Graham Partners Goes North of the Border

Graham Partners has acquired Mitten Inc., a leading Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of vinyl siding, vinyl siding accessories, and other exterior building products. Mitten serves the repair & remodel and new housing segments of the Canadian, U.S., and international construction markets.

Graham Partners has a long track record of successfully investing in and growing building products companies. In Mitten, Graham saw the opportunity to acquire a company with a solid base business and growth potential via further expansion of its product offering through its existing distribution network and expansion into new markets. The majority of Mitten’s sales are within Canada, a market that has exhibited greater stability than the U.S. market. Mitten is also well positioned to benefit from improving conditions in the U.S. and Canadian housing markets.

Mitten is the sixth platform investment for Graham Partners over the past ten months, following acquisitions in the energy, transportation, medical device, and building products industries. Graham Partners specializes in buyouts of middle market manufacturing companies; the firm’s strategy is to acquire industrial and manufacturing-related businesses that are benefiting from product or technology substitution trends and raw materials conversions in their industries, where Graham can utilize its extensive operating resources and industrial network to add value.

Gary Ball, President of Mitten Inc., said, “As a family owned and operated business, we wanted a complementary partner with expertise in the building products industry. Graham Partners was the perfect choice to take Mitten to the next level.”

“Mitten is a world class manufacturer and a leading player in the Canadian siding market,” said Joe May, Managing Principal at Graham Partners. “The Company’s excellent reputation and established distribution network provide a strong platform upon which to expand.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Graham Partners (www.grahampartners.net): Graham Partners is a leading, lower middle market private equity firm based in suburban Philadelphia with over $1.5 billion under management. Graham Partners is sponsored by the privately held Graham Group of York, Pennsylvania, an industrial and investment concern with global interests in plastics, packaging, machinery, building products, and outsource manufacturing. Graham Partners seeks to acquire industrial and manufacturing-related companies with revenues between $30 million and $500 million that participate in niches where Graham can leverage its unique combination of operating resources and financial expertise to drive value creation.

About Mitten Inc. (www.mittenvinyl.com): Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Brantford, Ontario, Mitten manufactures and distributes vinyl siding and other building product accessories. Mitten’s products are sold throughout North America and select international markets including Australia, Russia, and Ukraine. In Canada, Mitten distributes its own manufactured vinyl siding as well as complementary third party products through 18 distribution centers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joe May (jmay@grahampartners.net)
Adam Piatkowski (apiatkowski@grahampartners.net)
Christina Morin (cmorin@grahampartners.net)
Tel: (610) 408-0500 / Fax: (610) 408-0600
www.grahampartners.net