Peak Toolworks, a subsidiary of DBW Holdings, a portfolio company jointly owned by Granite Creek Capital Partners and Canterbury Ventures, has acquired Southern Carbide, a provider of industrial tooling and sharpening services.
DBW Holdings was formed in June 2021 following Granite Creek and Canterbury’s acquisition of Diamond Blade Warehouse. In December 2023, DBW Holdings acquired Peak Toolworks, with both Diamond Blade Warehouse and Peak Toolworks continuing to operate as separate businesses under the holding company.
Diamond Blade Warehouse (DBW) is a distributor and manufacturer of diamond-tipped cutting tools serving construction, masonry, and related trades. Its product offerings include segmented blades for concrete and asphalt, continuous rim blades for ceramics and tile, and coring products for reinforced concrete. The company’s customer base includes contractors, rental companies, and construction suppliers across North America. Founded in 1987, DBW is headquartered near Chicago in Wheeling, Illinois, with distribution facilities in Illinois, California, Texas, and New Jersey.
Peak Toolworks manufactures and services engineered diamond and carbide cutting tools used in woodworking, metalworking, and advanced materials manufacturing. Its offerings include Peak Edge carbide saw blades, Peak Diamond composites tooling, and Tooling Performance Programs that combine sharpening, audits, and maintenance services.
The business serves manufacturers of cabinets, flooring, windows, and custom wood and metal components. Peak Toolworks originated in 1941 as Onsrud Cutter, adopting its current name after a series of mergers among regional tooling operations. The company is headquartered in Jasper, Indiana, with additional operations in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ontario.
Southern Carbide, founded in 1997 and based in Shreveport, Louisiana, provides sharpening, repair, and tooling services specializing in carbide and diamond-cutting applications. Its customers primarily operate in the wood products (plywood, particleboard, engineered panel) and metal fabrication sectors across North Louisiana, South Arkansas, East Texas, and Southeast Oklahoma.
“Southern Carbide’s service-first philosophy is a natural fit with Peak Toolworks’ approach to complete tooling solutions,” said Ron Bayus, CEO of Peak Toolworks. “Together, we’re combining deep technical expertise, superior service, and regional reach to ensure customers have access to the highest-performing tools and support in the industry.”
Granite Creek invests between $10 million and $20 million in companies generating $25 million to $100 million in revenue and $3 million to $15 million in EBITDA. Its focus areas include business services, food and agribusiness, healthcare, and niche manufacturing and distribution. In November 2023, Granite Creek closed its third investment fund at $300 million, surpassing its target. Granite Creek, founded in 2005, is headquartered in Chicago.
Chicago-headquartered Canterbury Ventures, the family office of W. James Farrell, former chairman and CEO of Illinois Tool Works, invests primarily in industrial products, manufacturing, business services, and specialty distribution companies.
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