Stratford-Cambridge acquires Custom Equipment

An affiliate of Stratford‐Cambridge Group (SCG) has acquired Custom Equipment, LLC, headquartered in Richfield, WI. Custom Equipment also has an additional manufacturing facility in West Bend, WI.

SCG now has a controlling interest of 80 percent, with the sellers retaining a 20 percent stake in the business

Founded in 1981 as a welding and fabrication business, Custom first developed lifts for the cemetery and mausoleum markets which evolved into a full product range of scissor lifts and aerial work platforms for the construction and industrial markets.

“Our family started this business over 36 years ago and are very proud of what we’ve built and the relationships that we’ve made,” said Steve Kissinger, who founded the business along with his wife Lynn. “We are happy to announce our partnership with Stratford Cambridge Group. They see the value in our products and understand the rich history that we have developed over the years with our customers, vendors and employees. We see this as a great opportunity to continue growing the company, while continuing to maintain those relationships.”

SCG, based in Plymouth, MI, is a boutique private equity and investment firm focused on acquiring niche manufacturing companies in the Midwest and Great Lakes Region.

“We are very excited at the prospect of partnering with the Custom Equipment management team to continue and accelerate their impressive history of growth and innovation,” said Stephen Ellis, managing director of SCG. :Custom Equipment checks all of our boxes in regard to our investment criteria: highly engineered product line, impressive growth trajectory and strong management team. We are looking forward to this next chapter in the history of Custom Equipment.”

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.