Ironclad Environmental Services – Chris and Rob Michalik (Kinderhook Industries), (S3.EP.08)
Dec 13, 2023
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Chris and Rob Michalik are twin brothers and co-founders of Kinderhook Industries, a private equity firm specializing in middle-market businesses. They dive into their investment in Ironclad Environmental Services, a leader in industrial waste management. The conversation sheds light on strategic acquisition tactics and the importance of thorough due diligence. They share experiences from challenging negotiations and highlight the dynamics of teamwork in achieving long-term success in private equity, showcasing their unique approach to value creation.
Middle market businesses, accounting for two-thirds of private equity deal value, are crucial to the U.S. economy's health and employment.
KinderHook Industries focuses on long-term value creation through strategic acquisitions and operational improvements in the environmental services sector.
Deep dives
The Importance of the Middle Market
Middle market businesses, defined as those generating between $25 million and $1 billion in revenue, play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, employing approximately 50 million people and accounting for two-thirds of private equity deal value. This segment is often overshadowed by larger headline-grabbing deals, yet it represents a significant portion of economic activity and investment opportunity. The podcast illustrates that there are around 200,000 such businesses in the U.S., highlighting their importance as a vibrant sector within the private equity landscape. Through its seasons, the series seeks to shed light on various private equity transactions across this essential market space.
KinderHook Industries and Its Strategy
KinderHook Industries, a private equity firm specializing in middle market businesses, emphasizes long-term partnerships and value creation through its investment strategy. With a focus on three non-correlated verticals—healthcare services, environmental services, and automotive services—KinderHook seeks to invest in businesses that may be off the beaten path but have strong growth potential. The firm’s approach often involves acquiring a controlling interest in family-owned businesses or divisions of larger companies, facilitating transitions where owners can realize value while re-engaging their entrepreneurial spirit. This strategy allows KinderHook to drive growth and stability within its portfolio companies.
The Acquisition of Ironclad Environmental Services
The podcast details KinderHook's acquisition of Ironclad Environmental Services, a leading player in the industrial waste containment market, which exemplifies its operational focus. Ironclad operates with a significant fleet and a strategic presence along the Gulf Coast, servicing the petrochemical and refining sectors. The due diligence process revealed considerable opportunities for improved pricing and utilization, particularly as the waste service industry often functions like a utility, where service is expected, making the business model inherently stable. This acquisition also encompassed rebranding and integrating operations with an eye toward maximizing efficiency and growth potential.
Growth Perspectives and Industry Dynamics
The future prospects for Ironclad are promising, particularly in light of rising industrial demands driven by recent government initiatives. Following the acquisition, KinderHook aims to leverage its capital-intensive model to drive double-digit organic growth while also focusing on strategic add-on acquisitions. The financial health of the business is underscored by significant free cash flow generation, positioning KinderHook to capitalize on market opportunities without excessive reliance on debt. Additionally, the recent inflationary environment presents both challenges and opportunities, as providers of essential services like waste management can often pass increased costs onto customers, thereby maintaining margins.
On episode eight of season three of Private Equity Deals, Chris and Rob Michalik discuss Kinderhook Industries’ investment in Ironclad Environmental Services.
Chris and Rob are twin brothers and co-founders of Kinderhook, a twenty-year-old private equity firm that manages $5 billion specializing in middle-market businesses across healthcare services, environmental services, and automotive/light manufacturing.
Ironclad Environmental Services is a leading provider of logistics-based solutions focused on the containment of industrial waste. It has 50 branches and a fleet of 29,000 specialized rental assets that store, separate, and transport liquid and solid industrial waste.
Our conversation covers Kinderhook’s identification, due diligence, and negotiation of the deal. We discuss a significant early add-on acquisition, progress-to-date, and the future of Ironclad.