
Kelso & Company is a private equity firm that has been a leader in the industry for decades. Founded in 1969, the company has a long history of success.
Kelso & Company's leadership is a key factor in its success. The firm's founders, Robert Katz and Joseph Seligman, have a combined 70 years of experience in private equity.
The company's investment strategy is focused on making control investments in middle market companies. This approach has allowed Kelso & Company to achieve significant returns for its investors.
Kelso & Company has a strong track record of growth, with a significant increase in assets under management over the years.
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Leadership and Team
Kelso & Company has a strong leadership team that drives the firm's operations and growth strategy. Chris Collins and Frank Loverro serve as co-CEOs, bringing their expertise to the table.
Chris Collins has an impressive educational background, having completed an MBA from Stanford and a BA in English from Duke University. Prior to his leadership role, he worked as an analyst at Stonington Partners.
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Frank Loverro, on the other hand, has a background in private equity and high-yield finance at The First Boston Corporation. He also earned a BA in economics with distinction from the University of Virginia.
The firm's key leaders are comprised of experts who lead the direction of its operations. Here's a snapshot of the team:
Joe KopilakPartner and CFO, managing financial planning and complianceWilliam WooPartner, general counsel, and CCO, responsible for legal, regulatory, and ethical compliance
These leaders bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, ensuring that Kelso & Company operates smoothly and efficiently.
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Investments and Transactions
Kelso & Company has a long history of making strategic investments in middle-market businesses. They have made 11 investments and 14 acquisitions.
Some of their notable deals include Oasis Outsourcing, Pathstone Federal Street, and Refresh Mental Health. These investments demonstrate Kelso & Company's ability to identify and support high-growth businesses.
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Kelso & Company's investment strategy focuses on funding growth for mid-sized companies. They also allocate resources to fuel company expansion, facilitate transitions in company leadership, and restructure capital to optimize financial health.
Here are some of Kelso & Company's notable transactions:
- Inmark Secures Investment from Kelso & Company (acquisition of majority interest)
- Emtec Secures Growth Investment From Kelso & Company (acquisition of majority interest)
- Premia secured $510 million initial capital raise (January 2017)
- Kelso & Company Acquires Container Supply, Inc. (acquisition of Container Supply)
- Kelso & Company Acquires Silver Spur Corporation (acquisition of Silver Spur)
- Kelso & Company Acquires C.L. Smith (acquisition of majority interest in C.L. Smith)
Products and Services
Kelso & Company offers a range of tailored investment solutions to meet the needs of middle-market businesses. Their products and services cater to various sectors.
One of the key services they provide is private equity investments, which focuses on funding growth for mid-sized companies. This can help businesses expand and reach new heights.
Kelso & Company also offers capital support for growth initiatives, allocating resources to fuel company expansion. This can be a game-changer for businesses looking to take their growth to the next level.
Management buyouts are another area of expertise for Kelso & Company, facilitating transitions in company leadership through leveraged buyouts. This can help businesses navigate leadership changes smoothly.
Recapitalizations are also on the table, restructuring capital to optimize financial health. This can be a vital step for businesses looking to get back on track.
Industry roll-ups are a unique service offered by Kelso & Company, combining multiple businesses under one umbrella for efficiency. This can help businesses streamline operations and reduce costs.
Strategic partnerships are also a key part of Kelso & Company's offerings, collaborating across sectors for long-term growth. This can help businesses tap into new markets and opportunities.
Here are some of the specific services offered by Kelso & Company:
- Private equity investments
- Capital support for growth initiatives
- Management buyouts
- Recapitalizations
- Industry roll-ups
- Strategic partnerships
Portfolio Investments
Kelso & Company has made 11 investments and 14 acquisitions. Some of their notable deals include Oasis Outsourcing, Pathstone Federal Street, and Refresh Mental Health.
