Colfax Creek

What Colfax Creek does

Colfax Creek Capital is a privately held, permanent-capital investment firm founded in 2017 by Jason Duzan and headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan. The firm acquires controlling interests in strategically important Great Lakes manufacturing companies generating $2–4 million in EBITDA, with $10–50M+ in platform revenue and greater than 10% free cash flow margins, particularly family-owned businesses facing succession or operational challenges. Duzan operates as the sole decision-maker, deploying his own committed capital rather than limited-partner fund commitments, which eliminates fund-cycle pressure and supports decades-long ownership horizons.

The active portfolio comprises five manufacturing subsidiaries organized under holding entities such as Addison Traverse Manufacturing and Premier Engineered Products. Operations span aluminum high-pressure die-casting (Appalachian Cast Products), insert-molded and stamped electrical components (Dial Tool Industries), custom roll-formed and stamped metal products (Traverse City Products), precision metal stampings (Performance Stamping), and consumer products (Twist & Seal, Rhino Cart, Drill Dock under Midwest Innovative Products). Portfolio companies hold ISO 9001:2015 and, where automotive-relevant, IATF 16949:2016 certifications, and serve end markets including automotive OEMs, appliance manufacturers, power generation OEMs, office furniture, lawn-and-garden tool makers, LED lighting, and major retail channels (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Amazon).

The firm's core operating model is the Colfax Creek Playbook — a proprietary continuous-improvement methodology combining Lean, 5S/6S visual management, weekly scorecards, monthly business reviews, and quarterly strategy days, supported by aligned incentives and a "No-Jerk Rule" for cultural fit. Deal sourcing is relationship-based, drawing on owner referrals, investment-banker introductions, and a regional Great Lakes network. Track record includes the 2021 sale of GLE Precision to Hyperion Materials & Technologies at greater than 10x return on invested capital with 2.6x EBITDA multiple improvement, and the 2021 sale of Fluence Automation to BlueCrest. The firm has completed six acquisitions and two divestitures since founding, with stated portfolio-wide results of 2–3x EBITDA growth and top-quartile returns.

Name

Colfax Creek

Legal name

Colfax Creek Capital

Website

https://colfaxcreek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Colfax Creek Capital is a permanent-capital private investment firm that acquires controlling stakes in Great Lakes manufacturing companies with $2–4M EBITDA, particularly family-owned businesses facing succession, and applies a proprietary Playbook to drive 2–3x EBITDA growth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Equity Returns: Colfax Creek generates returns through equity ownership in portfolio companies, targeting 2-3x EBITDA growth and top quartile returns. Revenue derives from management of permanent capital and value creation across acquisitions.
2. Investment Management: Permanent capital investor that acquires controlling interests in manufacturing companies with $2-4M EBITDA, generating returns through operational improvement and eventual exits or recapitalizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Colfax Creek is a permanent-capital private investment firm that acquires controlling interests in Great Lakes region manufacturing companies with $2–4 million of EBITDA and >10% free cash flow margins. It invests founder-committed capital (not institutional LP funds), implements its proprietary Colfax Creek Playbook for operational improvement, and stewards portfolio companies across contract manufacturing, original equipment manufacturing, and industrial services.

