Exited Investment

Industrial Water Treatment Solutions Corp. (IWTS)

Prairie Capital Fund V

LocationSouth Holland, IL
Transaction TypeGrowth Buyout with Management
Investment DateDecember 2011
Exit DateJuly 2020
BuyerElement Solutions
Business

Platform company comprised of Industrial Specialty Chemicals (ISC) and DMP Corporation (DMP). ISC is a leading formulator, manufacturer and provider of water treatment chemicals-based products and services and DMP is a leading designer, manufacturer and assembler of mechanical water treatment systems.

IndustryIndustrial

Investment Rationale

  • Industry provided attractive primary demand drivers based on stringent government regulation coupled with customers’ desire to extend the life of capital assets and mitigate extraneous maintenance costs
  • Based on fragmented industrial water treatment market full of successful businesses with aging entrepreneurs, Prairie formed IWTS as platform for strategic acquisitions of water treatment companies possessing unique technical / service capabilities
  • Planned to accelerate growth and profitability by providing capital and resources to both ISC and DMP and combining the businesses to take advantage of cross-selling opportunities in the market

Value Add

  • Human Capital
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Infrastructure
  • Add-on Acquisitions

We chose to work with Prairie Capital based on their reputation for honesty and transparency during and after transactions, as well as their focus on lower middle market companies.

They’ve been an excellent partner. Their people are direct and friendly. Even when things get tough, you know you’re on the same team pulling for the same outcome.

Chris Dooley, CEO