Markel Ventures, Inc. is the private equity arm of Markel Corporation, focused on investing in companies outside the insurance sector. Founded in 2005 and based in Glen Allen, Virginia, the firm specializes in mature buyouts, industry consolidation, and growth capital. It typically targets companies with EBITDA between $25 million and $100 million for platform acquisitions, offering a majority stake of at least 80 percent in its investments. Markel Ventures employs a long-term investment strategy, financing acquisitions with permanent capital and minimal to no debt, which allows for operational flexibility. Its portfolio includes businesses across the manufacturing, consumer, business services, financial services, and healthcare sectors, all of which operate independently while benefiting from the overarching support of Markel Corporation. The firm is committed to a "buy, build, and hold" philosophy, with no plans for future exits from its investments.
Nephila Capital Limited, founded in 1997 and based in Hamilton, Bermuda, is an investment manager that specializes in reinsurance risk. The firm provides a variety of investment products aimed at the catastrophe reinsurance and weather risk transfer markets. Its offerings include insurance-linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance swaps, and weather derivatives. Utilizing proprietary systems and analytical platforms, along with the expertise of its team, Nephila enables large institutional investors and clients to effectively address their investment needs in these specialized areas.
Costa Farms operates as a producer of ornamental plants. Founded in 1961 by Jose Costa, Costa Farms is a third-generation, family-owned business that stretches over 4,000 acres globally and employs nearly 5,000 people.
State National Companies specialty provider of property and casualty insurance operating in two niche markets across the United States. In its Lender Services segment, the company specializes in providing collateral protection insurance, which insures personal automobiles and other vehicles held as collateral for loans made by credit unions, banks and specialty finance companies. In its Program Services segment, the Company leverages its “A” (Excellent) A.M. Best rating, expansive licenses and reputation to provide access to the U.S. property and casualty insurance market in exchange for ceding fees.
Next Insurance Inc. is an online insurance agency focused on providing tailored insurance products and services to small businesses. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the company offers a range of insurance options, including business, general liability, professional liability, commercial auto, and workers’ compensation coverage. Next Insurance serves a diverse clientele, including contractors, fitness professionals, cleaning services, beauty establishments, therapists, educators, and various other sectors. The company leverages technology to streamline the insurance purchasing process, eliminating the need for agents and reducing costs, thereby offering affordable pricing. Additionally, Next Insurance emphasizes quick claims processing, often making decisions within 48 hours to enhance transparency and support for its clients.
Allsport Insurance Marketing Ltd, a managing general agent, provides insurance solutions to Canadians for sports, leisure, and recreation activities. It offers insurance solutions in the areas of sport liability, sport accident, travel medical, special events, user groups, and optional coverage. The company also provides risk management services, such as loss control programs; and waivers. It offers its solutions for sports associations; and recreation, family, and community celebrations for user groups and special events. The company was founded in 1987 and is based in Burnaby, Canada. Allsport Insurance Marketing Ltd operates as a subsidiary of Markel Canada Limited.
SureTec is one of the largest privately owned surety companies in the US. SureTec’s largest subsidiary, SureTec Insurance Company, is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. In partnership with professional surety producers and independent agents, the company has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, and Orange County, California. SureTec operates in 50 states and has one international affiliate.
CapTech Ventures, Inc. is an information technology management consulting company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 1997 by Sandy Williamson and Slaughter Fitz-Hugh, the firm has grown significantly from its initial revenue of $380,000 to millions, establishing itself as a leading private IT consultancy in the region. CapTech offers a variety of services in technology, customer experience, data and analytics, and transformation. It caters to a diverse client base across multiple sectors, including banking and financial services, energy and utilities, retail and consumer goods, healthcare and life sciences, travel and hospitality, and government and public services in the United States. The company operates additional offices in several major cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. CapTech has achieved its growth through strong client partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service, remaining privately held without outside investor support.