Product overview

Colfax Creek operates as a permanent-capital investment firm that acquires and grows manufacturing companies in the Great Lakes region. The portfolio consists of five active manufacturing companies: Premier Engineered Products (aluminum die casting via Appalachian Cast Products), Dial Tool Industries (insert-molded and stamped electrical components), Midwest Innovative Products (consumer products including Twist & Seal, Rhino Cart, and Drill Dock brands), Traverse City Products (custom roll formed and stamped metal components), and Performance Stamping (precision metal stampings). The firm implements its proprietary Colfax Creek Playbook across the portfolio to drive operational improvement, continuous enhancement, and EBITDA growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Premier Engineered Products (Appalachian Cast Products) Aluminum high-pressure die-cast parts manufacturer with in-house machining and finishing capabilities, serving lawn-and-garden tool, hand tool, automotive system, and LED lighting manufacturers. Operates from an 89,000 sq ft, five-acre facility in Abingdon, Virginia with twelve high-pressure die casting cells.
• Dial Tool Industries Insert-molded and stamped electrical components manufacturer serving automotive and industrial OEMs, producing over-molded connectors, terminal shields, grounding clips, and sensor housings for electronic modules. Third-generation family business acquired by Colfax Creek in January 2023.
• Twist & Seal Weather-resistant cord protection devices that enclose extension cord joints inside a rigid polypropylene shell with a flexible gasket to protect from water (rain, snow, sprinkler spray). Product line includes Cord Dome, Cord Protect, Mini, and Max models. Distributed through Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Amazon, and Menards.
• Rhino Cart All-terrain moving cart with a powder-coated steel frame carrying up to 2,000 pounds, featuring eight independent urethane rollers for traversing gravel, thresholds, and uneven surfaces. Sold through Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Amazon.
• Traverse City Products (TCP) Custom roll formed and stamped metal products manufacturer for automotive, office furniture, access flooring, conveyor, and transportation sectors, with in-house tooling and finishing capabilities. ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 certified.
• Performance Stamping Precision metal stamping manufacturer producing deep draw, progressive die, and compound stampings for appliance, automotive, and industrial OEMs, with secondary assembly and finishing services across two Carpentersville, Illinois locations totaling more than 85,000 sq ft.
• Drill Dock Wall-mounted drill storage cradle with a spring-loaded collar, embedded magnets for driver bits, and side slots for extra batteries, designed for garages, vans, and job carts. Consumer product under Midwest Innovative Products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2-3x EBITDA growth through Colfax Creek Playbook implementation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Addison Traverse ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing platform under which Dial Tool Industries, Traverse City Products, and Performance Stamping operate. Companies share aligned cultures and complementary manufacturing capabilities with best practice sharing.
• Metolius Partners Inc.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInvestment banker Andrew Chidester introduced Jason Duzan to Twist & Seal opportunity, facilitating the 2017 recapitalization.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Blackford Capital: Grand Rapids, Michigan-based lower-middle-market private equity firm investing in family- and founder-owned manufacturing, distribution, and consumer businesses across the U.S. Highly comparable to Colfax Creek in geography, deal size, and family-business focus.
• Pfingsten Partners: Chicago-based private equity firm investing in lower-middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and business services companies. Comparable deal size, operational-improvement orientation, and Midwest footprint.
• Huron Capital Partners: Detroit-based private equity firm focused on lower-middle-market companies, particularly in the Great Lakes region. Directly comparable on geography, niche EBITDA range, and operating-partner model applied to niche manufacturers.
• Renovus Capital Partners: Lower-middle-market private equity firm investing in knowledge-based and tech-enabled services, light manufacturing, and value-added distribution. Comparable niche EBITDA range and operational playbook approach.
• LFE Capital: Lower-middle-market private equity firm focused on succession planning and recapitalizations of founder-owned manufacturing and industrial businesses. Directly comparable to Colfax Creek's succession-driven thesis and mid-sized EBITDA target band.
• River Associates Investments: Lower-middle-market private equity firm focused on manufacturing, industrial, and consumer businesses with a long-hold, operations-intensive model. Comparable in target company profile and active operating engagement.
• Heartwood Partners: Lower-middle-market investor partnering with founder- and family-owned industrial, consumer, and business services companies, often with permanent or long-hold capital structures. Closely aligned with Colfax Creek's permanent-capital, operations-driven thesis.
• Mainsail Partners: Lower-middle-market private equity firm partnering with founder-led industrial and consumer manufacturing companies. Similar in targeting smaller, family-owned businesses and applying operational playbooks to drive growth.
• Gen Cap America: Private investment firm deploying long-term capital into lower-middle-market, family-owned businesses, often in manufacturing and industrial services. Highly comparable permanent-capital model and operating-partner approach.

Regional players

• Plymouth Growth Partners: Michigan-based lower-middle-market private equity firm investing in founder- and family-owned businesses, primarily in the Great Lakes region. Comparable on geography and family-business orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colfax-creek-capital

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colfax Creek