Chicago – Riverspan Partners, a private equity firm strategically focused on the industrials sector, has announced its pivotal investment in Barretts Minerals (“Barretts”). This investment signifies the first venture from Riverspan’s newly established fund, highlighting the firm’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation within the industrial landscape.
Barretts Minerals, headquartered in Dillon, Montana, stands as a market-leading entity in the mining and processing of high-purity talc. The company benefits from exclusive access to superior quality talc deposits, ensuring exceptional purity and brightness. Coupled with its advanced, end-to-end processing capabilities, Barretts offers unparalleled strategic flexibility across a diverse range of applications and end markets. With a robust product portfolio and enduring relationships with key customers, Barretts primarily serves critical sectors including technical ceramics, paints and coatings, and polymers.
Strategic Growth Initiatives for Barretts Minerals
Riverspan Partners’ investment is designed to propel Barretts Minerals into a new phase of expansion and operational excellence. A core component of this strategic partnership involves significant investment in key areas such as product innovation and broadening the existing product portfolio to meet evolving market demands. Furthermore, Riverspan aims to enhance Barretts’ process efficiency through targeted operational improvements and technological upgrades, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the industry.
Barretts Minerals is set to gain valuable insights and expertise from Riverspan’s extensive network of seasoned industry executives. This includes the strategic guidance of James and Mary Mooney of The Mooney Group LLC, who bring a wealth of operational, financial, and strategic acumen. Their involvement will be instrumental in guiding Barretts through its next growth phase.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Dave Thomas, Partner at Riverspan Partners, articulated the firm’s enthusiasm for this new venture. “This investment embodies a distinctive opportunity to collaborate with a vertically-integrated industrial minerals leader that possesses substantial growth potential,” Thomas stated. He further emphasized Barretts’ key strengths, noting “Barretts demonstrates impressive characteristics, including its engagement in diverse end markets with strong secular growth drivers, a top-tier operating team distinguished by an exceptional safety record, and well-established, long-term relationships with blue-chip clients.” Riverspan Partners, he affirmed, is dedicated to providing both the necessary financial resources and operational expertise to empower Barretts in enhancing its product offerings and further investing in its crucial mining and processing capabilities. This commitment is aimed at benefiting not only customers and employees but also the communities where Barretts operates, underscoring a holistic approach to growth and partnership.
Josh Regan, General Manager at Barretts Minerals, also shared his positive outlook on the partnership. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Riverspan team, whose vision aligns seamlessly with our objectives of driving operational excellence while upholding an unwavering focus on safety and risk management,” said Regan. He highlighted the significance of this moment for Barretts, stating, “This marks an exciting new chapter for our company as we continue to expand our operations to meet increasing market demand and strengthen our established presence in Montana.”
Riverspan Partners: Expertise in the Industrials Sector
Riverspan Partners distinguishes itself by focusing on lower middle market businesses within the industrials sector, with a particular emphasis on engineered materials and advanced manufacturing. Built upon the extensive experience of its founders, who collectively bring over 40 years of investment expertise, Riverspan delivers deep industry-specific knowledge, intellectual rigor, and a meticulous analytical approach to its partnerships. Riverspan’s core mission is to collaborate closely with management teams, providing strategic support to accelerate growth and establish lasting, long-term success through a focus on commercial excellence, operational enhancements, and the integration of digital technologies.
Legal counsel for Riverspan was provided by Milbank LLP and McDermott Will & Emery LLP, demonstrating the robust professional network supporting this investment.
About Riverspan Partners
Riverspan Partners is a private equity firm based in Chicago that concentrates on lower middle market enterprises within the industrials sector, including engineered materials and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging its profound sector expertise, Riverspan is committed to partnering with management teams to stimulate growth and build enduring success. For additional information, please visit: www.riverspan.com.
About The Mooney Group LLC
Founded by industry veterans James and Mary Mooney, The Mooney Group LLC is composed of seasoned industry and legal professionals specializing in the industrial minerals sector. Their expertise spans mining, refining, selling, buying, and processing, all aimed at enhancing value-added performance within their clients’ operations.
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