Wind Point Partners

Wind Point Partners
Company typePrivate
IndustryPrivate equity
Founded1984; 40 years ago (1984)
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois, United States
ProductsLeveraged buyout, Growth capital
Total assets$4 billion
Number of employees
30+
Websitewppartners.com

Wind Point Partners is an American private equity firm focused on growth capital investments and leveraged buyouts in middle-market companies. The firm focuses on the following industry sectors: Consumer Products, Industrial Products, and Business Services.[1] Wind Point's strategy involves partnering with executives who typically have run a P&L of $1 billion or greater to acquire businesses with enterprise values between $100 million and $500 million.

The firm, which is based in Chicago, Illinois, was founded in 1984. It was founded and funded by S. Curtis Johnson of Racine Wisconsin, heir to the SC Johnson fortune.

History

Since its founding, Wind Point has raised approximately $4.0 billion of investor commitments and completed more than 100 investments and 300 add-on acquisitions[2] across its nine private equity funds.[3] The firm began raising their ninth fund in 2019 with a $1.2 billion target.[4] The firm completed fundraising for its eighth fund in 2017 with $985 million of investor commitments.[5] Wind Point's prior funds were raised in 2009 with $915 million of investor commitments and 2005 with $715 million of investor commitments.

Since inception, Wind Point acquisitions have included Pacific Cycle (also maker of Schwinn bicycles),[6] Bushnell Corporation,[7][8] Bakery Chef,[9] Gehl Foods, and Ames True Temper.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "Our Strategy | Strategy | Wind Point Partners".
  2. ^ "Maximizing Growth Potential, Creating Value in the Middle Market | Overview | Wind Point Partners".
  3. ^ "Wind Point backs Tropicale Foods | PitchBook".
  4. ^ "Stir Foods Acquires Celtrade".
  5. ^ "Wind Point Buys U.S. Nonwovens".
  6. ^ CANADIAN COMPANY BUYS MAKER OF SCHWINN BIKES. New York Times, January 14, 2004
  7. ^ Press release: MidOcean Partners and Management Announce Acquisition Of Bushnell Outdoor Products, Inc. from Wind Point Partners
  8. ^ David Bushnell, 92, Importer of Affordable Binoculars, Dies, New York Times, March 31, 2005
  9. ^ RALCORP IS BUYING BAKERY CHEF FOR $287.5 MILLION. New York Times, November 13, 2003
  10. ^ U.S. INDUSTRIES SELLS ITS LAWN AND GARDEN TOOLS UNIT. New York Times, December 25, 2001
  11. ^ CASTLE HARLAN TO BUY GARDEN-EQUIPMENT MAKER. New York Times, June 9, 2004