Investment Philosophy
Partners with Management
Investing behind great management teams is a cornerstone of our philosophy. We listen, strategize, and support our partners as we pursue our shared goals.
“Together with the Sun Products team we developed a winning strategy, leveraging our unique business model, which included both national and retailer brands. In one of the most intensely competitive categories in consumer products, Vestar's support was unwavering. The turnaround of the business, and strong subsequent support, led to keen interest from strategic acquirers and a positive outcome for investors and employees.”
Jeffrey Ansell, Former Chairman & CEO and Current Vestar
Senior Advisor
“The highly productive nature of our partnership with Vestar is best evidenced by the successful completion of five acquisitions that significantly broadened our product and service offerings. We are grateful for the Vestar team’s commitment to ISS and its clients around the globe over the course of our partnership.”
Gary Retelny, CEO
“Since partnering with us in 2017, Vestar has led and supported two key strategic add-on acquisitions, has helped us build out our executive team with new skills and experiences while establishing a world-class board of seasoned industry executives, and has been a consistent supporter of re-investing into the business.”
John Weis, Co-Founder & President
“The Woodstream and Vestar collaboration has been one of the best partnerships I have personally experienced in working with private equity for over 12 years. Together we built a strategic, consumer-driven asset, achieving meaningful appreciation in sales and growth that led to a successful realization for everyone.”
Miguel Nistal, CEO
“It is hard to overstate how important it is to have the support of your key stakeholders. At every step of navigating the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vestar provided proactive and creative support for key decisions, and expressed continuous confidence in the team’s ability to guide the company to
safer waters.”
Keith Dougherty, CEO
“Our relationship with Vestar was exceptional. They were a partner that enabled growth, strategic direction and most importantly trust. Vestar not only understood our business, but really recognized who we are as a company. The Vestar team saw our vision and helped us achieve our goals, setting the business up for continued success to this day.”
Rich Scalise, Founder and CEO
“We chose to work with Vestar because the team was fully aligned with our vision of changing the way America eats, has the CPG expertise and connections to help us take our business to the next level, and will allow us to continue operating as an independent entity with the same clean-food principles that have driven our growth.”
Katlin Smith, Founder & CEO