Each year, we are grateful for the opportunity to invest in market leading companies alongside outstanding management teams. In 2023, we accomplished a great deal in both investments and firmwide initiatives. We invested in one new platform company in our Business and Technology Services sector, Tech 24, that we believe is emblematic of our thematic approach. We also partnered closely with existing portfolio company management teams to drive significant growth, both organically and through acquisitions, completing a total of nine add-ons in 2023. We recruited and elevated top-tier talent, optimized our strategic/executive network, and deepened our industry expertise to drive value at our portfolio companies. In November 2023, we were pleased to announce the sale of Edward Don, a leading national distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies to restaurant, hospitality, and institutional food service customers, to Sysco. We continue to prioritize returning capital back to our investors and co-investors.

We take pride in our impact, seen not just in our portfolio but also through our vital ESG and DEI programs. Rooted in integrity, transparency, and respect, we value diverse perspectives and impact-oriented investment approaches.

As we move into 2024, we see a landscape shaped by recent economic challenges, offering new opportunities for innovative and impactful investments. Despite ongoing shifts in interest rates, geopolitical uncertainties, and supply chain disruptions, we remain confident in our strategy’s resilience across market cycles. We approach the coming year with optimism, knowing that our team and partners are well-equipped to navigate whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we embark on this journey together.

Your Partners at Vestar

New Platform Investments

In 2023, Vestar invested in Tech24, a leading commercial kitchen equipment repair and maintenance services platform. Based on Vestar’s thematic expertise, we believe Tech24 has a number of attractive organic and inorganic growth opportunities, which Vestar is well positioned to help the Company pursue.

Learn more

Portfolio Activity

Beyond our new investments, we partnered closely with our existing portfolio company management teams to drive significant growth, both organically and through acquisition. We completed 9 acquisitions, welcomed new management leaders, and promoted growth, innovation, and optimization initiatives. We will continue our efforts to support and accelerate the potential of our portfolio investments.

Realization

We are pleased to announce that in November 2023 Vestar completed the sale of Edward Don, a leading national distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies to restaurant, hospitality, and institutional foodservice customers, to Sysco. Vestar partnered with CEO Steve Don and the Don family in 2017 as the first institutional capital in a business that had been family owned and operated since 1921. The investment was an outgrowth of Vestar’s thematic focus in foodservice and route based services, as well as the firm’s history of investing in founder- and family- owned businesses. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Don management team, and thank them for their strong strategic leadership and impressive execution which led to this successful outcome.

Learn more

The Vestar Family

During 2023, Wilson Orr and Ian Singleton were promoted to Principal, Alyssa Stropoli was promoted to Vice President, Grace Phillips and Caroline Ptacek were promoted to Senior Associate, and Akshat Nagori was promoted to Associate. These individuals have played an integral part in Vestar’s success, and we look forward to all they will accomplish in their new roles.

We are also pleased to share the new additions to the Vestar team. Please join us in welcoming them!

Our Commitment to ESG & DEI

At Vestar, we are committed to being best-in-class in our ESG & DEI programs. We proudly uphold our ESG pledge to promote DEI principles with transparency and accountability at the firmwide and portfolio level.

Vestar Charitable Foundation

Seeded by the firm, our Foundation seeks to sponsor impactful causes and match employee charitable contributions. This year, we are excited to support these new organizations:

Three diverse young women with laptops

Diverse Recruiting Initiatives

We partner with Seizing Every Opportunity (“SEO”) Scholars and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (“MLT”) to provide career opportunities for students from underserved backgrounds.

Firmwide Volunteer Day

In 2023, the Vestar team helped pack 1,500 bags of apples and oranges for City Harvest, one of our partners we sponsor through the Vestar Foundation. We are proud to volunteer locally and help our community combat food insecurity.

— Ken O’Keefe, Kimberly Lu, and Alyssa Stropoli