Operations-focused private equity firm Industrial Opportunity Partners (“IOP”) has held a final close of its second fund, Industrial Opportunity Partners II, L.P., with $275 million of committed capital. IOP achieved its hard cap of $275 million for Fund II and was oversubscribed at its final closing, exceeding its original target of $250 million. “We are excited to have completed raising Fund II so quickly and with such strong demand,” said Kenneth Tallering, Senior Managing Director of IOP. “We appreciate the support and confidence of our Limited Partners, and we look forward to the opportunity to create value in our Fund II portfolio companies and to achieve strong returns for our investors.”
Founded in 2005, IOP focuses on acquiring and overseeing middle-market manufacturing and value-added distribution businesses, typically with revenues between $30 million and $350 million. IOP targets businesses with strong product, customer, and market positions and provides management and operational resources to support sales growth and operational improvements. The firm is located in Evanston, IL (www.iopfund.com).
IOP’s operating strategy is led by its dedicated, full-time Board of Operating Principals – a group of operating executives, each with over 30 years of experience, who guide and assist management teams in stabilizing, enhancing, and growing the value of their businesses.
“IOP’s committed Board of Operating Principals was a key factor in surviving the recession and in creating value in our portfolio companies. We believe the talents of our team truly resonated with our investors,” said IOP Managing Director Robert Vedra. “We believe IOP is well-positioned to pursue a broad spectrum of investment situations, ranging from profitable businesses that require management or other support to reach their full potential to businesses experiencing operational or financial distress.”
IOP’s first fund, Industrial Opportunity Partners, L.P. (“Fund I”), totaled $185 million of committed capital and was raised in 2006 and 2007. Fund I has completed 18 acquisitions: eleven portfolio companies and seven add-ons. The portfolio companies serve a variety of end markets, including transportation, construction, agriculture, building products, energy, and general industrial. In December, 2011, IOP completed its first full realization in its Fund I portfolio with the sale of FAS Controls, Inc., a manufacturer of electromechanical devices, pneumatic control valves and lighting products.
“We believe that the strength of our Fund I investment portfolio was a significant factor in the success of our Fund II fund raising efforts,” said Adam Gottlieb, IOP Managing Director. “It also is a testament to IOP’s value orientation and ability to execute on operational improvement strategies.”
Park Hill Group served as IOP’s placement agent and Sidley Austin provided legal counsel to the firm.