Shorehill has acquired Estex Manufacturing, a privately-held manufacturer specializing in industrial sewn products for utility, airline, and military applications including safety and protective gear, tool storage products, high-visibility apparel, and protective covers.
Estex’s utility and electrical safety products include lineman tool buckets for carrying tools, arc protection blankets to shield workers from electrical hazards, and high-visibility protective vests and sleeves.
Estex also offers custom industrial sewn products, including heavy-duty tool bags made from canvas, nylon, or vinyl, custom equipment covers for machinery and tools, and industrial-grade securing straps and harnesses.
In the airline sector, Estex manufactures baggage cart curtains to protect luggage, aircraft loading bridge solutions for safe passenger boarding, and ramp safety products such as reflective markers and tool bags.
Founded in 1900 by Henry Estes as the Estes Manufacturing Company, Estex began as a producer of horse and buggy accessories, including collars, saddles, and bridles. In the 1940s, the company pivoted to the power utility sector, repurposing its feed bags into lineman tool buckets. Today, the company produces more than 4,000 SKUs and is led by President Mike Scott, with headquarters located southwest of Atlanta in Fairburn, Georgia.
“Shorehill is thrilled to partner with Mike Scott and the rest of the Estex team,” said Robert Jackson, a managing director at Shorehill Capital. “This partnership reflects our commitment to collaborating with management teams to achieve shared success. Together, we are enhancing manufacturing capacity, improving efficiency, and working to accelerate growth.”
Chicago-based Shorehill Capital makes control investments in North American middle-market companies with EBITDA ranging from $3 million to $15 million and enterprise values between $20 million and $150 million. The firm focuses on engineered industrial products, industrial services, and value-added distribution.
In November 2023, Shorehill Capital held a final, oversubscribed closing of its second fund, Shorehill Private Equity II LP, with $260 million in capital commitments, exceeding its $250 million target. The firm was founded in 2013 by its managing partners Brian Simmons and Dave Hawkins, both former senior executives of CHS Capital.
Financing for this acquisition was provided by Fidus Investment Corporation.
© 2025 Private Equity Professional | February 28, 2025
