Next Step Partners' Investment Philosophy
Next Step Partners LLC seeks to partner with strong middle-market companies seeking to accelerate growth and/or transition ownership, while honoring organizational capabilities. Privately-held businesses play a critical role in the U.S. economy. Business owners, their leadership teams, and their employees contribute passion and unique capabilities that ensure long-term competitiveness. We are focused on complementing the team's capabilities and investing where our expertise, professional network and resources can make a difference. Our objective is to honor a company's legacy, value its employees, and increase value over the long-term.
We believe in the value of strong teams in driving major strategy and ownership transition efforts. As companies, market conditions, and leadership teams embark on their "next step," newly engaged leadership, enhanced industry experience, and other targeted resources can help move companies forward and protect valuable legacy capabilities. Next Step Partners, led by Bill Koehler with his network of experienced investment partners, wants to help business owners achieve their objectives.
Target Opportunity Profile
We seek opportunities to build upon the success of current owner(s) and management teams to drive operational and financial performance as they embark on their "next step" of growth and an ownership transition. We are most attracted to situations where we can help accelerate revenue growth and cash flow generation through enhanced strategic alignment, targeted investments, and effective use of capital. Because of our operational experience and professional network, we are not afraid to take on operational challenges that inhibit organizational growth and profitability.
Target Industries
Bill Koehler has direct leadership experience in financial services and people-intensive business models as well as investment/board experience in a range of industries. His professional network and value-added investor relationships include with leaders of manufacturing and technology-intensive businesses. Together, we have the ability to build a team that understands strategy, operational, human capital, and financial needs of companies across a range of industries. Our objective is to build a team of active investors who are committed to the long-term success of companies, their leadership teams, and their employees.
Financial Services/Fintech/Business Services
Advanced Manufacturing (metals, plastics, high-value assembly)
Specialty Chemicals
Specialty Packaging