Investment Theses

Backable executives spearheading actionable investment concepts

Notch speaks with thousands of successful executives each year; in every conversation, we assess whether the executive has an interest or aptitude for identifying their own investment thesis. For those that do, Notch works alongside them to identify actionable targets and outline a value-creation strategy that draws upon the executive’s experience.

Case Study: Investment Theses

Proprietary Flow Control Distribution Roll-Up

Client  

PE firm with 50+ years’ experience investing in lower- and middle-market companies

Executive 

25 years’ experience in flow control distribution, 10 as CEO of a PE-backed company

Situation

Notch worked with our PE client over 10+ years on multiple successful distribution deals. After pursuing, but not prevailing in, an auction for a distributor of fluid handling products, our client asked us to help them find an executive to co-source and lead a buy-and-build in the space. We introduced the client to the former CEO of a PE-backed company in an adjacent space: flow control distribution. The executive had a list of actionable targets and vision for a loosely integrated roll-up strategy. Notch helped facilitate negotiations between our client and the executive to form an exclusive co-sourcing agreement. As their diligence narrowed on a specific target, we also conducted a CFO search to secure a qualified executive to join upon closing.

Outcome

Within a year, our client closed on the initial platform – a proprietary target sourced by the executive. With the executive serving as Chairman/CEO, they made 15+ follow-on acquisitions to fuel geographic and product line expansion before selling the company in one of the firm’s most successful transactions to date.