Investment Criteria

Mason Wells follows a consistent, disciplined strategy for investments, which we have refined over our extensive history. Our experience has taught us the utmost respect for the discretion and confidentiality required in private equity investing.

We seek to be the lead equity investor with control positions in companies that meet the following criteria:

Financial Characteristics

$25 to $300 million in total revenues
Profitable, with minimum EBITDA of $5 million

Industry Sectors

Consumer Packaged Goods
Engineered Products & Services
Outsourced Business Services
Packaging Materials & Converting

Geographic Focus

Preferably headquartered in the Midwestern United States

Competitive Advantages

Strong market positions driven by low cost structure, strong distribution network, proprietary processes, product design and/or customer relationships
Limited customer concentration
Significant barriers to market entry

Growth Potential

Commitment to new customers, new products, new markets and potential strategic acquisitions

Opportunities for Operating Improvements

Potential to increase profitability by improving functional areas such as manufacturing operations, information technology, sales and marketing, balance sheet management, logistics and purchasing

Strong Management

Self-starting, motivated teams that have proven ability to thrive in a performance-based culture and create shareholder value

Transaction TypES

Management buyout of a closely-held/family-owned business

Backing members of management in buying ownership from senior family members or from outside shareholders of a closely-held business. By working with us in a succession transaction, active managers and/or certain family members continue to operate the business while gaining a strong financial partner to assist with capital needs and issues of strategic importance. In addition, the shareholders who sell achieve liquidity to meet their estate planning and net worth diversification objectives.

Management buyout of a non-core division

Helping managers acquire non-core divisions of parent companies. Corporations selling divisions require that a buyer has both ample funding and a track record of closing transactions quickly and efficiently. As a well-funded, experienced partner with a strong track record of closing transactions, Mason Wells adds financial credibility to managers in the eyes of corporate parents as they seek to acquire the division they run.

Owner recapitalization

Assisting an owner of a privately held company who wishes to sell a portion of his/her company for liquidity or estate planning purposes, while retaining significant equity ownership to participate in the company's growth. Without sacrificing all operating control of the company, the owner can achieve personal liquidity and gain a strong financial partner to assist with capital needs and issues of strategic importance.

Management buyout of a closely-held/family-owned business

Management buyout of a non-core division

Helping managers acquire non core divisions of parent companies. Corporations selling divisions require that a buyer has both ample funding and a track record of closing transactions quickly and efficiently. As a well-funded, experienced partner with a strong track record, Mason Wells adds financial credibility to managers in the eyes of corporate parents as they seek to acquire the division they run

Owner recapitalization

For business owners

We seek to support existing senior management teams who would like to continue to manage their business and be rewarded through equity ownership.

For Business Owners

For intermediaries

We work closely with a number of intermediaries and welcome their investment opportunities. Our partnership helps them offer their clients peace of mind.

For intermediaries

Mason Wells' Summary Overview

Summary Overview

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