Cardinal Equity Partners

Cardinal Equity Partners is a multi-family owned investment firm with a mission to acquire controlling interest in a small number of middle-market businesses located in the eastern half of the United States. With over 20 years of experience in acquiring and building middle-market businesses, we have a demonstrated track record of utilizing our collective operating, marketing, and financial backgrounds to help management teams grow and build companies of value. As private investors utilizing our own capital, we do not have the same liquidity pressures that a Fund-based investor has, thereby allowing us to view each of our investments as a long-term commitment towards building an enduring, profitable business.

John F. Ackerman

Managing Director

Peter Munson

Managing Director

James L. Smeltzer

Managing Director

11 past transactions

Wild Sports

Acquisition in 2017
Wild Sports is the exclusive manufacturer and leading provider of licensed tailgating & outdoor games as well as home/ office products since 2004. The company maintains licenses with the NFL, MLB, NHL, CLC, LRG and Independent Colleges. Their product collections are the perfect fit for the fanatical sports fan, student, parent or graduate. Wild Sports product delivers family fun to all whether you're at the beach, picnic or simply entertaining in your backyard. Their customer service team makes sure that order processing, product delivery, and customer satisfaction standards are met. Their warehouse and fulfillment center consists of diligent workers who strive for excellence in shipping timeliness and order fulfillment. We hope that you love our products as much as they do and look forward to your business!

Eagle Battery

Acquisition in 2017
Eagle Battery, LLC collects, purchases, and reprocesses used lead acid batteries. It reprocesses automotive batteries, wheel weights, soft lead batteries, and industrial/forklift batteries. The company also sells reconditioned lead acid batteries throughout North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It serves businesses and consumers. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Muncie, Indiana.

Corporate Imaging Concepts

Acquisition in 2013
CIC’s platform provides a streamlined, turnkey solution for the distribution of branded merchandise.

Essco

Acquisition in 2012
Essco Inc. is a distributor of vacuum cleaners and floor care products in the United States, catering to both residential and commercial markets. Founded in 1924 and based in Twinsburg, Ohio, with an additional office in Sparks, Nevada, the company provides a wide range of products including vacuum accessories, air purifiers, carpet extractors, and various cleaning supplies. Essco serves independent dealers, specialty distributors, and e-commerce retailers, offering comprehensive customer support through its distribution centers and service representatives. The company also supplies commercial cleaning products such as mops, buckets, and odor control solutions, ensuring a diverse portfolio to meet various cleaning needs.

Williams Sound

Acquisition in 2011
Williams Sound, LLC, is a privately held, U.S. company located in Eden Prairie, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis / St. Paul. The company was founded in 1976. We manufacture many of our products in our Eden Prairie plant and supplement our U.S. production with local sub-contractors and overseas partners. We also distribute select products from reputable suppliers that complement our own products, and we import carefully qualified accessory items such as earphones, headphones, and microphones.

Contour Industries

Acquisition in 2011
Contour Industries, Inc. manufactures and markets glass products. It offers appliance and interior glass products (appliance refrigeration, cooking, laundry, and kitchen and bath interior glasses), commercial lighting and display glass products, building products glass products (window and door, and commercial railing glasses), and solar glass products (photovoltaic and thin film solar glasses). The company also provides services in the areas of glass design consulting, graphic design, silk screen building, glass tempering, bent tempered glass, and heat soak testing aspects. It serves appliance, solar, lighting, aquarium, millwork, display, and building products markets. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Surgoinsville, Tennessee.

Motion Tech Automation

Acquisition in 2010
Motion Tech Automation provides motion control services to solve your most complex challenges and accelerate your growth.Using world-class processes and best-in-class technology, we help you reduce your costs, shorten lead times, and bring more innovative products to market. When your organization is stuck, we have the solutions to put you in motion.

Advanced Physical Therapy

Venture Round in 2009
Advanced Physical Therapy is the largest privately held provider of outpatient allied health services in the state of Indiana, with 17 clinics and 150 employees. Locally owned and operated by a physical therapist, this company has steadily grown and developed since 1985. The cornerstone for success has always been exceptional people providing excellent care.

Furminator

Acquisition in 2008
Furminator is a manufacturer and retailer of pet care products based in Blacksburg, Virginia. The company specializes in deShedding solutions, with its flagship product being a patented deShedding comb designed to safely remove loose hair from an animal’s undercoat, significantly reducing shedding. In addition to this, Furminator offers a comprehensive range of grooming products, including brushes, combs, shampoos, conditioners, waterless sprays, nail care items, and hair collectors. These products aim to help pet owners manage shedding and maintain their pets' coat health, while also minimizing pet hair around the home.

Guardian Pharmacy

Acquisition in 2003
Guardian Pharmacy specializes in providing pharmaceutical services to various healthcare settings, including assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes, correctional institutions, hospice programs, and behavioral health group homes. The company offers a comprehensive range of technology-enabled services aimed at ensuring that residents adhere to their prescribed medication regimens. By focusing on individualized clinical support, drug dispensing, and administration, Guardian Pharmacy seeks to enhance care quality and improve clinical outcomes while also reducing overall healthcare costs. Its tailored approach is particularly beneficial for residents in lower acuity long-term care facilities, where personalized attention is essential for effective medication management.

Aqua Systems

Acquisition in 1997
Aqua Systems, operating as New Aqua, L.L.C., specializes in the design, manufacture, and marketing of water treatment solutions for commercial and industrial applications. The company offers a range of products, including water softening systems, various filtration systems, reverse osmosis units, deionization systems, and disinfection solutions. Additionally, Aqua Systems provides bottled drinking water, coolers, dispensers, and water softener salt. With retail locations in Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Montana, and Nebraska, Aqua Systems caters to both residential and commercial customers. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Avon, Indiana, the company has established a strong presence in the water treatment industry.