On November 10, 2022, Valesco closed its fourteenth platform investment out of Valesco Fund II. Headquartered in Elyria, OH, North American Kitchen Solutions, Inc. (“NAKS”, “HoodMart”, or the “Company”) is the leading omni-channel, factory-direct one-stop-shop supplier of customized commercial kitchen hoods, fire suppression systems, fans, and other complementary products. In addition to brick-and-mortar kitchen equipment, the Company maintains a market-leading position for food truck ventilation systems. The Company’s strong management team and exceptional digital marketing platform further position NAKS for continued growth within the industry.

“We are very excited and proud to have the opportunity to partner with Valesco Industries. NAKS and its brands are poised for growth,” said CEO of NAKS, Sacha Polakoff. “With Valesco’s talented and experienced leadership team, the NAKS platform will be taken to the next level while remaining true to the core values that got the Company to where it is today.”

Valesco is supporting a majority buyout of the previous ownership group, partnering with the existing management team and our investment partner, Centerfield Capital Partners, to capitalize on the Company’s exceptional market position. Additionally, Valesco has identified substantial growth opportunities via new product development, strategic location expansion, and new customer acquisition. Subordinated debt was provided by Valesco and its co-investors, and a senior term loan and revolver were funded by a senior lender who is also an investor in Valesco Fund III. Citizens Capital Markets, Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to NAKS.

Valesco continues to seek investment opportunities to provide equity and subordinated debt for control buyout, recapitalization, minority, management buyout, and mezzanine situations from Valesco Fund II. NAKS embodies the objective that we seek to achieve throughout our investment process: to identify and execute the optimal solution for the business, existing owners, and Valesco. We are thrilled to partner with NAKS and its management team to position the Company for continued success.

About Valesco

Valesco is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm that focuses on making control and non-control investments in select growth-oriented small- and lower- middle-market businesses engaged in manufacturing, distribution, and business-to-business services. Valesco specializes in partnering with a company’s management team to support its growth objectives. As long-term industry veterans, the principals have capitalized and built numerous successful businesses, serving those companies in varying roles as investors, managers, advisors, and directors.