-
“Partnering with Valesco to recapitalize my business was one of the best decisions I have ever made. They are sharp businesspeople who truly understand the levers of growth and profitability, and the foremost importance of taking care of customers. They are good human beings and have a great culture of partnership and collaboration. I will always appreciate the chapters they helped us write; we will truly miss them and can honestly call them friends.”
Jeff Huntley, Sr – CEO, T-H Marine
OPERATIONS TEAM:
Patrick Floeck | Jack Sadden | Grant Norris
T-H Marine Supplies is a market leader in the recreational marine, boating, and fishing accessories industry. The Company provides parts to every recreational boat platform produced in the United States – including bass boats, offshore fishing boats, pontoon boats, ski boats and runabouts.
In April 2019, Valesco invested in T-H Marine, located in Huntsville, AL. A family-owned and operated business since 1975, they spent the last few decades building the brand into an icon within the fishing and boating industry. Facing its next phase of growth, the family thought the time was right to bring in a partner to reinforce the already strong infrastructure and to help them achieve personal goals beyond the business. Valesco was invited to be that partner. A majority buyout not only provided the family with estate liquidity and security but also left them with meaningful equity and day-to-day operating control to continue their strategy.
During the time of the investment, the company accomplished some monumental changes, including, but not limited, to the following:
- Added essential management team members
- Underwent a significant operational consulting project including margin analysis, SKU rationalization and purchasing optimization
- Grew sales by 140% and EBITDA by 175%
- Completed 5 add-on acquisitions
- Grew aftermarket sales from 30% of revenue to 55% of revenue
- Selected and integrated a new ERP system across all business units and subsidiaries
Valesco worked closely with the management team at T-H to manage through major tariff hikes, a worldwide pandemic and supply chain challenges during the investment period and still managed to accomplish the results above.
At Valesco, we are inspired by high quality, family-founded and operated businesses looking for a partner to help them achieve the next level of growth, and THM has been the poster child for that philosophy. We could not be happier with the partnership and friendship we have built with this company and its people and wish them nothing but success in their future endeavors.