LFM Capital
LFM Capital is a Nashville-based private equity firm founded in 2014 that invests exclusively in lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses across the U.S. and Canada, deploying patient capital and operating expertise to grow platform companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersNashville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LFM Capital does
LFM Capital is a Nashville-based private equity firm founded in 2014 by operators and engineers that invests exclusively in lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses in the United States and Canada. The firm targets companies with at least $3 million of EBITDA and enterprise values between $15 million and $125 million, deploying capital for growth, ownership transitions, and add-on acquisition strategies. Across four funds, LFM has raised more than $1 billion in cumulative committed capital, with Fund IV closing at $462 million in October 2024, and has executed 26 platform investments and 36 add-on investments.
The firm's core "product" is its investment platform, structured around buildable platform companies in distinct manufacturing verticals rather than a single asset class. Active platforms include American Automation Group (industrial automation), Weller Metalworks (metal fabrication, machining, and stamping), Excelis Packaging Automation (packaging machinery, formed from the rebranding of SureKap in December 2024), AttachCo (agricultural and skid steer attachments), plus individual holdings such as Alloy (aerospace/defense precision components), Bergari (exhaust/emissions for data center backup power), L&R Industries (collapsible steel reels), Marcy Laboratories (fragrance contract manufacturing), Vintage Air (aftermarket automotive HVAC), Eclipse Outdoor (shade products), SisTech (PCB assemblies), Current Tools (electrical contractor equipment), APQS (quilting machines), and Diamabrush (concrete polishing).
LFM generates revenue through conventional private equity economics: recurring management fees on committed capital under management plus carried interest on successful portfolio exits. Deal flow is sourced primarily through direct outreach to business owners, investment banking intermediaries, and industry referrals within the manufacturing sector. The firm differentiates via a manufacturing-exclusive focus and an embedded operating partner model, deploying Portfolio CFOs, CMOs, and CHROs, alongside former CEO operating partners, into portfolio companies to drive operational improvement and add-on integration.
LFM Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LFM Capital
- Legal name
- LFM Capital, LLC
- Website
- https://lfmcapital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LFM Capital is a Nashville-based private equity firm founded in 2014 that invests exclusively in lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses across the U.S. and Canada, deploying patient capital and operating expertise to grow platform companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LFM Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Equity — Manufacturing Sector Specialist
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Services (B2B) Growth Equity (FSANACAD)
Keywords
Where LFM Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nashville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LFM Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Management Fees: LFM Capital generates revenue through management fees charged on committed capital under management, typically a percentage of assets under management or invested capital.
- Carried Interest: The firm earns carried interest (performance fees) from successful portfolio company exits, typically a percentage of profits above a hurdle rate returned to LPs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
LFM Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LFM Capital is a private equity firm that acquires and grows lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses in the U.S. and Canada with at least $3 million of EBITDA and enterprise values from $15 million to $125 million. It provides patient capital, operational expertise, and executive leadership resources through platform investments and add-on acquisitions, partnering with management teams to build world-class manufacturing operations.
Product overview
LFM Capital is a Nashville-based private equity firm that operates multiple portfolio company platforms rather than a single product. Their portfolio consists of distinct platform companies organized by industry vertical: American Automation Group (industrial automation with Southern Tooling, Tuttle, and PowerBuilt), Weller Metalworks (metal fabrication/machining/stamping), Excelis Packaging Automation (packaging machinery and parts), AttachCo (agricultural/skid steer attachments), plus individual portfolio companies including Alloy (aerospace precision components), Bergari (exhaust/emissions for data centers), L&R Industries (collapsible steel reels for telecom/data center), Marcy Laboratories (fragrance contract manufacturing), Vintage Air (automotive HVAC), Eclipse Outdoor (shade products), Novex (polyurethane belting), SisTech (PCB assemblies), Current Tools (electrical equipment), APQS (quilting machines), and Diamabrush (concrete polishing products). These operate as independent companies under LFM's investment umbrella.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- American Automation Group (AAG): Industrial automation solutions platform providing automated solutions for manufacturing facilities in diverse end markets.
- Weller Metalworks
- Excelis Packaging Automation
- AttachCo
- SureKap (now Excelis)
Products and services
- American Automation Group (AAG) Industrial automation solutions platform providing automated solutions for manufacturing facilities across diverse end markets, comprising Southern Tooling, Tuttle, and PowerBuilt and offering custom automation, machinery, robotic controls, and process systems.
- Weller Metalworks Metal fabrication, precision machining, and stamping platform offering fabrication, machining, and stamping solutions to OEM and distribution customers globally. Includes Muthig Industries, Laser Precision, and DROP Sprockets.
- Excelis Packaging Automation Full-service packaging automation platform offering equipment, parts, and service for liquid filling, capping, labeling, and material handling in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries.
- AttachCo Agricultural implements and skid steer attachments platform combining CID Attachments, IronCraft, and Eterra brands under unified leadership, serving agricultural and construction end markets.
- Alloy Precision components manufacturer for the aerospace and defense industry, serving commercial and defense applications.
- Bergari Solutions Custom engineered exhaust and emissions systems manufacturer for genset packagers and industrial engine distributors, serving backup power needs in data center and commercial applications.
- L&R Industries Manufacturer of collapsible steel reels and tubing products serving telecom, data center, and utilities end markets; provides metal fabrication, stamping, millwright, crane services, and transportation for industrial operations supporting fiber broadband deployment.
