Calder Capital is pleased to welcome Jakob Simonds as Lead Analyst of our Central Services team. Jakob joined our team for the Winter/Spring 2021 Internship program. He’ll be staying on as financial analyst and lead of new client onboarding. While you may remember him as our Guacamole Hater, there is far more to share about Jakob than his aversion to avocados. A recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, Jakob is a Grand Rapids native, a University of Michigan sports enthusiast, and a lover of the outdoors. He takes his coffee black, and yet on par with his willingness to try new things, he’s looking forward to further espresso bar training from Calder’s in-house baristas. While Jakob’s day-to-day responsibilities have remained relatively unchanged from his time in the internship program, Jakob has assumed a leadership role. “I spend time overseeing the work of the other analysts and interns, and onboarding new clients,” he says. “I’m still doing a lot of the same daily tasks (creating financial models, valuations, and comprehensive marketing materials) but I would say that overall I’m working on a lot more of the big-picture initiatives.” Jakob is excited to continue growing along with Calder. “I would also […]
Calder Capital Welcomes Jonathan Dykstra to the Central Services Team!
Calder Capital is pleased to welcome the newest addition to our Central Services team, Jonathan Dykstra. Calder Capital’s Central Services team works behind the scenes to get each client to market and get as many buyers’ eyes on them as possible. The Central Services team is comprised of dedicated and trained financial analysts who compile business valuations and create comprehensive marketing packages for Calder’s sell-side clients. As Calder continues to grow, Central Services is the scaffolding that keeps the foundation strong. A recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Accounting. Jonathan is fresh out of college, but he brings with him an ambition and an experience base that is a great asset to Calder’s work. Jonathan joined the team in September as our newest Financial Analyst. Prior to joining Calder, Jonathan served as an Equity Research & Valuation analyst at Seamstrong Advisors, and as the Vice President of Portfolio Management of GVSU’s investment club. He devotes much of his time to teaching valuation and financial analysis to younger finance majors. Outside of his Finance and Accounting career, Jonathan has dabbled in filmmaking, and he has a deep appreciation for […]
Computer Rescue 911 of Grand Rapids, MI Acquired by Local Investor
Calder Capital, LLC is proud to announce that Computer Rescue 911 of Grand Rapids, MI has been acquired by an individual investor. Computer Rescue 911 was acquired by David Vanderzwaag, owner of TechVZ, a computer consulting company based in West Michigan. David’s father, Don Vanderzwaag, sought to help David grow his IT business through a strategic acquisition. David purchased Computer Rescue, and Don purchased the business’ facility. Moe and Kevin Damghani, a father-son partnership, founded Computer Rescue 911 in 2007. Moe has since retired, and Jonathan Highman joined the Company as Kevin’s business partner in 2014. In 2019, Jonathan and Kevin split the Company into two entities: IT Partners and Computer Rescue 911, with Computer Rescue focusing solely on computer and phone repairs. They engaged with Calder Capital in order to find a buyer who would continue growing Computer Rescue 911 so that they could focus solely on IT Partners, which has been recognized for multiple years as a fast-growing West Michigan Inc 5000 company. Scott Nicholson served as the lead Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor to Kevin and Jonathan. “Don and David were the perfect fit to take over Computer Rescue,” said Kevin Damghani. “The company coming full circle […]
Featured Advisor: Q&A with Rudy Moeller
The newest addition to the Calder team, Rudy Moeller, is an M&A Advisor operating in Louisville, KY. He holds a BA and an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and he’s a bourbon connoisseur who loves to host tastings. Our Managing Partner, Max Friar, asks him a few questions about how he came to be here. Motto: The secret to success in life lies in how well you execute “Plan B.” Favorite Activities: Studying 20th century history, learning more about quantum mechanics and cooking. Karaoke Night Song: A medley of Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” Max: One of your career stops led to you and I working together on the start of a corporate cost reduction consulting franchise more than 10 years ago. We are working together again now. How did that come to be? Rudy: Well, immediately you struck me as a young entrepreneur with a strong desire to help other companies and a keen analytical mind for process development. Earlier in 2021, I began observing your success in the M&A space though LinkedIn, and was really impressed with the results you and the firm were delivering. I believe I mentioned that if you ever wanted […]
Market Remarks Q3 2021: Max Friar Interviews Transaction Attorney Andrew Longcore
In lieu of our usual collaborative Q3 report, our Managing Partner Max Friar sat down with colleague and longtime friend Andrew Longcore for a Q&A on what he’s been seeing in the Q3 business market. Andrew has unique experience as both a transaction attorney and M&A advisor facilitating deals. Max: How are owners/sellers feeling right now? What are the reasons behind these feelings? Andrew: The M&A market is extremely active right now. There seems to be an increase in burnout or looking for a change in life. The pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty and caused others to reevaluate their priorities. I do anticipate a tipping point coming. I do not know when but with the number of business owners that are experiencing burnout, that are nearing (or are past) retirement age, and the number of distressed businesses surviving on government subsidies, I expect to see the number of businesses available to be bought on the rise. Max: Are there any themes driving buyer interest/activity? For example, low interest rates, SBA incentives? Andrew: Each buyer is unique but for individual buyers, I believe there is a growing desire to take control of their professional life and not rely on […]
Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating of Alpena, MI Acquired by Investor Group
