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Acklen Companies is a private investment firm that acquires and grows great businesses in the Mid-Atlantic that have annual sales ranging between $5 and $50 million. We focus on manufacturing, fabrication, distribution and business services companies. Transactions we consider usually involve companies with strong cash flow and the first generation's interest to achieve a partnership and/or liquidity and future leadership for the company. We are willing to be active investors in the business, relying on existing management to operate the day to day or we will take on a full time operational role.
Our Principles
We believe in continuing to build on the legacy and foundation that the previous owner has worked hard to establish. We invest in companies that already have strong principles and a hardworking team. Our intention is to make a further investment in both.
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The founders of Acklen come from entrepreneurial and financial backgrounds and understand that sustainable growth is only possible with excellent service to customers and a focus on continually improving operations. We aim to create value using the proven strategy of establishing operational efficiency, eliminating non-value added activity, managing capital resources, investing in business development activities and building excellent management teams.
Our Team
Bret Feingerts
Founder and Operating Partner
Bret Feingerts, is a founder and operating partner of Acklen Companies. Prior to starting Acklen, Bret was the head credit derivatives trader at Morgan Stanley in New York. He left Morgan Stanley in 2016 to pursue entrepreneurship and has spent time working in equity derivatives trading and real estate development since then. Additionally, he has experience in M&A. Bret graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Mathematics and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Analytical Finance, Econometrics & Statistics, and Accounting. Bret is married to his wife Theresa and they live in Philadelphia with their son, Tyler. Bret grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Boyd Steinhoff
Founder and Operating Partner
Boyd Steinhoff, is a founder and operating partner of Acklen Companies. Prior to starting Acklen, Boyd worked at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Management Division where he was a member of a team that managed in excess of $2BN in AUM for entrepreneurs, business owners and Fortune 500 executives. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Boyd was an early employee at two financial technology start-ups where he led sales teams that launched new businesses and grew revenue exponentially. Both companies were backed by leading Venture and Private Equity Investors and realized successful exits. Boyd graduated from Vanderbilt University and is married to his wife Jenny. They have three children and live in McLean, VA. Boyd grew up in Manchester, MA.
Our Companies
Philly Case
Philly Case is one of the few companies that offers a complete product line for your shipping needs, including Wooden ATA Shipping Cases, Molded ATA Shipping Cases, Trade Show Cases, Plastic Shipping Cases, Lightweight Poly Cases, and Custom Manufactured Shipping Cases. Philly Case has been making top quality shipping cases since 1925.
Fibre Case
Fibre Case was a three generation business that started manufacturing fibre and high density polyethylene shipping cases in Brooklyn, NY in 1894. Their cases are used across diverse industries like fashion and garment businesses, utility companies, professional sports, insurance providers, ballets and medical device manufacturers. In the early 2000's, Philly Case, based just outside of Philadelphia, took over all manufacturing for Fibre Case. In 2020, Philly Case and its owners acquired Fibre Case outright, but continue to operate the company under the Fibre Case brand.