Mason Wells has held a final closing of Mason Wells Buyout Fund IV and its related Executive Buyout Fund IV with total commitments of $615 million. This fundraise was launched last summer with an initial combined target of $550 million.
Mason Wells was founded by John Byrnes, Executive Chairman of the Board and President, who led the spin-out of the firm from Marshall & Ilsley Bank in 1998. Mr. Byrnes led the fundraising for the firm’s first $175 million buyout fund. In 2005, the firm raised the $300 million Mason Wells Buyout Fund II and in 2010 closed its third fund at $525 million.
Mason Wells will use the new capital to acquire between 10 and 14 platform investments over the next four to five years. As with earlier funds, Fund IV will make investments in Midwest-based companies with revenues of $25 million to $300 million and EBITDAs of $5 million to $30 million. Sectors of interest include consumer packaged goods, packaging materials & converting, outsourced business services, and engineered products & services.
Tom Smith, Executive Managing Director, is responsible for the day-to-day investment activities of Mason Wells, including the management of new investment activities and the oversight of its portfolio companies. Mr. Smith was part of the team that spun-out of Marshall & Ilsley. He joined Marshall & Ilsley’s private equity arm in 1991 after spending six years in the investment banking businesses at Robert W. Baird & Co.
Mason Wells is headquartered in Milwaukee (www.masonwells.com).
© 2016 Private Equity Professional • 2-8-16