Kelso & Company has acquired a majority interest in several companies, including Inmark, a leading distributor of rigid container and life sciences packaging, and Bridgenext, a leading provider of IT consulting and digital services.
Inmark was previously owned by Quad-C Management, which is exiting its investment. Kelso & Company has also acquired Container Supply, Inc., a distributor of metal and plastic packaging products.
Bridgenext's management team, led by CEO Sunil Misra, will continue to lead the business and remain significant investors in the company. John Castleman, former CEO of Mobiquity and Alliance Global Services, will join Bridgenext's Board of Directors as Chairman.
Kelso & Company has also invested in Premia, which secured $510 million in initial capital raise in January 2017. The founding investors are Kelso & Company and Arch Capital.
Kelso & Company has also acquired C.L. Smith, a leading distributor of rigid packaging solutions, and Silver Spur Corporation, a supplier of specialty glass and plastic packaging.
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Notable Transactions
Kelso & Company has made several notable transactions in the past. One of the most significant was the acquisition of C.L. Smith, a leading distributor of rigid packaging solutions.
In January 2017, Premia secured $510 million in initial capital raise, with founding investors Kelso & Company and Arch Capital. This funding established Premia as a significant market participant.
Kelso & Company has also acquired Container Supply, Inc., a distributor of metal and plastic packaging products. The company has combined Container Supply with its existing investments in C.L. Smith, Inmark, and Silver Spur.
Kelso & Company has also acquired Silver Spur Corporation, a supplier of specialty glass and plastic packaging. Silver Spur will be combined with Kelso's existing investments in C.L. Smith and Inmark.
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Notable Transaction: Premia
In January 2017, Premia secured $510 million in initial capital raise.
The founding investors behind this significant transaction were Kelso & Company and Arch Capital.
This funding was one of the biggest capital raises ever focused on the P&C runoff market, establishing Premia as a major market participant.
Arch Capital also served as a strategic reinsurance partner for Premia, allowing the company to compete in global runoff transactions.
The remainder of the fund came from other institutional investors, senior members of Arch, and the Premia management team.
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Acquires Silver Spur
Kelso & Company made a significant move in the packaging industry by acquiring Silver Spur Corporation in a strategic deal.
Silver Spur Corporation is a supplier of specialty glass and plastic packaging.
The acquisition will combine Silver Spur with Kelso's existing investments in C.L. Smith and Inmark, distributors of rigid container and life sciences packaging products.
This move positions Kelso & Company as a major player in the packaging industry.
Kelso & Company's funds managed the acquisition, demonstrating their commitment to growth and expansion.
The financial details of the deal are not publicly disclosed.
Kelso & Company has a track record of successful acquisitions, including the purchase of Container Supply, Inc.
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Growth and Investment
Kelso & Company has a track record of making strategic investments in growth-oriented businesses.
The company has made 11 investments and 14 acquisitions, according to Crunchbase. Some notable deals include Oasis Outsourcing, Pathstone Federal Street, and Refresh Mental Health.
Kelso & Company has a keen eye for identifying high-quality managers with successful track records. They partnered with Bridgenext's leadership team, led by CEO Sunil Misra, in 2022.
Inmark, a leading distributor of rigid container and life sciences packaging, received a majority investment from Kelso & Company in 2022. This investment marked a significant milestone in the company's growth journey.
Kelso & Company's investment in Bridgenext provided the company with additional resources and capital to accelerate its growth trajectory. The partnership has enabled Bridgenext to scale new heights and deliver innovative solutions to its clients.
The company's investment in Bridgenext also brought in new expertise, with John Castleman joining the Board of Directors as Chairman. Castleman's experience in digital services will be invaluable in driving Bridgenext's growth strategy.
Kelso & Company's investment approach is centered around backing high-quality managers with successful track records. This approach has yielded impressive results, with the company's portfolio companies experiencing significant growth and success.
Company Values
Kelso & Company's culture is built on strong relationships with client companies and management teams, with a commitment to continuity, stability, and goal alignment.
