Private Equity
Sowell & Co.’s Private Equity Group invests its own capital to support growing companies, management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate divestitures in both healthy and distressed situations. We focus on backing experienced managers by making $2 – $20 million investments in companies that typically have less than $10 million of EBITDA. After making an initial investment, we work closely with management to accelerate internal growth by thoughtfully investing capital and other resources into sales, marketing, R&D, new products and improved technology that can differentiate our portfolio companies in the marketplace, thereby creating sustainable, profitable growth. We also invest in external growth in the form of acquisitions, having completed in excess of 30 add-on acquisitions for our portfolio companies in the last ten years.
We believe that investing our own equity capital is a critical factor to our success. It allows us to, alongside management, set more significant goals that take longer to achieve and to properly invest to support these goals without an artificial time horizon. This type of focus on the long-term success of the business is not possible with institutional funds that have to “flip” their portfolio companies every 3 – 5 years to meet the timelines associated with the life of their funds. Additionally, investing our own capital provides for a streamlined decision-making process in negotiating and closing transactions and significant flexibility with respect to the size and type of our investments.
CURRENT PRIVATE EQUITY INTERESTS
CareCycle Solutions is a post-acute care company focused on serving the chronically ill patients in their homes. The company provides nursing, therapy, remote vital signs monitoring, and physician house call services to over 4,000 patients throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The company remotely monitors the vital signs of in excess of 2,500 patients, and this proprietary program has improved medical outcomes by dramatically reducing the rate at which patients are hospitalized for their chronic condition.
American Integrity provides insurance coverage to homeowners and landlords in the state of Florida. The Company was founded by CEO Robert Ritchie and Sowell & Co. in 2006 after many insurance companies left the state due to unusually high hurricane activity during 2004-5. Today, American Integrity currently insures in excess of 100,000 homeowners representing in excess of $25 billion in insured property and $125 million in annual premiums.
Aaren Scientific was founded in 1989 with the goal of developing the most scientifically advanced intraocular lenses and surgical products available for the ophthalmic industry. An early innovator in the use of computer-controlled manufacturing of intraocular lenses (IOLs), Aaren Scientific has always viewed exceptional quality as the foundation of for its products. As the first IOL manufacturer in the United States to be awarded a CE registration, enabling the company to sell its products in Europe, Aaren Scientific has remained dedicated to the science of delivering the highest visual acuity with its IOLs throughout the world. Thus, Aaren continues to maintain its record of achievement and reputation for excellence within the industry.
We operate our industry-leading, FDA-approved manufacturing facility out of Ontario, California, along with our research and development facility in Irvine, CA. The R&D team is led by well-respected M.D.s, Ph.D.s, chemists and engineers, maintaining Aaren Scientific’s position as the industry’s leader in innovation.
Direct involvement by management from production to quality control allows us to maintain our level of excellence. All lenses go through rigorous testing with an attention to detail and a commitment to zero-defect perfection. It’s this commitment to quality and innovation that continues that make Aaren Scientific the first choice for thousands of ophthalmic surgeons around the world.
Sales and profits increased sixfold under Sowell & Co.’s ownership.
Resourcing Edge Inc. (REI) is a professional employer organization (PEO) providing a single source of integrated services enabling business owners to cost-effectively outsource the management of human resources, employee benefits, risk/safety assessment, payroll and workers’ compensation and other strategic services. Sowell & Co. joined with existing management and invested in the Company in August 2010.
Apache Enterprises designs, engineers and manufactures components for military and commercial aerospace applications. The Company has been a leading designer for airplane cockpit’s instrument night vision lighting among other complex components. Sowell & Co. brought on a new CEO for the Company at the time of its investment in July 2011.
Optic Outdoor Media
Specializing in digital and static outdoor advertising, Optic Outdoor Media has built a strong portfolio in top tier markets such as New York City, Chicago and Phoenix, among others. With expertise in securing new permits, Optic Outdoor Media will continue to expand its superior portfolio. The company has invested considerable resources in a full range of available technologies and customized enhancements, including LED video screens, electronic zippers, fiber optics and specialized lighting. 2012
Sagebrush Solutions
With its proprietary SageSuite™ software, Sagebrush Solutions specializes in electronic audit, overpayment recovery, analysis of health transaction data, and litigation support for the healthcare industry. Sagebrush systems and technology consistently provide greater returns, even on data that has already been audited by other vendors. Providing accurate, complete solutions for high-volume cost recovery and long-term loss prevention, improving their customers’ bottom line now and into the future. 2012
Concho Oilfield Services, LLC
Concho Oilfield Services, LLC, is a diversified provider of energy services and end of life solutions to E&P operators. Its services include plugging & abandonment (“P&A”) services, workover services, injection wells, water hauling and other oilfield services. Concho also takes over wells which are near the end of their productive lives, optimizes their production and operates them. Concho is based in Albany, TX. 2012
Pinnacle Spine Group
Pinnacle Spine Group was founded with the focused goal of developing innovative medical devices, conceived in the operating room, for surgical procedures of the spine. The objective for every device and instrument Pinnacle designs is a better outcome for the patient, and a better experience for the surgeon and operating room staff. This commitment is supported by a highly experienced medical advisory board led by respected surgeon, Russell Nelson, M.D. 2010
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