SEPTEMBER 1, 2022, Cincinnati, OH — ArkMalibu is pleased to announce the sale of NovaVision to Incline Equity Partners, a Pittsburgh-based private equity firm. ArkMalibu served as the exclusive financial advisor to NovaVision in the transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Based in Bowling Green, OH, NovaVision was founded by Al Caperna in 1994 as an R&D company focused on affixing holograms onto materials running through a printing press. Over the next 28 years, Al Caperna and Mike Messmer transformed the company into a technology-enabled manufacturer and leading distributor of a comprehensive portfolio of consumable security and authentication products, including hologram labels, tamper-evident stickers, security tape and mechanical security seals. NovaVision’s products help prevent counterfeiting and product tampering in markets such as electronics, government, pharmaceutical, retail, transportation and logistics.
“NovaVision’s extensive in-house production capabilities provide a strong competitive advantage and have driven significant growth,” said Evan Weinstein, Partner at Incline Equity Partners. “As an established platform in the fragmented consumable security products space, there is tremendous opportunity to expand NovaVision’s offering through strategic acquisitions. Additionally, we plan to enhance NovaVision’s sales and digital marketing strategies to accelerate new customer acquisition and drive brand awareness. We look forward to our partnership with the entire NovaVision team.”
Al Caperna, founder of NovaVision, commented on the transaction:
“The journey and challenge of starting a company, trusting God, and partnering with excellent people is rewarding. ArkMalibu has assisted NovaVision in finding a partner to take NovaVision to a bright future.”
Mike Messmer of NovaVision, said:
“The ArkMalibu team’s M&A process experience was of significant value to us. They established the foundation for a successful transaction by further refining our business plan, assisting us in the marketing material drafting process and providing strategic guidance throughout the entire process. Ultimately, this strategic advisory from the ArkMalibu team culminated with us finding a great strategic partner that will continue growing the NovaVision platform.”
Nathan Estruth, Senior Advisor on the ArkMalibu team, also commented on the transaction:
“NovaVision’s cutting edge technology and world class manufacturing kept them ahead of the pack, but their principled, high integrity leaders put them in a league all their own. It is a delight to see their unrelenting commitment to their employees, customers, community, and suppliers be fulfilled, renewed, and enhanced with their new owners, Incline Equity Partners.”
Concurrent with the transaction, Bill Schoenherr was promoted to President, and longtime President Mike Messmer will continue to be involved in the company’s growth plan as a board member.
About NovaVision
Based in Bowling Green, OH, NovaVision offers a comprehensive portfolio of consumable security and authentication products, including hologram labels, tamper-evident stickers, security tape and mechanical security seals. The Company’s products help prevent counterfeiting and product tampering in markets such as electronics, government, pharmaceutical, retail, transportation and logistics.
About ArkMalibu
ArkMalibu is one of the only Mergers & Acquisitions advisory firms that focuses exclusively on sell-side transactions for business owners throughout the United States and internationally. ArkMalibu serves its privately owned clients based on its conflict free market position, proprietary process, experience and creativity. ArkMalibu prides itself on guiding clients through unchartered M&A territory with experience, integrity, and confidentiality at every turn. ArkMalibu was named ACG Cincinnati Deal Maker of the Year in 2010 and 2018.
About Incline Equity Partners
Incline Equity Partners, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a private equity firm investing in manufacturing, distribution and business services companies. Incline is generally seeking growing companies with enterprise values of $25 – $750 million. Incline’s typical investment types are ownership transitions for privately held businesses, buyouts and corporate divestitures within the U.S. and Canada.
