The following is a summary of current portfolio companies of The Anderson Group as well as the Anderson Partner in charge of the investment.
* Denotes that the company is actively seeking add-on acquisitions
Cole Kepro International | Las Vegas, NV
Operating from a Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters, Cole Kepro International is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing turnkey cabinets, such as video and slot machines, for the electronic gaming industry. Cole Kepro International leverages its reputation for product quality and innovative concepts & designs to meet global demand for premium gaming cabinets.
www.colekepro.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Hastings Manufacturing, LLC* | Hastings, MI
Hastings Manufacturing Company is the nation’s best known manufacturer of piston rings. Its roots go back to 1915 when it was founded in the western Michigan town of Hastings. The Company manufactures piston rings for virtually all automotive engines, including those produced in the early 1900s. Hastings is also the developer of the well known PowerFlex design of piston ring which is the defacto industry standard today and has made Hastings one of the leading suppliers to the automotive aftermarket.
www.hastingsmfg.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Latina Boulevard, LLC | Tonawanda, NY
Latina Boulevard is a specialty food distributor operating from two complementary divisions that deliver fresh produce, chicken wings, specialty meats, premium cheese products, tomato products, flour and related pizza ingredients to retail, independent pizzeria and casual dining markets in Western New York. Since 1954, the company has provided customers with superior quality and customer service.
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Oberfield’s, LLC | Columbus, OH
Oberfield’s is a manufacturer of concrete block and other masonry and landscape products in Ohio and surrounding states. Leveraging its long history of dedicated customer service and high quality products, Oberfield’s is the dominant block manufacturer in northwestern and central Ohio.
www.oberfields.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Barry Shapiro
TecArt, Inc.* | Farmington Hills, MI
TecArt is a premier nationwide manufacturer and distributor of point-of-purchase and back-lit signs. In business since 1989, TecArt’s mission is to help businesses of all types and sizes throughout the country deliver their message clearly and effectively to their customers. The Company fulfills this commitment by building to its customers’ exact specifications. By offering a wide range of services in a cost-effective manner, TecArt has become the nationwide leading manufacturer of signage applications for the booming wireless telecommunications industry as well as many other major markets. TecArt products provide a high-quality, low-cost alternative to neon signage.
www.tecartinc.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Marc Schechter
LaBella Sausage, LLC* | Brooksville, FL
La Bella Sausage, LLC, is Florida’s premier manufacturer of fresh and fresh-frozen private-label sausage products. Founded in 1992 by George Kurppe, La Bella has grown into an integrated sausage processing and distribution company that is the dominant player in the Florida fresh and frozen sausage market.
The Anderson Group Partner: Tom Gaffney
Michigan Wheel Marine* | Grand Rapids, MI
Founded in 1903, Michigan Wheel is an industry leader in the design and production of inboard and outboard marine propellers. The company’s high-quality, innovative products are marketed under both OEM and aftermarket brands such as Michigan Propellers, Federal Propellers, Gold Line, Hytorq, Apollo, Ballistic, Rapture, Vortex and others.
www.miwheel.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Perfect Fit Industries, Inc. | Charlotte, NC
Perfect Fit is a leading supplier of sleep pillows, mattress pads, electric mattress pads and warming blankets. The Company’s products are sold under an impressive stable of well known proprietary, licensed and retail-exclusive brands primarily to mass merchants, department stores and specialty retailers. Perfect Fit also produces a unique craft yarn which is sold through mass merchants and craft specialty retailers.
www.perfectfitindustries.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Marc Schechter
Quality Logging* | Midland, TX
Quality is a leading supplier of mud logging services, a form of energy exploration, to the oil and gas industry. Founded in 1980, Quality manages one of the most technologically advanced and well-maintained fleets of logging trailers. Each of Quality’s trailers employ a proprietary software and instrumentation platform, which enables the company to deliver the most timely, accurate and reliable data in the mud logging industry.
www.qualitylogging.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Thayer Power and Communication Line Construction Co. Inc.* | Fairview, PA
Thayer is a leading provider of utility line and related engineering, wiring and construction services, primarily serving the power and communication industries. The Company has been in operation for 45 years and has established a reputation for reliable, quality service while selling through long term customer relationships.
www.thayerpc.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Cory Gaffney
Alliance Food Equipment Holdings, LLC* | Northvale, NJ
Alliance, operating under the name WCB Ice Cream, is the world’s leading producer of highly engineered and automated ice cream making equipment. With US manufacturing facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and foreign operations in Denmark and Italy, WCB is a global entity with the capability and knowledge to supply an international customer base. The Company sells freezers, ingredient feeders, extrusion, molding, and filling systems, and high speed wrapping and packaging systems, through its world wide sales force.
www.wcbicecream.com
The Anderson Group Partner: Tom Gaffney
Industries that we have been involved in through ownership of a portfolio company:
- Formalwear
- Textiles
- Branded consumer products
- Outdoor furniture and shelters
- Sporting goods and equipment
- Residential, commercial and recreational vehicle building products
- Automotive components and products
- Packaging
- Printing and fulfillment
- Rubber industrial products
- Plastic industrial products
- Steel industrial products
- Glass industrial products
- Stamping
- Plastic injection molding
- Audio and visual media products
- Lawn and garden product distribution
Select Former Portfolio Companies
The following is a list of certain select portfolio companies that The Anderson Group has previously owned. While this list is not exhaustive, the following examples are representative of Anderson’s approach to private equity investing.
