Capitalizing on his wide-ranging career as an operating executive, strategy and financial consultant and investment banker, John Kemp is actively seeking acquisition opportunities in the lower middle market.

Investment Criteria

Size

Companies with revenues between $5 – $10 million, and Seller Discretionary Earnings (SDE) of $1.0 million (approximately)

Larger companies with revenues between $10 – $50 million, and EBITDA from $1.0 – $3.0 million

Target industries and transaction types

Niche manufacturing, specialty distribution and business & industrial services

Business-to-business (B2B)

Industry agnostic, with slight (but not exclusive) preference for the automotive aftermarket, consumer products and business services

Address growing markets with sustainable competitive advantages

Minimal customer and vendor concentration

Exit (transition) plan for retiring business owner(s) and divestitures (e.g., non-core subsidiaries of larger corporations)

No interest in “main street” businesses such as retail and restaurants, terminally distressed or start-ups

Geography

Revenues: United States

Company location:

  • Chicagoland, including Northeast Illinois, Southeast Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana
  • Willing to consider opportunities in select growth states (including Colorado, Tennessee and Texas)