Thomas Smith

The Oilgear Co. designs, manufactures and supplies hydraulic equipment and fluid power systems. Its products include pumps, valves, electronics, cylinders and accumulators. The firm offers field commissioning and trouble shooting, system simulation, CFD and FEA, root cause analysis, testing and product training services. The company was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Traverse City, MI.

HK Systems, Inc. designs, delivers and supports comprehensive material flow solutions. Its charter is to help companies achieve their corporate objectives with the lowest possible risk by providing appropriate product, system and enterprise level solutions that yield long term rewards. The company started as the automation arm of a midwestern fortune 300 manufacturer in the late 1960's. HK Systems began a successful sequence of strategic acquisitions in the material handling industry to develop a portfolio of quality, American-made systems, software and components. Today, HK is an innovative yet conservative organization, focused on delivering complex turnkey supply chain solutions.

Creative Forming, Inc. designs and manufactures custom and thermoformed packaging products. It offers trays, lids, clamshells, tubs, scoops, and closures for consumer packaging, food packaging, and food service markets. The company was founded in 1972 and headquartered in Ripon, WI.

Mason Wells Inc (Private Equity)(Mason Wells) is a private equity subsidiary of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation founded in 1998 by John Thomas Byrnes. The firm is headquartered in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Pacon Corp. engages in converting and printing of art and education papers. It offers construction paper, drawing and sketch paper, poster board, presentation board (corrugate/foam), ruled handwriting paper, dual surface and fade-resistant paper products. The firm’s brands include Array, Art Street, Bordette, Creative Cut-ups, Decorol, Ecology, GoWrite, Tru-Ray, Riverside, and Peacock. It offers goods in sheeted packages, wire bound books, tape bound pads, and rolls. The company was founded by Jerry Van Hoof in 1951 and is headquartered in Appleton, WI.

Sturm Foods is the leading global dry grocery manufacturer for both the retail and foodservice industries since 1905. It specializes in the following dry product categories: Hot Cereals Organic and Natural Products Sugar Free Drink Mix Sticks Sugar Free 12 Quart Drink Mixes Hot Cocoa and Cappuccino Sturm Foods is committed to innovating and rapidly introducing new products that are great tasting, convenient and fit the changing needs of today's health-conscious consumer. The company is headquartered in Manawa, WI.

Paragon Development Systems, Inc. provides information technology solutions, services and technologies. The firm serves to healthcare, government, education, manufacturing, and corporate organizations with digital workspace, security, and enterprise technology solutions. The company was founded by Craig S. Schiefelbein in 1986 and is headquartered in Brookfield, WI.

Converting, Inc. manufactures decorative and disposable products. It converts and markets disposable tabletop paper and plastic goods such as table covers, napkins, banquet rolls, table skirts, plates, cups, bowls, placemats, and accessory items. Count on Creative Converting for great service, superior quality and depth and breadth of product line. It is customers' source for leading brand names, including Party Creations, Paper Art, Special Occasion, Swankie hankies and Touch of Color. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Clintonville, WI.