Vanderpol Baking Systems is a Netherlands-based designer and manufacturer of baking equipment, specializing in the development of waffle production lines, ovens, and handling equipment. The company aims to be recognized globally as a professional and flexible organization that delivers high-quality solutions at competitive prices. With a strong focus on achieving the perfect waffle, Vanderpol combines advanced oven technology with skilled food engineering. Drawing on a rich heritage from the waffle-making traditions of the Netherlands and Belgium, Vanderpol is committed to ensuring that its clients' production processes run smoothly from start to finish.
Den Boer Baking Systems is a designer and manufacturer of baking equipment, specializing in high-quality tunnel ovens and a variety of related products, including waffle and handling equipment. With over a century of experience in oven construction, the company aims to be recognized globally for its professionalism and flexibility while providing competitively priced solutions. Den Boer Baking Systems places significant emphasis on customer service, offering 24/7 support for practical advice, training, and on-site assistance, thereby enhancing the value of its offerings.
Cottrell, Inc. is a manufacturer of over-the-road automobile transport and car hauler equipment, operating primarily in the United States and internationally, including markets in Mexico, Canada, South America, Australia, and South Africa. Founded in 1975 and based in Gainesville, Georgia, the company specializes in a range of products such as high sideframe trailers, low sideframe trailers, hi mount trailers, enclosed transporters, and aftermarket parts and accessories. Cottrell distributes its products through a network of dealers across various locations in the United States and Canada, and it also provides car hauler refurbishment services. The company is recognized for its commitment to quality and customer service, supported by a solid financial foundation and ongoing investments in product development.
Alterra Capital Holdings is a Bermuda-based provider of reinsurance for both the life and annuity, including disability, and property and casualty insurance markets. They differentiate ourselves by offering structured reinsurance products in both markets and by targeting superior risk-adjusted returns from our diversified investment portfolio. To better manage their reinsurance liability exposure, allocate their investments and assess their overall risk, we model they underwriting and investments on an integrated basis. They believe that this strategy will allow us to generate a superior return on equity compared to others in their industry.
Reading Bakery Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes industrial systems for the production of bakery products. It offers mixing, dough handling and forming, auxiliary, baking, and drying equipment, as well as bread snack systems, biscuit systems, cracker systems, continuous mixing systems, potato snack systems, pretzel systems, and control systems. The company also offers parts, upgrades/retrofits, used equipment, and data logging measurement systems. Reading Bakery’s products are used for producing biscuits, crackers, pretzels, bread snack foods, cookies, and fabricated potato chips. The company serves baked snacks, sweet goods, pizza, tortillas, pet treats, and bread and bun industries, as well as snack food manufacturers worldwide. It was formerly known as Reading Pretzel Machinery Corp and changed its name to Reading Bakery Systems, Inc. in 1999. Reading Bakery Systems, Inc. was founded in 1947 and is based in Robesonia, Pennsylvania with warehouses and manufacturing plants in Robesonia, Pennsylvania; and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Havco Wood Products LLC manufactures oak hardwood flooring for trailers, truck bodies, and containers. It offers fusion floors and laminated oak floors, as well as water-based floor treatments for floors. Havco Wood Products LLC was founded in 1978 and is based in Scott City, Missouri with additional facilities in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Vonore, Tennessee.
Weldship is a manufacturer and supplier that focuses on storage and transportation equipment for the industrial and specialty gas industries. The company produces a variety of products, including high-pressure tube trailers, ISO-certified containers, and industrial gas ground storage tubes. By providing these specialized products, Weldship ensures the careful handling and delivery of industrial gases and chemicals, catering to the unique needs of its clients in this sector. Additionally, the company offers leasing options for its equipment, further enhancing its service capabilities.
PartnerMD, LLC is a concierge medical practice based in Richmond, Virginia, specializing in primary care and executive health services for both individual and corporate clients. Founded in 2003, the company operates multiple offices throughout Virginia, including locations in Richmond, McLean, and Midlothian. PartnerMD offers a membership-based model that ensures a lower doctor-patient ratio, fostering stronger relationships and allowing for more personalized care. Services include executive physicals, corporate wellness programs, health goals monitoring, and direct communication with healthcare providers. Additionally, the practice provides access to in-office nutritionists and exercise physiologists, as well as consolidated electronic medical records, enabling patients to manage their health effectively under expert supervision.
