The Bootstrap Difference

“We are owner-operators who honor the legacies of bootstrapping entrepreneurs by unlocking the potential of the companies they built.”

Investment Approach

  • We are experienced, successful entrepreneurs
  • We have a long-term horizon
  • We provide day-to-day leadership
  • We will partner with entrepreneurs to implement a succession plan

Investment Approach

Size:

  • Revenue from $5 to $10 million
  • EBITDA from $750,000 to $1.5 million

Ownership:

  • Control Preferred

Sectors:

  • Business services, distribution and light manufacturing / assembly
  • Defensible, measurable differentiation or niche market position

Stages:

  • Mature and growth stage companies

Location:

  • Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Colorado

Bootstrap Capital Acquires O&W Communications

By admin
August 30, 2019 6:47 pm
O&W Communications, LLC
Kevin Sander
2040 North Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53083
(920) 457-8640
www.owcommunications.com
Bootstrap Capital, LLC
John Honney
7742 S. Eudora Ct.
Centennial, CO  80122
(312) 735-7534
www.bootstrap-capital.com

John Honney, managing partner of Bootstrap Capital and individual investors have partnered with the management team of O&W Communications (OWCommunications.com) to acquire the business from its second generation owner-operators.  O&W is a full service dealer of safety, security and communications systems with a loyal customer base throughout much of Wisconsin.

The company traces its roots to a TV antenna installation business founded in 1949 by Phil Oostdyke and Roger Wilke.  Over the years, the company’s service offerings and products have changed substantially, but its focus on customer service has never wavered.  Today, the company takes pride in being the state’s preferred provider of low voltage systems, such as fire alarm, telephone, public address, nurse call, door access and video surveillance systems.

Kevin Sander, President of O&W, stated that the company is extremely well-positioned for growth throughout Wisconsin.  “We have tremendous employees.  Our technicians are extremely competent, and the other team members are all incredibly talented.  Everyone is laser focused on customer service.  With these people and the outstanding products and brands we represent, there are few limitations on what we can do.”

Tim Arnoldi, VP of Safety and Security, added, “I’ve been here for more than 20 years and have never seen the team so energized.  The new ideas and investment brought in by Bootstrap are right on target.  We are all excited about the future.”

“The transition to the new ownership group has been smooth,” said Todd Kuehl, VP of Telecommunications.  “The new owners have partnered with us, just as we partner with our customers.  Given their approach, I am confident we will deliver an even better level of service for years to come.”

About O&W Communications

Based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, O&W Communications traces its roots to 1949, when Peter Oostdyke and Roger Wilke founded a TV antenna installation business.  As the market opportunities changed, so did the company, first adding sound systems and later business telephone systems to its offerings.  Today, the company takes pride in being the state’s preferred provider of low voltage systems, such as fire alarm, telephone, public address, nurse call, door access and video surveillance systems.

The company represents best-in-class products from the industry’s leading OEMs, including Notifier by Honeywell, Valcom, NEC, biamp., Rcare and Open Options, as well as many others.

About Bootstrap Capital

Bootstrap Capital is a Denver-based private equity firm that respects the accomplishments of bootstrapping entrepreneurs and seeks to honor their legacies. The firm grows the companies they built and celebrates the legend of how they built them.  It acquires and operates small business services and distribution companies at a time in their evolution when they could benefit from a change in ownership. Bootstrap Capital’s approach is to build its portfolio deliberately, providing day-to-day leadership for an extended period of time after making an acquisition, thereby providing turnkey succession plans for owners seeking to retire.

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