- Marcy Laboratories Contract manufacturer specializing in the fragrance industry, providing blending, filling, packaging, and component sourcing for large fragrance brands, specialty retailers, and beauty customers.
- Vintage Air Manufacturer of aftermarket automotive HVAC systems for use as first-fit or retrofit solutions for classic vehicles.
- Eclipse Outdoor Manufacturer of residential and commercial shade products including power screens and retractable awnings, sold through a nationwide dealer network.
- Novex Manufacturer and distributor of polyurethane belting and sheet products used in various industries for abrasion applications.
- SisTech Manufacturing Manufacturer of highly complex printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) for defense, aerospace, industrial, and consumer applications.
- Current Tools Manufacturer of bending and cable pulling equipment used by electrical contractors.
- APQS Manufacturer of longarm quilting machines used by professional and hobbyist quilters.
- Diamabrush Manufacturer of diamond abrasive brushes and replacement blades for polishing and maintaining concrete floors, and floor restoration products for professional and DIY customers.
- ZTZ Services / SESCO Electric Grid Reliability Platform Electric grid reliability platform offering transformer monitoring products and solutions, including ZTZ Services International's online transformer monitoring products and SESCO's equipment for power transformer installation and maintenance.
Companies that use LFM Capital
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
LFM Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
LFM Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ZTZ Services InternationalcoreLFM Capital partnered with ZTZ Services International to create an electric grid reliability platform. ZTZ provides online transformer monitoring products and solutions, and together they invested in SESCO (Systems Engineering and Sales Co.) to support North America's aging electrical infrastructure.
- PrestwicksupportingPrestwick acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Vintage Air and its owner, Mangrove Equity Partners, in connection with the acquisition by LFM Capital.
- Harris WilliamssupportingHarris Williams acted as financial advisor to Salient and LFM Capital in connection with the sale of Salient to Trystar (Blackstone-backed).
- Houlihan LokeysupportingHoulihan Lokey acted as financial advisor to Accelevation and LFM Capital in connection with the sale of Accelevation to Olympus Partners.
- Bass, Berry & SimssupportingBass, Berry & Sims acted as legal counsel for LFM Capital in multiple transactions including the Salient sale.
- Choate Hall & Stewart LLPsupportingChoate Hall & Stewart LLP served as legal counsel for the LFM IV capital raise.
- GratasupportingLFM Capital partnered with Grata, a deal sourcing platform, to bolster their traditional deal sourcing methods with AI-powered search capabilities for identifying potential investment opportunities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LFM Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inverness Graham Investments: Lower middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on niche manufacturing and industrial services companies. Highly comparable to LFM in sector focus, EV range, and operator-led value creation model.
- Platte River Equity: Denver-based private equity firm investing in lower middle market operating companies, with strong emphasis on industrial and manufacturing businesses. Comparable investment size and sector thesis.
- Monomoy Capital Partners: Middle market private equity firm focused on manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services businesses. Similar EV range and add-on acquisition playbook to LFM.
- Wynnchurch Capital: Middle market PE firm specializing in industrial companies, including manufacturing and industrial services. Similar lower middle market focus with larger fund sizes than LFM.
- Argonaut Private Equity: Specialty lower middle market PE firm with a focus on manufacturing, industrial, and business services. Comparable operator-led model and sector concentration.
- Shore Capital Partners: Chicago-based PE firm focused on lower middle market microcap companies across healthcare, industrial, and business services with a similar fund size profile to LFM.
- Frontenac Company: Chicago-based private equity firm investing in lower middle market manufacturing, industrial, and business services companies. Strong comparable in sector focus and EV range.
- DFW Capital Partners: Lower middle market PE firm focused on business services and industrial companies, with comparable fund sizes and operator involvement in value creation.
Broad incumbents
- Stonepeak Partners: Larger alternative investment firm specializing in industrial and infrastructure investments including manufacturing. A broader incumbent that occasionally competes in similar lower middle market manufacturing deals.
- Genstar Capital: Large private equity firm with active industrial and manufacturing investment vertical. A broader incumbent that increasingly targets similar lower middle market manufacturing opportunities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LFM Capital social profiles
Digital presenceLFM Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LFM Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles27 records
LFM Capital subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
LFM Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LFM Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A12 records
Investments10 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LFM Capital
What does LFM Capital do?
LFM Capital is a private equity firm that acquires and grows lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses in the U.S. and Canada with at least $3 million of EBITDA and enterprise values from $15 million to $125 million. It provides patient capital, operational expertise, and executive leadership resources through platform investments and add-on acquisitions, partnering with management teams to build world-class manufacturing operations.
Is LFM Capital a public or private company?
LFM Capital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LFM Capital founded?
LFM Capital was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LFM Capital based?
LFM Capital is headquartered in Nashville, United States, in the North America region.
How does LFM Capital make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest.
Who are LFM Capital's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inverness Graham Investments, Platte River Equity, Monomoy Capital Partners, Wynnchurch Capital, Argonaut Private Equity, Shore Capital Partners, Frontenac Company and DFW Capital Partners. Broad incumbents are Stonepeak Partners and Genstar Capital.
Does LFM Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for LFM Capital.
What industry is LFM Capital in?
LFM Capital's product category is Private Equity — Manufacturing Sector Specialist. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANACAD, Business Services (B2B) Growth Equity. Its NAICS code is 52394 and its SIC code is 6282.