Trimlite News

Trimlite Acquires Francis-Schulze Company

Renton, WA – September 20, 2023 – Trimlite Equity, L.P. (“Trimlite” or the “Company”) announced today that is has acquired Francis-Schulze Company. (“F-S” or “Francis-Schulze”). Members of the Francis and Schulze families will continue as shareholders in Trimlite. Financial terms were not disclosed. Francis-Schulze is a leading distributor of exterior door products and hardware. Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Russia, Ohio, Francis-Schulze has developed a strong presence across the Ohio Valley by providing high quality products and value-added services to its diverse network of customers.

“I’d like to thank the Francis and Schulze families for their decades-long stewardship of this high-quality company. Ken and the families have built a wonderful distribution company and their values complement ours. We look forward to supporting Francis-Schulze in their next phase of growth,” said Patrick Hooper, CEO of Trimlite.

“As we started to plan for the next chapter for Francis-Schulze, we felt that Trimlite was the best fit for our people, our customers, and our suppliers,” said Ken Francis, President of the Francis-Schulze division of Trimlite. “Their commitment to service, quality, and their industry expertise gave us a confidence that Francis-Schulze will be in great hands as the business continues to grow.”

Trimlite was acquired by Wynnchurch Capital L.P. (“Wynnchurch”) in July 2021. “Wynnchurch welcomes Francis-Schulze to the Trimlite team. We are excited to partner with Ken and Francis-Schulze to continue to grow their business,” said Brian Crumbaugh, Partner at Wynnchurch. Francis-Schulze is the second acquisition by Trimlite since Wynnchurch Capital acquired Trimlite.

Francis-Schulze was represented by The JIAN Group as part of the acquisition.

About Francis-Schulze:

Founded in 1957 by D.J. Francis, Francis-Schulze Company is a family-owned and operated distributor of wholesale building materials to lumber dealers, home centers and door specialists. The company’s steadfast commitment to quality products, manufacturing excellence and superior customer service has made Francis-Schulze Company an industry leader and dealer of choice for 60 years. For more information, please visit: https://www.francisschulze.com/.

About Trimlite:

Founded in 1982, Trimlite Equity, L.P. is a value-added distributor of residential doors and related door products in North America. The Company supplies a broad offering of interior and exterior door slabs, prehung doors, door glass and doorlites, and other related products which are sold through its network of wholesale distributors, dealers and OEM customers. For more information, please visit: https://trimlite.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital:

Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $5.7 billion of regulatory assets under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. For more information, please visit: https://www.wynnchurch.com.

For more information please contact:

Brian Crumbaugh

Partner [email protected]

847-604-6100

Kevin Hanley

Principal [email protected]

847-604-6100

Alex Randall

Vice President [email protected]

847-604-6100

Trimlite Acquires Builders Hardware

Renton, WA – April 4, 2022 – Trimlite Mfg Inc. (“Trimlite” or the “Company”) announced today that is has acquired Builders Hardware Inc. (“BHI”). BHI is a leading distributor of exterior door products and hardware. Founded in 1954, and headquarted in Tampa, Florida, BHI has developed a strong presence across Florida by providing high quality products and value-added services to its diverse network of customers.

“I’d like to thank the Godwin family for their decades-long stewardship of this high-quality company. Les, Joel, and Jesse have built a wonderful distribution company and their values complement ours. We look forward to supporting BHI in their next phase of growth,” said Patrick Hooper, CEO of Trimlite.

“As we started to plan for the next chaper for BHI, we felt that Trimlite provided our people and family with the best option,” said Jesse Godwin, Owner/VPD. “Their commitment to service, quality, and industry expertise gave us a feeling that BHI will be great hands as we transition away from the business.”

Trimlite was acquired by Wynnchurch Capital L.P. (“Wynnchurch”) in July, 2021. “Wynnchurch welcomes BHI to the Trimlite team. We are excited to partner with BHI to continue to grow their business,” said Brian Crumbaugh, Partner at Wynnchurch. BHI is the first acquisition by Trimlite since their acquisition of CODEL Entry Systems in 2017.

About BHI:

Builders Hardware, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company that has been opening doors for Florida since 1954.  Our wealth of product knowledge regarding doors, door components, and hardware makes us experts in our industry.  We also always retain a sense of urgency to meet our customers’ need for the distribution of the right quality products at the right time. For more information, please visit: https://buildershardwareflorida.com/.

About Trimlite:

Founded in 1982, Trimlite Mfg Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of residential doors and related door products in North America. The Company supplies a broad offering of interior and exterior door slabs, prehung doors, door glass and doorlites, and other related products which are sold through its network of wholesale distributors, dealers and OEM customers. For more information, please visit: https://trimlite.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital:

Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with offices in California, New York, and an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $4.2 billion of committed capital under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. For more information, please visit: https://www.wynnchurch.com.

