RYE, NY, November 5, 2013 – SFW Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests with management in mid-sized companies providing analytical tools and services, today announced an investment in Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd. which does business as filtec. SFW is partnering in this investment with filtec’s CEO, Steve Calhoun and its management team. As a team, the partners at SFW have supported some of the most successful and well-regarded companies in the analytical instrumentation and inspection markets, including Mettler-Toledo International, Waters Corporation, and Spectro International.
filtec, based in Torrance, Calif., is a leading provider of advanced in-line inspection instrumentation and systems for the global beverage industry. The Company’s product line offers a full line of instrumentation and related software and services for inspection of empty and full containers on glass and PET bottling, canning and other packaging lines. filtec was founded in 1958 by Fred Calhoun, Steve’s father, to develop packaging inspection instruments for the growing consumer beverage industry. filtec’s instrumentation is utilized by leading global beverage companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, SABMiller, and ABInBev, among many others, to perform critical product inspection steps that are essential for the operation of high speed container packaging lines and the production of consistently high quality beverages.
“filtec exhibits the key characteristics that we look for in all of our investments in the analytical instrumentation market: high-value products and services, deep customer relationships, and significant opportunities for growth,” said Ahmad Sheikh, SFW Principal, who will be a member of the filtec Board of Directors. “We look forward to partnering with Steve Calhoun and the filtec management team to build on and extend the success of the Company.”
“We are very pleased to be partnering with the SFW team, which is a respected long-term investor and builder of analytical instrumentation businesses,” said Mr. Calhoun. “We are very proud of our accomplishments here at filtec, and this significant investment serves as a strong endorsement for our business model and growth strategy, as well as our future prospects.”
With SFW’s strategic support and resources, filtec plans on making significant investments to further expand its product line, increase its service and support capabilities, and develop and introduce innovative new products.
About SFW Capital Partners
SFW Capital Partners is the leading investor in analytical tools and related services companies, including providers of instrumentation, software, information and business services. Our 20+ years of knowledge of the relevant business models, technology, competitive dynamics and service requirements gives us a unique ability to support management teams in growing their companies and building value. For more information, please visit www.sfwcap.com
About Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd. (“filtec”)
Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd. (“filtec”) is a leading provider of advanced in-line inspection instrumentation and systems for the global beverage industry. The Company founded in 1958 and based in Torrance, Calif., offers a full line of instrumentation and related software and services for inspection of empty and full containers on glass and PET bottling, canning and other packaging lines. filtec’s unique starwheel technology, X-Ray and Vision-based inspection solutions, innovative pressure leak detector and high-speed laser coder offer unparalleled ease of use, reliability and durability. filtec serves leading beverage companies around the globe and offers parts and service locally in thirty countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.filtec.com