ONWARD CAPITAL AND THOMPSON STREET CAPITAL PARTNERS ACQUIRE DOMAILLE ENGINEERING, LLC

CHICAGO (November 30, 2016) – Onward Capital, a private equity firm based in Chicago, announced today that it has partnered with St. Louis-based private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP) to acquire Domaille Engineering, LLC headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota (www.domailleengineering.com).  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Domaille Engineering is a technology company committed to product leadership, customer intimacy and operational agility.  The Company’s Optical Products division designs and manufactures industry-leading polishing machines and fixtures, inspection equipment and associated engineered products for the rapidly-growing fiber-optic cable market, while Domaille’s Precision Services division engineers and manufactures complex, mission-critical products for the defense, aerospace, national security, telecommunications, energy and medical sectors.

Laura Lester, Partner of Onward Capital said “Domaille has a great reputation for innovation, creativity, manufacturing excellence and customer service.”  Marcus George, Onward Capital Partner added, “We look forward to working with the management team to build upon the Company’s already impressive record of success.”

Tim Kanne, President of Domaille, commented “We are delighted to be partnering with Onward Capital and Thompson Street Capital Partners.   They will provide us with strategic and financial resources and industry contacts to achieve our shared vision for growth while maintaining our industry leading quality and service.”

Jim Cooper, TSCP Managing Partner, said “TSCP has had excellent experiences working with the professionals at Onward Capital on a number of successful transactions over many years and Domaille will be no exception. Together with the Company’s strong management team, we will pursue an aggressive organic and acquisition-based growth plan.”

Byline Sponsor Finance Group, the cash flow lending division of Byline Bank, provided senior debt financing in support of the recapitalization.  ORIX Mezzanine & Private Equity and NewSpring Mezzanine Capital provided mezzanine debt financing and co-invested equity.  Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP served as legal counsel to Onward Capital and its investor group, while Quetico Partners LLC served as advisor to the selling shareholder group.

About Domaille Engineering

Domaille Engineering, LLC (www.domailleengineering.com) is a worldwide provider of innovative engineering solutions and precision manufacturing services to high-tech industries and a leading OEM of optical fiber polishing equipment.  Domaille Engineering is a three-time winner of the prestigious U.S. Chamber of Commerce blue ribbon DREAM BIG small business award.  This award recognizes the top 100 U.S. small businesses for demonstrating exceptional business practices in several areas including strategic planning, employee development, community involvement and superior customer service.

About Onward Capital LLC

Onward Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on investing in and growing lower middle-market industrial businesses.  Onward partners with management teams to build value through operational improvements, professional management practices and access to external relationships and growth capital.  Onward invests in partnership with family offices, mezzanine funds, equity funds, industry executives and high net worth individuals.  For more information on Onward Capital, please visit www.onwardcapllc.com.

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Marcus George

Partner

Marcus founded Onward Capital in 2015. He is responsible for developing investment theses, executing transactions and leading value creation within the portfolio. He is a member of the board of directors of each of Onward’s portfolio companies.

Prior to Onward Capital, Marcus was a Partner at Code Hennessy and Simmons.  He spent 18 years there, reviewed hundreds of investment opportunities and executed dozens of transactions across a variety of industries.

Prior to CHS, Marcus worked in the Corporate Finance Group of Heller Financial and he started his career at KPMG.

Marcus earned a BA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. He lives in Park Ridge, Illinois with his wife and their two children.

Laura Lester

Partner

Laura founded Onward Capital in 2015. She is responsible for developing investment theses, executing transactions and leading value creation within the portfolio. She is a member of the board of directors of each of Onward’s portfolio companies.

Prior to Onward Capital, Laura spent over ten years at Code Hennessy and Simmons where she reviewed hundreds of investment opportunities and executed dozens of transactions across a variety of industries.

Early in her career, Laura worked in the Investment Banking Division of Lehman Brothers where she advised industrial companies and their boards on strategic alternatives.

Laura earned a BA in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and their three children.

Jack Tresley

Vice President

Jack joined Onward Capital in 2024.

Prior to Onward Capital, Jack was an Associate on the investing team at Granite Creek Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, where he evaluated, structured, executed, and managed both debt and equity investments across a wide range of lower middle market companies.

Prior to Granite Creek, Jack was an investment banking analyst at Metronome Partners, a Chicago-based investment bank, where he worked on a variety of sell-side transactions primarily for lower middle market companies.

Jack earned a BS in Finance from Indiana University, Bloomington – Kelley School of Business and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He lives in Lincoln Park with his wife.