Blackford Capital

Blackford Capital, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a private equity firm specializing in the acquisition, management, and development of middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and service companies. The firm leverages extensive due diligence, operational experience, and M&A expertise to enhance the performance of its portfolio. Blackford Capital currently operates portfolio companies across six states, generating combined revenues of approximately $200 million. Martin Stein, the Founder and Managing Director, leads the firm’s acquisition efforts and has considerable experience in private equity, having participated in around 20 acquisitions, investments, and exits. In addition to his role at Blackford, he holds leadership positions on the boards of several portfolio companies.

Martin Stein

Founder and Managing Director

Ken Wagner

CFO

19 past transactions

Ace Controls

Acquisition in 2025
Ace Controls provides quality goods and services at a reasonable price, with complete customer satisfaction.

SFS Security Fire Systems

Acquisition in 2024
SFS Security Fire Systems is a fire protection industry.

Empire Distributing

Acquisition in 2024
Empire Distributing is a fireplace distributor that provides one appliance product line to a few independent fireplace dealers.

Texas Injection Molding

Acquisition in 2024
Texas Injection molding provides custom plastic injection molding services for OEM manufacturing and consumer products.

Data Science Automation

Acquisition in 2024
Data Science Automation (DSA) is the trusted resource for integrating hardware, software, and systems that seamlessly work together.

LTD Online Stores

Acquisition in 2023
LTD Online Stores is an e-commerce business specializing in patio furniture, offering a range of middle-to-high-end products. The company operates through multiple channels, including wholesale distribution, drop-shipping, a direct-to-consumer website, and a retail storefront. By providing an all-inclusive shopping experience, LTD Online Stores positions itself as a one-stop destination for home furniture, balancing affordability with quality. This approach aims to cater to consumers seeking stylish yet sensible outdoor furniture solutions.

PACIV

Acquisition in 2023
PACIV is a control system engineering firm that specializes in providing comprehensive solutions in control systems, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. The company focuses on delivering exceptional services to enhance industrial process automation and systems integration. PACIV aims to support a diverse range of sectors, including wastewater, food and beverage, and energy, by leveraging its technical expertise and commitment to quality. By positioning itself as a single-source solution provider, PACIV seeks to meet the unique needs of its global manufacturing clients in a cost-effective manner while maintaining a strong reputation as a trusted partner in their operational success.

Artificial Turf Supply

Acquisition in 2022
Artificial Turf Supply is a manufacturer-direct, wholesale, artificial turf & synthetic turf supplier for residential, commercial, playground & athletic turf applications.

Starfire Direct

Acquisition in 2022
Starfire Direct was founded in 2007 and has since become a major success on the hearth and fire marketplace. The company has accomplished this goal by providing high quality products and excellent customer service. Based out of Southern California, they serve residential and commercial clients all around the world. Working alongside talented designers, contractors, and architects to create beautifully finished products, Starfire Direct has constructed custom hearth and fire projects for many popular businesses including Omni hotels, Four Seasons, Golden Nugget, the Marriott, the Ritz Carlton, Timber Cove Inn, and the Hard Rock Hotel. A dedication to quality and detail has helped the company ensure a polished product. Services and Products Available from Starfire Direct Starfire Direct is proud to refer to themselves as a “one-stop shop for all things fire.” They provide a number of different services for their clients, including custom designs. Some of the services and products that Starfire Direct provides includes: * Sale and installation of gas burners * Fittings, parts, and fireplace accessories * Fire glass, fire bowls, and fire pits * Fire-on-water displays Making Use of Technology for a Finely Finished Product The world of hearth and fireplace design is always changing thanks to the latest innovations in home-improvement and design technology. Starfire Direct strives to stay up to date on new technologies. They have an expert team that keeps their systems and tools modern and relevant. A Green Company with a Dedication to Excellence The folks at Starfire Direct care deeply about environmental issues, which is why they have incorporated green practices. They purchase renewable energy certificates for natural-energy investments. This offsets the energy they use in their day-to-day business and results in a declined use of unsustainable energy. The company also follows other green practices, like not distributing paper advertisements. Excellent Communication Skills Starfire Direct’s experienced team of professionals are dedicated to providing flawless service. This involves listening to the customer’s needs and putting them ahead of convenience, working with excellent products and materials that will result in a quality project, and offering the best knowledge of customized fire and hearth products available today.

Aqua-Leisure Recreation

Private Equity Round in 2021
Aqua-Leisure Recreation is a company based in Avon, Massachusetts, specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of products for water sports and leisure activities. The company offers a diverse range of performance and recreational items, including swim goggles, dive swim sets, pool floats, aqua loungers, hammocks, and resistance equipment. Aqua-Leisure focuses on delivering high-quality, proprietary designs and maintaining reliable supply chain logistics to enhance value for both customers and end-consumers. By promoting family-friendly activities and leisure enjoyment, Aqua-Leisure aims to foster connections among people through shared recreational experiences.