For more information please contact:

Brian Crumbaugh

Partner [email protected]

847-604-6100

Kevin Hanley

Vice President [email protected]

847-604-6100

Alex Randall

Senior Associate [email protected]

847-604-6100

Wynnchurch Capital Acquires Trimlite

Rosemont, IL – July 28, 2021 – Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. (“Wynnchurch”) announced today that it has acquired Trimlite Mfg Inc. (“Trimlite” or the “Company”). Trimlite is a leading manufacturer and distributor of residential doors and related door products. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Renton, Washington, Trimlite has developed a strong presence in the U.S. and Canada by providing high quality products and value-added services to its diverse network of wholesale distributors, dealers, local door retailers, and OEM customers.

“Over the years we have developed a strong reputation in the market for providing our customers with exceptional service, quick lead times and a broad offering of quality door products. Wynnchurch shares our commitment to putting the customers first and we are excited to partner with them as we pursue our next phase of growth,” said Patrick Hooper, CEO of Trimlite.

Brian Crumbaugh, Partner at Wynnchurch, said, “Since its founding, Trimlite’s commitment to customer service has allowed the Company to successfully broaden its product offering and expand into new geographies. We are excited to partner with Patrick and the entire Trimlite management team to continue growing the business.” Kevin Hanley, Vice President at Wynnchurch, added, “Trimlite is well positioned to benefit from strong market tailwinds, and we look forward to partnering with management to pursue attractive organic and inorganic growth opportunities.”

Wynnchurch is actively seeking investment opportunities for its $2.277 billion Fund V. In September, Wynnchurch made its first Fund V platform equity investment when it acquired Labrie Environmental Group, a leading manufacturer of refuse collection vehicles across North America. Other recent Wynnchurch investments include: Northern Wholesale Supply, a leading provider of RV and marine parts and accessories, The Wheel Group, a leading designer and distributor of branded aftermarket wheels, specialty tires and related accessories; and Drew Foam Companies, a leading manufacturer of custom fabricated and molded expanded polystyrene products.

About Trimlite: Founded in 1982, Trimlite Mfg Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of residential doors and related door products in North America. The Company supplies a broad offering of interior and exterior door slabs, prehung doors, door glass and doorlites, and other related products which are sold through its network of wholesale distributors, dealers and OEM customers. For more information, please visit: https://trimlite.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital: Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with offices in California, New York, and an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $4.2 billion of committed capital under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. For more information, please visit: https://www.wynnchurch.com.

For more information please contact:

Brian Crumbaugh Partner [email protected] 847-604-6100

Kevin Hanley Vice President [email protected] 847-604-6100

Alex Randall Senior Associate [email protected] 847-604-6100

July 15, 2019 — JELD-WEN Partners with Trimlite to Distribute Interior Door Products into Alberta and British Columbia

Surrey, British Columbia — One of the world’s largest window and door manufacturers has found a new partner in Western Canada. Starting on July 15, Trimlite will be the preferred supplier of JELD-WEN Flush and Moulded interior door products. Trimlite will be stocking JELD-WEN’s Flush and Moulded interior doors to support its customers in Alberta and British Columbia.

“We have had a long relationship with JELD-WEN both as a supplier and a customer,” said Trimlite President and CEO Patrick Hooper. “We believe JELD-WEN’s products fit well with our existing interior door products and will be a success for our customers.”

The Flush and Moulded interior door products offer an industry leading 5-year warranty as well as a variety of environmentally friendly options. JELD-WEN recently introduced the Birkdale, a Moulded 3-Equal Panel Shaker door style to complement its four other craftsman style doors.

“The ability to serve customers in Western Canada is a crucial element to our success,” said JELD-WEN of Canada President Robert Conway. “Much like JELD-WEN, Trimlite is a customer centric organization and through this agreement we are taking an important step forward to help our customers in Western Canada achieve their business goals and to expand and strengthen our own national footprint.”

“JELD-WEN’s product breadth sealed the deal,” commented Hooper. “We’re distributing environmentally-friendly products that meet every price point and product niche we don’t currently offer. It’s a natural fit.”

JELD-WEN’s door and window products are available throughout the United States and Canada from local retailers, door dealers and distributors. Visit trimlite.com or jeld-wen.ca to find a local dealer or to learn more.

About Trimlite
Founded in 1982 as a manufacturer of decorative glass inserts for steel door fabricators, Trimlite has evolved into a premier manufacturer and distributor of stile and rail doors, fiberglass doors, decorative glass and other home building products for the building materials industry across North America. The company has created a unique value proposition by developing an integrated supply chain that includes manufacturing facilities in China, Vietnam, