Paragon Private Equity

Optigen Ingredients is a prominent supplier of raw materials in Australia and New Zealand, specializing in nutritional health, pharmaceutical products, functional foods, and animal health. The company manufactures and distributes a diverse range of ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbal and botanical extracts, specialty oils (marine and vegetable), natural sweeteners, and encapsulating aids. Optigen Ingredients focuses on providing safe and effective solutions tailored to meet specific customer needs, supported by their expertise in sales, procurement, research and development, and manufacturing. Through their commitment to timely delivery and innovative offerings, they have established a solid reputation in the industry.

AEM Cores is a prominent manufacturer specializing in Transformer Core Technology, with over 45 years of experience in the field. The company focuses on the research and development, manufacturing of Unicore Machinery, production of test equipment, and supply of magnetic cores, particularly for distribution, voltage, and general-purpose transformers. AEM is recognized globally as a leader in Unicore technology, which offers advantages such as reduced losses, efficient manufacturing, and simplified assembly. The Unicore Machines developed by AEM have been sold extensively, providing customers with flexibility, accuracy, and reliability while eliminating the need for fixed tooling. AEM's dedicated research and development team plays a crucial role in advancing innovations in Transformer Core Technology, ensuring high-efficiency products for its clients.

Cowell Electric Supply Pty Ltd. is a powerline construction and electrical contracting company based in Cowell, South Australia, with additional offices in Olympic Dam and Woomera. Established in 1928, the company specializes in providing a comprehensive range of services to the mining, gas, and power industries. Its offerings include the design and construction of overhead and underground powerlines, high and low voltage installations, substation construction and maintenance, as well as electrical engineering, plumbing, refrigeration, instrumentation, and communications. Cowell Electric is involved in all phases of project development, from consultation and design to installation, maintenance, and audits. The company prides itself on its local workforce while also leveraging support from national operations for larger projects. It operates as a subsidiary of Ahrens Group Pty Ltd.

Levett Engineering is a world leading precision component manufacturer with an Australian and International client base that includes the Defence, Aerospace, Medical, Electronics and Commercial Engineering sectors. Levett Engineering conforms to international Quality Standards for all aerospace, defence and commercially manufactured components and is ITAR compliant*. In addition to its exacting operational benchmarks, the Levett name is renowned throughout the engineering industry for its product quality, integrity and value. With its reputation as a preferred employer, Levett Engineering employs the highest skilled craftsmen with an unwavering commitment to product quality and on-time delivery. The team uses state-of-the-art high-performance equipment from the world’s leading suppliers to produce machined components. Component manufacturing for defence aviation, aerospace, aeronautical and electrical engineering is considered the pinnacle of advanced manufacturing and an industry of the future. As a leader and key investor in this field, Levett Engineering is committed to helping transform and diversify South Australia into an export focused advanced manufacturing state. Levett Engineering conforms to the AS9100 Rev C Quality Standard for aerospace and defence manufactured components with ITAR compliance. The company also conforms to ISO 9001 2008 Quality Standards as a minimum for all customer requirements.

BresaGen is a developer of proteins and peptides, especially biogenerics. In October 2006, BresaGen was sold to Hospira Inc of the US, and Paragon made a 2.35x return on investment, and 135% IRR. Hospira acquired the company to further develop BresaGen’s intellectual property, and to distribute its products in the US.

KEE Technologies is a manufacturer of guidance and auto steering systems for tractors. Paragon funded the company’s expansion into the United States. In September 2006, KEE Technologies was sold to Topcon, a Japanese/American company. Topcon acquired the company to access its North American distribution and to integrate KEE’s products with its own.