Wynnchurch Capital Bolsters Leadership Team, Eyes Future Growth in Middle Market Space

In the fast-paced world of private equity, the dance of investment, growth, and innovation never slows down. Late-breaking news from Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., a titan in the middle-market segment, highlights how this dynamic firm is not just keeping pace but is poised to set new benchmarks in the industry. With the strategic addition of two key members to its team—Alexis Underwood as Managing Director and Emma Naas as Accounting Manager—Wynnchurch is sharpening its competitive edge and signaling a clear focus on both operational excellence and financial acumen.

Alexis Underwood leaps into her new role with the kind of resume that reads like a playbook for success in commercial strategy and pricing optimization. Her tenure at several Koch Industries companies, notably Guardian Glass and Georgia Pacific, has been marked by leadership and innovation. Underwood's experience in enhancing profitability and refining company strategies is expected to inject Wynnchurch's operations group with fresh perspectives and robust methodologies. This move underscores the firm’s commitment to not just navigating but mastering the ever-evolving currents of the private equity market.

Underwood's academic background, with her B.A. in Communications from the prestigious Annenberg School for Communications & Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, complements her vast professional experience. It's this fusion of theoretical understanding and real-world application that makes her an invaluable asset to Wynnchurch’s team. Her role will primarily revolve around honing commercial strategies and refining pricing models to ensure the firm and its portfolio companies are positioned for sustainable growth and profitability.

On the financial front, Emma Naas brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position as Accounting Manager. Her previous role as an Accounting Manager at Northern Trust Company has equipped her with a deep understanding of fund accounting and finance, essential skills that will support Wynnchurch’s complex financial infrastructure. Naas’s educational background, with a B.S. in Finance and an M.B.A. in Accounting from The University of Southern Indiana, provides a solid foundation for her responsibilities in managing the firm's intricate financial operations.

Chris O’Brien, Managing Partner at Wynnchurch, expressed excitement about the new additions, highlighting the expected contributions of Underwood and Naas to their respective teams. Their roles are pivotal as Wynnchurch continues to navigate the complexities of the private equity landscape, emphasizing the firm's strategic focus on growth and operational efficiency.

Wynnchurch Capital, with its headquarters nestled in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, has carved a niche for itself as a leading player in the middle-market private equity sector since its inception in 1999. With an affiliate in Canada, the firm boasts a robust portfolio and a keen eye for investments that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Managing a slew of private equity funds with $9.2 billion of regulatory assets under management, Wynnchurch has shown a consistent ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities for recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs, and restructurings.

The firm’s investment strategy, marked by a discerning approach to partnering with middle-market companies in the United States and Canada, has culminated in a series of recent, noteworthy investments. These include the acquisition of Trimlite, a leading distributor of exterior door products and hardware, by Wynnchurch portfolio company in September 2023. Other significant investments span across a diverse range of industries, from FloWorks, a distributor of critical flow control products, to Industrial Service Solutions, a national provider of MRO-focused field, shop, and supply services, and FCA, a manufacturer of customized industrial protective packaging solutions.

Each of these investments highlights Wynnchurch’s strategic vision and operational expertise in fostering growth and enhancing value within its portfolio companies. The inclusion of Alexis Underwood and Emma Naas into the Wynnchurch fold is a testament to the firm's commitment to assembling a team that can not only envision but also enact the next chapter of its success story.

As Wynnchurch Capital continues to expand its footprint in the private equity sector, its strategic hires, alongside its recent investment activities, paint a picture of a firm that is not just reacting to trends but is actively shaping the future of middle-market investment. The addition of Underwood and Naas is a clear signal that Wynnchurch is gearing up for a new phase of growth, driven by strategic innovation, operational excellence, and financial prudence. For investors, portfolio companies, and the broader market, this heralds exciting times ahead as Wynnchurch Capital leverages its enhanced team to explore new horizons and create enduring value in the dynamic world of private equity.