Advance Stamping, Inc. | Detroit, MI
A long time manufacturer of small precision stampings using transfer press technology. Products included lipstick cases, bullet shells, and the original “Zippo” cigarette lighter case. Advance Stamping was an outstanding asset purchase but had shrinking revenues and profits. The third generation owners were the primary managers. Anderson believed it could reverse the downward slide by augmenting management and a renewed focus on marketing, both of which were accomplished. Eventually, the business was sold to a synergistic buyer.
Ashland Products, Inc. | Lowell, IN
A leading supplier of injection molded components and assemblies to the fenestration industry. GE Capital owned Ashland as a result of a default in the credit agreement between it and the company. In spite of the company’s recognized product line it had been operating at a loss. After acquiring the business, the company was moved to a new facility and the product line was enhanced. Within two years there was a substantial turnaround. The company was sold to Newell Rubbermaid.
ATCO Products, Inc. | Dallas, TX
A producer of automotive aftermarket air-conditioning parts. ATCO was an under performing company making fittings for the automotive aftermarket. The company had a good product line and was well accepted in its industry. The initial plan was to focus on expanding its product line, especially for the original equipment heavy-duty truck market. A new facility in Texas was added. The plan worked well and the company was sold to a financial buyer.
Automotive Plastic Technologies, Inc. | Sterling Heights, MI
A leading plastic injection molder of decorative interior and exterior components for the automotive industry. APT specialized in large, painted and assembled parts. The company had experienced a decline in sales and was losing money. Operations were consolidated from five to three plants. New financing was secured through GE Capital. APT then successfully launched two major programs for General Motors and Chrysler. The plan was highly successful resulting in a divesture to a synergistic buyer.
Digital Excellence, Inc. | St. Paul, MN
Digital Excellence, Inc. is one of the leading producers of top-quality CD , DVD video and cassette products serving the text book publishing industry. Founded nearly fifty years ago, Digital Excellence can provide selected services or produce an entire media project, from concept to order fulfillment. The company’s many services include: authoring and mastering, off set printing, unique packaging solutions and customer order fulfillment. Digital Excellence was sold to a strategic buyer.
Equality Specialties, Inc | New York, NY
A manufacturer and distributor of decorative packaging materials, Equality was formerly owned by a large corporate parent that did not provide leadership or strategic direction. Anderson employed performance incentives to stimulate motivation and worked with management to increase the company’s offshore production capacity and expand into the European market via a complementary acquisition. As a result, Equality’s revenue and profitability increased substantially and the company was sold to a financial buyer.
Kux Graphic Systems | Canton, MI
Kux Graphic Systems is the nations best recognized producer of exterior building facia, petroleum industry canopy and exterior graphics, and interior c-store graphics. Kux provides original engineering and design services, complete manufacturing, and installation services. Kux services many well known U.S. companies, including CITCO, Sears and Chrysler among others. Anderson turned the company around by initiating a focused strategy and marketing plan that resulted in becoming the market leader in the petroleum industry. Shareholders bought out Anderson’s share through a refinance of the rapidly growing and profitable business.
Theodore Bargman Company | Albion, IN
The nations leading producer of interior and exterior lighting for recreational vehicles. The company’s founder and owner had died nearly 20 years earlier leaving the company to a charitable foundation. Sales were about $5 million and steady for several years with marginal profits. Anderson liked the company’s proprietary product line and its strong customer relations. Its strategy was to improve operations and acquire other niche RV product manufacturers. Anderson, made three small but strategic acquisitions, and moved manufacturing to a low cost northern Indiana facility. Sales grew to $12 million. The company was sold to the Echlin Corporation.
Wetsel, Inc. | Harrisonburg, VA
One of the nation’s leading distributors of lawn and garden supplies. Wetsel was formerly owned by a large corporate parent and suffered numerous operational and strategic inefficiencies. Upon acquiring the Company, Anderson executed a turnaround strategy that involved improving profitability and establishing initiatives to further grow the business. As a result of these efforts, Wetsel generated consistent profitability which, supported by a strong balance sheet, yielded considerable cash distributions to shareholders. After eight years of ownership by Anderson, Wetsel was sold to a strategic acquirer.
Yale Rubber Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Sandusky, MI
A leading supplier of rubber, rubber bonded to metal, and various rubber assemblies to the OEM automotive industry. When acquired, Yale could be characterized as a “shoot and ship” company, making high volume rubber parts with little value added work. They owned a second facility in Dalton, GA. The company’s engineering and quality capabilities were expanded, thus positioning the company to capture significant future business. Further, the Dalton, GA operation was converted to a minority supplier. In the third year of operation, Yale merged with South Haven. Sales and profits continued to grow. Management eventually bought Anderson’s share.
Zachova Industries, Inc. | Roseville, MI
A designer and manufacturer of large metal stamping tools and dies. Anderson partnered with one of the former shareholders to expand manufacturing capabilities and add sales staff to promote growth. Zachova was extraordinarily profitable from the day of acquisition, and eventually sold to managers.