Our Clients' ESOP Success Stories

Distinct Goals, Rewarding Employee Ownership Strategies

Middle-market companies nationwide turn to CSG for many reasons. Some are looking to sustain legacies and create business succession plans. Others are interested in helping shareholders take chips off the table while creating employee wealth-building opportunities.

No matter the objective, clients trust our investment banking advisors to analyze, finance, and structure ESOP transactions that reflect their current needs and anticipate their long-term goals as employee-owned companies.

Review a real case study and read ahead to learn more about our clients' ESOP journeys.

APPAREL & GOODS

Unlocking working capital, optimizing factoring solutions, and creating more cohesive teams.

Health and Wellness · Southwest · National Lender · $1.2BN value

Consumer Electronics · Northeast · Seller Financing · $410MM value

Home Textiles · Northeast · Seller Financing · $220MM value

Accessories · Northeast · National Lender · $155MM value

Apparel · Northeast · Regional Lender · $150MM value

Recreational Products · Southeast · Local Lender · $125MM value

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Meaningful succession and exit strategies for construction, architectural, and engineering firms.

Development · Northeast · Seller Financing · $405MM value

Specialty Contractor · Southwest · Regional Lender · $390MM value

General Contractor · Southeast · Regional Lender · $250MM value

Design-Build · Northeast · National Lender · $165MM value

Specialty Contractor · Southwest · Regional Lender · $125MM value

Civil Engineering · Southeast · Local Lender · $90MM value

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Navigating regulatory requirements and complex structures to build efficient ESOP transactions.

Investment Banking · Northeast · Regional Lender · $410MM value

Financial Advisory · Northeast · Regional Lender · $335MM value

Investment Management · Northeast · Regional Lender · $145MM value

Media Investment · Northeast · Regional Lender · $130MM value

Insurance · Southwest · Regional Lender · $105MM value

Specialty Lending · West · Local Lender · $100MM value

GOVCON

Helping contractors preserve designations, gain unique tax breaks, and realize liquidity events.

Security Services · Southeast · National Lender · $200MM value

Security Services · Northeast · National Lender · $95MM value

Technology Solutions · Northeast · Regional Lender · $55MM value

Government Relations · Southeast · Local Lender · $50MM value

Civil Aeronautics · Northeast · Regional Lender · $35MM value

Defense · West · Regional Lender · $30MM value

HEALTHCARE

Private equity alternatives that put medical providers and patients first.

Specialty Practice · West · Regional Lender · $160MM value

Nursing Care · Midwest · Seller Financing · $125MM value

Health System · Southeast · Regional Lender · $120MM value

Specialty Practice · West · Regional Lender · $90MM value

Home Care · Northeast · Seller Financing · $55MM value

Specialty Practice · West · Local Lender · $40MM value

HOSPITALITY & RETAIL

Broad-based talent retention and wealth building benefits for service-oriented companies.

Restaurant Chain · Northeast · Regional Lender · $115MM value

Home Furnishings · Southeast · National Lender · $95MM value

Wholesale · West · Local Lender · $95MM value

Resort Hotels · West · National Lender · $70MM value

Home Furnishings · Midwest · Regional Lender · $60MM value

Recreational Facilities · Northeast · Local Lender · $45MM value

MANUFACTURING

Supporting the next generation of American-made industrial companies and workers.

Energy Services · Southwest · Seller Financing · $720MM value

Service Equipment · Midwest · Regional Lender · $310MM value

Industrial Manufacturing · Midwest · National Lender · $200MM value

Food Processing · Southeast · Local Lender · $160MM value

Industrial Manufacturing · Southeast · Regional Lender · $125MM value

Industrial Automation · Southeast · Regional Lender · $95MM value

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Efficient equity transfers and responsive incentives for high performing teams and key people.

Marketing · West · Regional Lender · $1.2BN value

Education Management · West · Seller Financing · $50MM value

HR Consulting · Northeast · National Lender · $50MM value

Marketing · Southeast · National Lender · $30MM value

Management Consulting · Northeast · Local Lender · $30MM value

Law Practice · Southeast · Regional Lender · $20MM value

STAFFING & RECRUITING

Building tax-advantaged M&A alternatives for high relative payroll companies.

Staffing and Search · Northeast · Regional Lender · $220MM value

Specialized Staffing · West · Regional Lender · $115MM value

Specialized Staffing · Midwest · Regional Lender · $60MM value

Specialized Staffing · Northeast · Regional Lender · $40MM value

Staffing and Recruiting · Southwest · National Lender · $30MM value

Executive Recruiting · Midwest · Seller Financing · $25MM value

TRANSPORT

Empowering asset-heavy companies to realize the financial and cultural advantages of ESOPs.

Heavy Transport · Southeast · Regional Lender · $1.4BN value

Charter and Leisure · West · National Lender · $175MM value

Temp-Conrolled Carrier · Northeast · Regional Lender · $150MM value

School Transport · Northeast · Regional Lender · $70MM value

Vehicle Rental · Northeast · National Lender · $35MM value

Material Handling · Midwest · Regional Lender · $25MM value

Frank Fiume - Founder, i9 Sports

Frank Fiume pursued his passion for sports and built the nation's largest provider of recreational programming. But after more than a decade of work, Fiume was ready to consider a liquidity event.

He wanted to take "chips off the table," but had serious reservations about selling i9 Sports to a third-party. A partial ESOP sale proved to be the right option for Fiume and his entire team.

Andrew Krantz - EVP, York International

Andrew Krantz's father, Jim, founded York International with a focus on service and a commitment to perpetuating a business legacy. Three decades later, York had grown to be a leading regional insurance brokerage.

When it came time to pass the leadership baton from Jim to Andrew's generation of management, an ESOP sale played a critical role. The transaction enhanced York's culture and enshrined an employee ownership mentality.

We considered a private equity offer, but an ESOP gave the shareholders more after-tax value. CSG was very smart about what was possible and how to balance the needs of all the parties involved.

Business Services Provider · Founder

I turned to CSG for an ESOP that benefited every one of our employees and allowed us to take money off the table. I call that a "win-win" for everyone!

Retail Chain · CEO

We had the opportunity to sell the company, but we wanted to remain independent and continue our growth. I'm grateful to CSG and for the opportunity to give back to our employees, who have been so critical to our success.

Staffing Firm · President

We could not have achieved our goals with the ESOP transaction without CSG. They brought tremendous expertise, sophistication, and unwavering commitment to the process.

Energy Company · President

The ESOP is exciting for the company and our employees. Our employees always have been and will continue to be the key to our success. None of this could have happened without CSG.

Manufacturer · Chairman

I can’t recommend CSG enough to companies considering an ESOP.

Transportation Provider · CEO

ESOP Client Stories