RetailData LLC is a provider of real-time retail market intelligence services, offering solutions such as competitive price shops, price scan verification, and retail compliance. The company also develops custom applications, including private label product linking and the RetailData Analytical Suite. Established in 1988 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, RetailData collects retail information through a network of professionals across the United States, Puerto Rico, and select Canadian provinces. Its services cater to a diverse range of sectors, including retail food and drug channels, grocery wholesalers, mass merchants, office and pet supply stores, club stores, and consumer electronics retailers.
Solbern, LLC manufactures and supplies industrial food processing equipment to the food industry. It offers liquid fillers, solid fillers, briners, and dough folders; and pickle packers, automatic spear packers, spear cutters, slab slicers and fillers, and other equipment. The company also provides parts and services. It sells its products through its sales staff in the United States; and a network of sales agents internationally. Solbern, LLC is based in Fairfield, New Jersey.
Markel Eagle Partners is a Virginia-based real estate asset manager established in 2009, specializing in distressed investments. With a combined 130 years of experience, the firm focuses on identifying solutions to real estate challenges through strategic capital application, execution, and risk mitigation. Unlike traditional approaches that merely aim to acquire distressed assets, Markel Eagle Partners prioritizes the development and enhancement of existing properties, leveraging both financial and operational expertise. The firm is committed to long-term real estate planning and professional execution. Its inaugural fund invests in ventures primarily located in the Mid-Atlantic region, including notable projects such as West Broad Village, an upscale commercial and residential community spanning 115 acres and valued at $300 million in Henrico, Virginia.
Ellicott Dredges is a designer and manufacturer of portable dredging equipment, primarily serving governments, contractors, miners, and marine operators. The company specializes in cutter suction dredges, which are utilized for various applications including environmental remediation, sand and gravel mining, and dredging in ports, harbors, and waterways. Additionally, Ellicott Dredges focuses on coastal restoration projects, aiming to effectively remove solid materials from underwater environments and transport them to designated locations. With a commitment to providing suitable dredging solutions, the company emphasizes understanding the specific working conditions of each project to optimize performance and cost-effectiveness.
Panel Specialists, Inc. designs and manufactures a diverse range of interior building products tailored for various markets, including wall panel systems, marine panels, custom medical casework, and residential life furniture. The company offers wall panel solutions featuring materials such as high pressure laminates, wood veneers, metal laminates, and resin surfaces, suitable for applications in reception areas, hallways, classrooms, and more. Additionally, Panel Specialists provides contract manufacturing services, which encompass lamination, cutting, edge profiling, drilling, assembly, and packaging. Established in 1990 and headquartered in Temple, Texas, the company employs a skilled workforce, including engineers and project managers, to meet the unique needs of its clients and deliver value-engineered solutions.
ParkLand Ventures, Inc. is engaged in the acquisition and operation of manufactured housing communities across the United States. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, the company has established properties in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. In addition to managing these communities, ParkLand Ventures also markets and finances homes for its residents. The company is dedicated to providing exceptional housing value through attractive manufactured homes at various price points. ParkLand Ventures invests significant resources into enhancing its communities, aiming to create environments that appeal to residents and offer compelling value compared to other options in the market.
AMF Bakery Systems Inc. specializes in manufacturing automated bakery equipment, providing a comprehensive range of solutions for the baking industry. The company offers an extensive portfolio that includes dough systems, make-up systems, proofing and baking systems, cooling systems, packaging systems, and product handling solutions. Their automated bakery equipment addresses all stages of the baking process, from dough mixing and dividing to baking, cooling, and packaging. AMF Bakery Systems also delivers project management services to support the installation and maintenance of these systems. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company has established a global presence, with offices and manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. Through its commitment to quality and innovation, AMF Bakery Systems serves a diverse customer base, ensuring efficient operations in high-speed bread, bun, and soft roll baking.
Terra Nova Holdings Ltd
Acquisition in 1999
Terra Nova Holdings Ltd provides insurance underwriting services for specialty property, casualty, marine, and aviation insurance.
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