Hall Research

Private Equity Round in 2018
Hall Research is a USA based manufacturing/engineering firm specializing in the design and manufacture of quality audio/video control and signal management products.

Supplies Wholesalers

Private Equity Round in 2018
Supplies Wholesalers (SW) is one of the largest and fastest growing wholesalers of compatible ink and toner products in the industry today offering thousands of unique product sku’s & with 3 warehouses now, we can service 90% of the US in just 1-2 days via UPS Ground.

Ellison Bakery

Private Equity Round in 2017
Ellison Bakery Inc is a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company that specializes in producing cookies, crunch toppings, and inclusion items specifically for the ice cream industry. Founded in 1945 by Donald Ellis as a small operation in his garage, the business quickly expanded due to its reputation for high-quality baked goods. In 1948, Ellison Bakery moved to a larger facility at the Ellisville truck stop, where it began producing Swanson Homemade Cookies, later known as Archway cookies. The company became the exclusive producer of Archway cookies for Indiana, Kentucky, and Wisconsin until 1997, after which it continued as a supplier of Archway products nationwide. Today, Ellison Bakery serves a diverse range of markets, including retail, food service, and private label sectors, offering a variety of baked products that can be customized to meet different taste preferences.

Snowwhite

Acquisition in 2017
Snowhite Hospitality is a Total Solution provider for 25 years for procurement, design & project management for new construction, renovation projects for FF&E and OS&E.Snowhite offers expanded services and is very diverse having completed various projects within each flag. Snowhite has on site twelve model rooms available for viewing, which may be changed to accommodate a particular scheme for model room review. Snowhite is comprised of comprehensive and experienced design and project management teams that are responsible for creating and designing scheme(s) to fit within the owner’s vision and expectations as well as being involved from the initial budgeting phase to the completion of the project with the ultimate goal of meeting all delivery deadlines and never compromising the targeted opening date. Their in-house professional project specialists are also responsible for coordinating all phases of the project into one seamless process, which is the most cost effective and efficient to the client.

Davalor Mold

Acquisition in 2016
Davalor Mold is a full-service provider specializing in injection-molding plastic products primarily for the automotive market. With over twenty-seven years of experience, the company is dedicated to delivering high-quality products and superior customer service. Operating from a 125,000-square-foot facility in Chesterfield Township, Michigan, Davalor Mold employs over 180 people and is committed to utilizing advanced technology, including automation, to enhance its manufacturing processes. The company's capabilities encompass improved volume molding, prototype production, and in-house tooling, ensuring that it meets the diverse needs of its customers efficiently and effectively.

Grand Equipment

Acquisition in 2015
Grand Equipment Company LLC is a multi-line construction equipment dealer based in Hudsonville, Michigan, specializing in the sale and rental of new and pre-owned heavy machinery. The company offers a diverse range of equipment, including excavators, wheel loaders, track loaders, and materials handling machinery, as well as trailers and various attachment tools. Additionally, Grand Equipment serves as a vendor for both OEM and aftermarket parts, providing essential components such as undercarriage parts, rubber tracks, and filtration products. The company also offers repair and maintenance services, along with transportation of heavy equipment across Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. With a commitment to quality and customer service, Grand Equipment has established itself as a trusted partner for construction and industrial professionals throughout the Midwest. Founded in 2000, the company has grown significantly and is recognized as one of the largest dealers in its sector within Michigan.

Dickinson Press

Acquisition in 2015
Founded in 1884, Dickinson Press is a leading full service book manufacturer and printing service provider offering a variety of capabilities including sheetfed lithographic printing, heatset web lithographic printing, digital printing, and services such as warehouse and fulfillment services, and perfect binding. The company produces various books and printed materials such as bibles, dictionaries, reference books, children's books, and a variety of other printed literature for the religious, business, education, and other end markets.

Mopec

Acquisition in 2013
Mopec Inc. is a manufacturer of medical equipment and laboratory products tailored for the pathology, histology, necropsy, autopsy, and mortuary industries. Established in 1992 and headquartered in Oak Park, Michigan, the company provides a wide range of products, including dissecting instruments, autopsy accessories, grossing workstations, mortuary refrigerators, and custom equipment. Mopec's offerings also encompass autopsy saws, dissection tables, and various mortuary storage solutions, designed to meet the specific operational needs of its clients. By focusing on quality and precision, Mopec serves laboratories and facilities worldwide, ensuring they have the necessary tools to perform essential functions in their respective fields.

Amtech Corporation

Acquisition in 2009
Amtech Corporation is a manufacturer specializing in composite-based products and parts, established in 1987. The company operates two specialized plants in Washington and employs a skilled workforce. Amtech offers a range of services including fiberglass production, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum assist RTM (VARTM), and vacuum-form plastics, both large and small. Additionally, it provides finishing, value-added assembly, and custom packaging solutions. The company serves a diverse clientele across military, food services, transportation, industrial, and construction sectors, leveraging its design, engineering, and research and development expertise to meet the needs of various markets.
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