC’s engineering talent, customer relationships, and the Company’s position at the intersection of public and private energy efficiency interests. In total, PPC identified over 75 strategic and financial candidates to approach relative to a potential transaction involving the business of AESC.

After confidentially soliciting strategic interest from this national and international group of potential buyers, AESC signed a formal letter of intent with Italy-based Energie Valsabbia Spa (EVA). The transaction ultimately achieved AESC’s primary objectives of gaining liquidity for founding shareholders along with securing an international growth-minded strategic partner for the business. Read the press release.

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.