Calder Capital is pleased to announce that its client, Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating, Inc., has been acquired. Established in 1959 by Walter and Theresa Weinkauf, Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating is a second-generation family plumbing and HVAC contractor located in Alpena, Michigan. Prior to the sale, the business was owned and operated by siblings Rob Weinkauf, Karen Lankheet, Alan Weinkauf, and Steve Weinkauf. The four co-owners of Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating were approaching retirement age and wanted to ensure a successful and careful transition for the business, its dedicated employees, and loyal customers. They engaged Calder Capital in 2020 in order to find its successor. Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating was acquired by a group of individual investors led by Alpena native, Luke Gerhart. Luke will assume a leadership role in the company and will use his decades of construction management experience to build and grow the company for its continued long-term success. “I am thrilled to continue what the Weinkauf family has built,” commented Luke Gerhart. “I look forward to taking the helm and leading Weinkauf through the next decade. Our group is committed to investing in the business, its employees, and the community of Alpena.” Matt Baas of Calder Capital […]
Calder Capital Buy-Side Client Update: August 2021
Can you believe August has already come and gone? It’s time to brief you in detail how Calder Capital’s Buy-Side team is fulfilling our current buy-side clients’ mandates. August was exceptional! How do we do this? It’s not rocket science. We combine a personal touch, automation, and data analytics with the tedious work that no one wants to do – lots of research, cold calls, and email outreach. Select Seller Leads Developed in August The Indication of Interest If you are an aggressive buyer you are likely speaking to more than one potential seller at a time. Given all the time, effort (emails and calls), and capital expended to unearth numerous prospects, how do you determine who to present a Letter of Intent (LOI) to? After all, an LOI is an offer with binding terms and at this stage it may be difficult to decide between numerous opportunities. A lesser known tool, often utilized by the Calder team, is the Indication of Interest (IOI). An IOI is generally two to three pages long and much like the LOI, an IOI allows a buyer to propose a purchase price, terms, deal structure, and transition expectations, simply without binding exclusivity […]
C&K Box and Mulch Wholesalers of Jackson, MI Acquired by an Individual Investor!
Calder Capital is pleased to announce that C&K Box and Mulch Wholesalers of Jackson, MI have been acquired by an individual investor. Founded in 1960, C&K Box manufactures wood packaging products such as pallets, skids, crates, boxes, corner posts, stakes, and custom products tailored to clients’ needs. C&K Box has been owned by the Stevens family for several decades, and Mulch Wholesalers was established by second-generation owner Mark Stevens in 1995 as a method to minimize waste produced by C&K Box. The two companies share a unique synergistic relationship. The Companies were acquired by Dustin Ruth. Dustin has years of experience in business management, business ownership, and sales. “The symbiotic relationship of these two companies immediately stood out to me,” commented Dustin about the acquisition. “It’s rare to find two companies that are able to reduce waste and optimize sustainability so effectively. I’m excited to take it even further.” After 46 years of involvement with C&K Box, the Stevens family is ready to take a step back. The family engaged with Calder Capital at the end of 2020 to find the right buyer for the Companies, either separately or as a package. Sam Scharich and Ghazey Aleck, Mergers and Acquisitions […]
Charlesbrook Protection Services, LLC, of Grand Rapids, MI Acquired by an Individual Investor!
Calder Capital, LLC is excited to announce that Charlesbrook Protection Services, LLC, of Grand Rapids, MI has been acquired by an individual investor. Former police officer Ryan Woodford founded Charlesbrook Protection Services in 2014. Charlesbrook provides security guards for hire to protect businesses, institutions, and events. Charlesbrook was acquired by 10-year Marine veteran Chris Jansens, who is also the owner of Centurion Security Solutions in West Michigan. Charlesbrook will continue to operate under its original name and brand. “I was immediately impressed with Charlesbrook’s professionalism and reputation,” commented Chris Jansens. “Charlesbrook’s wide and loyal client base is a testament to the quality of their services, and I intend to continue that degree of service.” Charlesbrook Protection Services founder Ryan Woodford worked in law enforcement prior to starting the Company. While he has enjoyed operating Charlesbrook, he would like to pursue other interests outside of the criminal justice and protection services industry. He engaged with Calder Capital in 2020 in order to find the right buyer to take over the Company’s operations. “Matt Baas and the Calder team were excellent to work with,” said Woodford. “They remained engaged and focused even throughout the uncertainty of COVID which absolutely affected the event […]
Record Growth Lands Calder Capital on Inc’s 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies List
Calder’s trail-blazing ascent to the fastest-growing M&A firm in the US–even through 2020. Grand Rapids, MI – August 10, 2021 – Michigan-headquartered M&A firm Calder Capital today announced it had been named to Inc. Magazine’s top 5000 most successful private companies in the country. Every year, Inc. generates a list of the top 5000 most successful private companies in the country based on their impressive growth over the course of a 3-year period. While there are other business organizations that dole out merit-based awards, Inc.’s prestigious compilation is different from the rest. “While all positive recognitions are a gift,” commented Calder Founder Max Friar, “getting on the Inc. 5000 list is my kind of award because it’s based on the facts. It looks at hard sales data and recognizes companies that have shown exceptional growth.” Unlike other lists that are based on judges’ rankings, which often consider factors other than growth, Inc.’s list requires that a company meet strict eligibility requirements: Companies must be privately-owned, based in the United States, independent, have started earning revenue by March 31st, 2016, had revenue no less than $100,000 in 2016, had revenue no less than $2,000,000 in 2019, and revenue in 2019 exceeds […]