The company's partnership-driven approach fosters lasting partnerships, with an average tenure of 19 years among partners. This level of stability and continuity is a testament to the trust and respect that exists within the team.
Kelso & Company prioritizes transparency, respect, and fair dealings in all its interactions, creating trust-based relationships with clients. This commitment to trust is a key factor in building strong partnerships that last.
The company's expertise-driven support is guided by 40 years of sector experience, providing valuable insights to help businesses grow. This expertise is a valuable asset to clients, helping them navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions.
Kelso & Company's ownership-oriented approach creates an alignment that supports long-term business growth. This focus on long-term success is reflected in the company's performance-based incentives, which align interests and promote shared objectives.
Here are the core principles that guide Kelso & Company's culture:
- Expertise-driven support: applies 40 years of sector experience to guide business growth
- Lasting partnerships: partners remain for an average tenure of 19 years
- Personal investments: co-invests with clients to foster shared objectives
- Performance-based incentives: offers long-term compensation to align interests
- Trust-based relationships: prioritizes transparency, respect, and fair dealings
AUM and Financials
Kelso & Company has a significant presence in the financial world. According to the latest regulatory filings, the company has $15.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2023.
This substantial amount of assets under management indicates the company's ability to manage large sums of money.
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Interview and Hiring
The interview and hiring process at Kelso & Company can be a bit lengthy and involved. You can expect to go through 4-6 rounds of interviews, with the initial rounds supervised by junior professionals and later rounds handled by more senior folks.
The process can take multiple weeks to complete, unless you're interviewing on-campus or as part of on-cycle recruiting. This means you'll have plenty of time to prepare and make a good impression.
To help you prepare, you can expect a mix of behavioral, technical, and fit questions during the interview. It's a good idea to brush up on your skills and experience, and be ready to talk about your strengths and weaknesses.
Here are some key facts about the Kelso & Company interview process:
- 4-6 interview rounds
- Junior professionals supervise initial rounds, while senior folks handle later rounds
- Multiple weeks to complete the process (unless on-campus or on-cycle recruiting)
Why
When choosing Kelso & Company, it's essential to do your homework and research the firm. You can try listening to interviews with its founders, management team, and investors to get to know them better.
Meet Church Moore, Investment Partner at Kelso & Company, who can provide valuable insights into the firm. His interview can give you a better understanding of the company's values and mission.
Kelso & Company's strong reputation is built on the experiences and testimonies of its employees. If you've met employees at the firm during your networking efforts, be sure to mention them and how their experiences helped you choose the firm.
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Case Study and Salary
If you're considering a role at Kelso & Company, you'll likely be asked to complete a case study as part of the evaluation process. This is a common practice among investment firms, which value both strong communication skills and technical knowledge.
To prepare, familiarize yourself with the types of case studies you might encounter, such as financial modeling and investment recommendations. Junior roles may also involve cold calling case studies.
Kelso & Company associates can expect an average annual salary of $146,650, according to Glassdoor.
Case Study
Case studies are a common evaluation tool used by investment firms like Kelso & Company to assess a candidate's communication skills and technical knowledge. They can involve financial modeling and investment recommendations, or even cold calling exercises for junior roles.
You'll likely be asked to perform a case study as part of the hiring process, so it's essential to be prepared. The case study may be presented as a scenario, and you'll need to use your skills and knowledge to provide a solution.
The case study can be a challenging but valuable experience, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and learn from the process. It's a chance to showcase your problem-solving abilities and think critically.
Investment firms value candidates who can think on their feet and provide well-reasoned solutions to complex problems. By completing a case study, you'll be able to demonstrate these skills and increase your chances of success.
Salary and Compensation
Kelso & Company's salary and compensation packages are quite impressive. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for associates at Kelso & Company is $146,650.
Figures may vary depending on factors like location, experience, and education.
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