Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about working with Amalgam Capital

For Business Owners

What types of companies does Amalgam acquire?

We focus on businesses with $25-250M in revenue and $5-30M in EBITDA in industrial services, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare services, and tech-enabled B2B operations. We're particularly interested in founder/family transitions, companies with growth potential, and operationally challenged businesses that would benefit from our hands-on approach.

How is Amalgam different from traditional private equity?

Unlike traditional financial buyers, we're operators first and investors second. Our team has built, run, and transformed businesses from the ground up, giving us unique insight into owners' challenges. Our independent sponsor model allows for flexible deal structures tailored to each situation, and our operational expertise means we can create value through business improvements rather than financial engineering.

What happens to my company's brand and identity after acquisition?

We believe in preserving the legacy you've built. As demonstrated with our MechanAir platform, we maintain regional brands and identities while providing access to shared resources, technology, and capital for growth. Our goal is to build upon your success, not erase your history.

How involved will Amalgam be in day-to-day operations?

Our involvement varies based on the company's needs and the management team's preferences. We can be as hands-on as needed, stepping into interim roles during transitions or providing more strategic guidance for stable operations. We all focus on collaborative partnership rather than dictating decisions from afar.

What is your typical investment timeline?

We typically hold investments for 4-7 years, aligning with natural business cycles rather than artificial fund deadlines. This allows us to implement sustainable improvements and pursue strategic growth opportunities without rushing for a quick exit.

For Investors

What's your edge in sourcing proprietary deals?

Our reputation as operators-first investors and our SLKone consulting heritage gives us unique access to opportunities. Over 70% of our deal flow comes through proprietary channels or limited processes, reducing competition and allowing for more reasonable entry valuations. Business owners and their advisors seek us out based on our operational credibility and approach to legacy preservation.

How do you create value beyond multiple expansion?

Our value creation approach focuses on tangible operational improvements:

  • Implementing lean methodologies to enhance productivity
  • Optimizing working capital to improve cash flow
  • Enhancing pricing strategies to improve margins
  • Streamlining supply chains to reduce costs and lead times
  • Expanding service offerings to drive organic growth
  • Executing strategic add-on acquisitions

These initiatives generate value regardless of market conditions or multiple trends.

What's your approach to leverage?

We maintain conservative capital structures that provide operations and strategic growth flexibility. While we utilize appropriate leverage, we're not dependent on financial engineering to generate returns. Our target companies typically maintain debt levels of 2.5-3.5x EBITDA, emphasizing free cash flow generation to rapidly de-lever post-acquisition.

How do you mitigate execution risk in your operational improvements?

Several factors differentiate our approach:

  • Our partners have personally implemented the improvements we target
  • We develop detailed 100-day plans before closing
  • We can deploy SLKone resources to accelerate critical initiatives
  • Our partners actively engage in implementation alongside management
  • We use a phased approach that balances quick wins with strategic initiatives
  • We implement robust tracking systems to measure progress and adjust course

How do you structure co-investment opportunities?

We offer flexible co-investment structures tailored to partner preferences. These range from direct co-investment in specific transactions to programmatic relationships across multiple deals. In all cases, we maintain significant GP commitment to ensure perfect alignment with our investment partners.

For Portfolio Company Management & Employees

How involved will Amalgam be in day-to-day operations?

Our involvement varies based on the company's needs and management team's preferences. We're not passive investors, but we also don't believe in micromanagement. Typically, we work closely with leadership on strategic initiatives, provide resources to support key projects, and help implement specific operational improvements. Our goal is to be valuable partners, not disruptive overseers.

What resources will be available to help grow our business?

Beyond capital, Amalgam portfolio companies benefit from:

  • Access to SLKone's consulting expertise across operations, finance, and strategy
  • Our partners' hands-on assistance with specific improvement initiatives
  • Connections to our network of industry experts and potential customers
  • Best practices shared across portfolio companies
  • Talent development programs and leadership coaching

How do you measure success in your portfolio companies?

We look beyond financial metrics to evaluate portfolio company performance:

  • Sustainable revenue and EBITDA growth
  • Operational KPIs specific to each business
  • Customer satisfaction and retention
  • Employee engagement and development
  • Innovation and adaptation to market changes
  • Position as an employer of choice in the industry

Will our company's identity change after the acquisition?

We recognize the value in the brands and identities our portfolio companies have built. As demonstrated with our MechanAir platform, we typically maintain established names and regional identities while providing the benefits of being part of a larger organization. Any branding changes are made collaboratively with management based on strategic considerations.

How do you approach adding new team members?

We believe in promoting from within whenever possible while strategically adding talent to support growth objectives. We work closely with existing management to identify organizational needs and ensure cultural fit with any new hires. Our approach focuses on building capabilities, not replacing people.

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