Based in Chicago, Industrial Water Treatment Solutions is a manufacturer and distributor of proprietary and innovative chemical products for the industrial water services market.

Prairie Capital is pleased to welcome D.J. Lipke as Vice President responsible for sourcing and evaluating potential investment opportunities, leading due diligence, structuring transactions, and supporting portfolio company investments.

Founded in Cerritos, California in 1979, Captek is a leading FDA-compliant manufacturer and distributor of specialty softgel vitamin and supplement formulations to the U.S. and Asian nutraceutical markets. The company provides customized, difficult-to-make formulations under manufacturing and distribution relationships for leading global brands worldwide. Captek’s experienced management team, unique softgel capabilities, strong customer base, and access to growing markets position it well to take advantage of multiple growth opportunities. Prairie Capital partnered with Skyline Global Partners and Triangle Capital to purchase a majority stake in Captek and a related entity from its founding entrepreneur.

Prairie Capital partnered with Vierville Capital to purchase Pyott-Boone Electronics, Inc. from a family ownership group. Pyott-Boone, founded in 1971 and based in North Tazewell, Virginia, is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of an extensive line of technology-enabled communication, tracking and monitoring products for underground mining and tunneling. The Company is a leading supplier to the U.S. coal industry through its extensive network of distributors and direct relationships with major coal producers. The Company also provides subcontract assembly services to the defense industry. Pyott-Boone’s substantial installed base of mines, focused engineering and design capabilities, and national coverage combine to offer premium branded products with superior customer service. Pyott-Boone’s significant growth, strong operating margins, product breadth, and reputation for quality and service create a solid platform for growth in an attractive industry.

Prairie Capital partnered with Jackson Partners to purchase a majority stake in the company from its founding entrepreneurs. Founded in Glen Allen, Virginia in 1994, Northfield is a medical equipment repair and service company. The company repairs endoscopes, general and specialty surgical tools, drills, diamond knives, micro instruments, needle holders, saws, regulators, cameras, power instruments, fiber optic cables and other items. Northfield's 60 independent sales representatives service over 1,100 hospitals and surgery centers in 34 states. The company's three repair facilities and employee base of highly skilled technicians offer quick turnaround times on high quality repairs at competitive pricing; a combination which gives Northfield an advantage over OEMs, the primary competitors. Northfield's experienced management team and investment partner coupled with a strong, sustainable industry demand, driven by an aging population and a desire by hospitals to extend the useful life of their assets to reduce capital spending, create a solid platform for future growth.

Prairie Capital and Chicago Growth Partners are excited to announce their collective partnership with Ron Huberman. Ron's focus on deal origination in public safety, transportation and K-12 education is closely aligned with Prairie Capital's long history of investing in these industries. Ron is also working on government-related growth opportunities for current portfolio companies, utilizing his experience, knowledge and contacts in these sectors. View press release (pdf).

Prairie Capital has successfully closed its fifth fund at its pre-established hard cap of $300 million of committed capital. Prairie will continue its strategy of acquiring high growth niche manufacturing, education and service companies at the low end of the middle market. Prairie intends to make primarily control equity investments with occasional supportive subordinated debt investments in aggregate increments of $10 million to $30 million. Significant institutional investors include Abbott Capital, Credit Suisse, Illinois State Treasurer Fund, Portfolio Advisors, RCP Advisors, Troy Capital, University of Florida, Utah State Retirement Fund, and Washington University.

Prairie Capital and the management team of Messenger partnered to purchase the company from Norwood Promotional Products, a subsidiary of the BIC Group. Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Auburn, Indiana, Messenger is a leading manufacturer and distributor of specialty stationery and related products to the death care industry. Messenger products are sold to over 8,000 funeral home directors who, in turn, retail these products to families for memorial services. In additional to stationery, Messenger products include cards, displays and urns. The company’s experienced management team and national sales network combine to provide its diverse customer base with premium products and service. Messenger’s consistent performance, strong margins, and their reputation for quality, are a solid platform for future growth.

Prairie Capital's fourth fund has provided preferred and common equity and junior subordinated notes to acquire Statlab Medical Products, Inc. Statlab, based in McKinney, Texas, is a national distributor of specialized branded medical products and suppliers to diagnostic and pathology laboratories. Prairie invested alongside Caldera Capital Partners in this transaction.

Prairie Capital provided preferred and common equity and junior subordinated notes to support the acquisition of Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) in partnership with Chicago Growth Partners and Twin Bridge Capital Partners. SESI is a leading provider of non-public educational services for children with learning and behavioral difficulties in Kindergarten–12th grade. SESI offers highly individualized, tutorial-based education at its schools and programs that serve over 1,700 students in seven states.

Prairie Capital partnered with Ancor Capital Partners and company co-founder and president Jeff Campagna to finance the acquisition of FCA Packaging Products, LLC - a leading provider of custom designed and expendable packaging products and related services for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Prairie Capital IV provided senior subordinated notes and convertible preferred stock in the recapitalization of Chicago-area commercial bank Cole Taylor Bank by a group of investors including Financial Investments Corp., other Chicago institutions, and other high net worth investors.

Prairie Capital IV provided senior subordinated notes and common stock to support the acquisition of Charlotte, NC-based Insource Contract Services LLC by Colville Capital and its management team. Insource is a leading provider of on-premise contracted labor services for light manufacturing, assembly, and distribution.