In 2018, Graham’s ITP Already Yields Three

Graham Partners, a private investment firm targeting industrial technology and advanced manufacturing companies, is pleased to announce year-to-date it acquired three platform companies, completed three add-on acquisitions, and exited one business. All three platform acquisitions were sourced out of the company’s targeted, research-based Investment Theme Program, with each benefiting from a strong underlying conversion trend.

The first platform to close was Myers Emergency Power Systems, (“Myers EPS”), a leading designer and manufacturer of emergency lighting power solutions. Myers EPS is an ancillary beneficiary of the growth in LED lighting, but with more attractive competitive dynamics and technological differentiation. The company’s growth is fueled by the transition towards power inverters from individual battery backup fixtures.

Subsequently, Graham Partners invested in Medbio, LLC (“Medbio”), an outsource manufacturer offering innovative design and engineering, manufacturing, assembly and packaging solutions, primarily serving the medical and biotechnology industries. Medbio benefits from a number of strong underlying growth drivers in the healthcare space, including conversions toward medical device outsourcing, disposables, plastics, and micro-molded components.

Most recently, Graham partnered with existing management to acquire Advanced Barrier Extrusions, LLC (“ABX”), a leading flexible packaging manufacturer of high barrier forming web films primarily for the North American protein, cheese, and specialty food end markets. ABX is the beneficiary of several consumer megatrends, including a shift in preference toward clean labels, increased spending on fresh foods, heightened focus on food safety, and a greater number of SKUs and brands in the core food categories ABX serves.

In addition to platform acquisitions, Graham has been active in completing synergistic add-ons to expand selected platform companies’ reach and capabilities. In March, BrightPet Nutrition Group, LLC acquired substantially all of the assets of Phoebe Products, LLC, a family-owned manufacturer of premium and super-premium pet treats. In August, Graham completed its third investment in the thermoformed packaging space, Nuconic Packaging, LLC. This add-on, in combination with previous investments Tray-Pak Corporation and EasyPak, LLC, supports Graham Partners’ strategy to build a nationwide, top tier, mid-sized packaging provider. Furthermore, prior to exiting Comar Holding Company, LLC in June, the company acquired West Bend Plastics, providing additional scale and synergies to the business.

Steven Graham, Senior Managing Principal at Graham Partners, states, “Our Investment Theme Program has yielded incredible results with three platform acquisitions completed in under two months. We hope to continue this momentum as we round out 2018 and head into 2019.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christina Morin (cmorin@grahampartners.net)