Industry:Â Industrial Distribution
Initial Ownership:Â 97.0%
Date of Initial Equity Investment:Â September 2001
Date of Exit:Â March 2004
| Business Description: | The Hillman Companies, Inc. (“Hillman†or the “Companyâ€) is a leading distributor of fasteners, key blanks, letters, numbers, signs and other related hardware items. Hillman also provides value-added merchandise managing services such as reviewing and replenishing stock levels. Hillman’s customers include traditional hardware stores, national and regional home centers and mass-market retailers, including Home Depot, K-Mart, Lowe’s, PetSmart and Wal-Mart. |
| Investment Thesis: | Hillman’s distribution business was a market leader in a niche business of managing, stocking and merchandising hardware aisles of many retailers. The Company also benefited from: . High value-added service offering for retailers . Strong, long-standing customer relationships . A deep and seasoned management team . Strong free cash-flow characteristics – high RONA . Good growth prospects through strategic add-on acquisitions |
| Investment Highlights: | The deal team helped drive growth and create value in Hillman by providing both capital and financial expertise, leading to: (i) the completion of two important add-on acquisitions; (ii) the building of a new state-of-the-art distribution facility; and (iii) a reduction in overhead by over $3 million that increased efficiency within the organization. In March 2004, the company was sold to Code Hennessy & Simmons. |
