M&A Deal Summary

Inverness Graham Investments and Avante Capital Partners Acquire FoodChain ID

On December 19, 2013, private equity firm Inverness Graham Investments and mezzanine finance firm Avante Capital Partners acquired test/measurement equipment company FoodChain ID from LFE Capital

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Inverness Graham Investments’ 1st and Avante Capital Partners’ 1st transaction in the Test/Measurement Equipment sector.
  • This is Inverness Graham Investments’ 18th and Avante Capital Partners’ 12th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Inverness Graham Investments’ 1st and Avante Capital Partners’ 1st transaction in Iowa.
Investment Fate
  • FoodChain ID was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2016.
  • FoodChain ID was recapitalized in 2020.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2013-12-19
Target FoodChain ID
Sector Test/Measurement Equipment
Buyer(s) Inverness Graham Investments
Avante Capital Partners
Sellers(s) LFE Capital
Deal Type Secondary Buyout

Target

FoodChain ID

Fairfield, Iowa, United States
FoodChain ID is a provider of analytic testing, third-party certification, and consulting services to the agriculture and food industries. The company’s products are used for the testing of food and agricultural products to detect genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to ensure compliance with national and international government regulations, client and trading partner demands, and consumer information needs. FoodChain ID was founded in 1996 and is based in Fairfield, Iowa.

Search 214,238 Deals Now

SEARCH BY

  • Buyer Type (PE or Strategic)
  • Deal Size ($10M to $10B+)
  • Sector (60 Sectors)
  • Deal Type
  • Geography
  • & More

Try Free

Buyer(S) 2

Buyer

Inverness Graham Investments

Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2003
PE ASSETS 1.0B USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Inverness Graham Investments is the private equity arm of The Graham Group. The Firm looks to make controlling investments in lower mid-market companies throughout the US. Inverness targets capital-efficient businesses with strong/sustainable cash flow, differentiated products, and operating in growing markets. The Firm seeks to commit $20 to $80 million in companies valued up to $75 million. Sectors of interest include aerospace/defense, biotech/pharmaceuticals, building materials, business services, consumer services, packaging, industrial equipment/components, electronic equipment, food/beverages, medical devices/supplies, energy & power products/services, specialty chemicals, and technology hardware. Prospective transaction situations include buyouts, growth capital financings, recapitalizations, consolidations, and divestitures. Inverness Graham Investments was formed in 2003 and is based in Philadelphia. The Firm has an additional office in Los Angeles.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 18 of 38
Sector: Test/Measurement Equipment M&A 1 of 1
Type: Secondary Buyout M&A Deals 2 of 6
State: Iowa M&A 1 of 2
Country: United States M&A 18 of 38
Year: 2013 M&A 2 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-11-01 Mesker Door

Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Mesker Door, Inc. is a manufacturer of proprietary metal security doors and frames including specialty doors, plus stock inventory. Mesker Door was founded in 1864 and is based in Huntsville, Alabama.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-03-17 Inventus Power

Woodridge, Illinois, United States

Inventus Power is a provider of fully integrated, custom engineered rechargeable power systems, focused on low to medium volume products for mission critical electronic applications. Inventus Power was founded in 1960 and is based in Woodridge, Illinois.

Sell -
Buyer

Avante Capital Partners

Los Angeles, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Mezzanine Finance Firm
Founded 2009
Size Small
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Avante Mezzanine Partners is a provider of junior capital to lower middle-market companies generating at least $3 million in cash flow. The Firm looks to invest $5 to $20 million per transaction and generally works with private equity and independent sponsors in buyout transactions, as well as with entrepreneurs and owners to finance recapitalizations, refinancings, acquisitions and growth. Avante Mezzanine was formed in 2009 and has offices in Los Angeles and Boston.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 12 of 50
Sector: Test/Measurement Equipment M&A 1 of 1
Type: Secondary Buyout M&A Deals 4 of 7
State: Iowa M&A 1 of 1
Country: United States M&A 12 of 50
Year: 2013 M&A 5 of 5
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-12-11 Network Instruments

Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States

Network Instruments is an industry leader in application and network troubleshooting and analysis. Its monitoring and management tools optimize performance and speed problem resolution, helping ensure delivery of critical applications for businesses worldwide. It delivers these benefits through a seamlessly integrated line of software and hardware systems that are precision engineered for exact network monitoring and analysis.

Sell $200M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-03-31 Nobles Worldwide

St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, United States

Nobles Worldwide, Inc. is the largest supplier of ammunition feed systems to all branches of the U.S. military and its allies. Nobles are recognized globally for their superior durability products, cutting-edge designs, and rigorous quality assurance. Nobles Worldwide offer lighter, stronger and more flexible materials used in ammunition chutes, magazines, gun mounts, and weapon stations. Nobles are based in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Sell -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER
DESCRIPTION

LFE Capital is a private equity firm that provides junior and buyout capital to middle-market companies located in the upper Midwest US. Sectors of interest include consumer products and services, health related products and services, and business services. LFE prefers established or emerging businesses with at least $2 million of annual revenue and $1 million of cash-flow. LFE has a special interest in businesses that are owned or led by women and businesses that target female consumers. The Firm will consider both control and minority positions. LFE Capital was formed in 1999 and is based in Naples, Florida.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 5 of 9
Sector: Test/Measurement Equipment M&A 1 of 1
Type: Secondary Buyout M&A Deals 2 of 2
State: Iowa M&A 1 of 1
Country: United States M&A 5 of 9
Year: 2013 M&A 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-12-01 Immaculate Baking Co.

Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States

Immaculate Baking Co. is a manufacturer and marketer of all-natural and organic refrigerated dough products.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-03-13 Portero

New York, New York, United States

Portero operates an online marketplace for preowned, authenticated luxury goods. The site offers the world’s most exclusive brand names in watches, jewelry, and accessories. Portero has developed strategic and product sourcing relationships with over 140 retailers, manufacturers and dealers.

Sell -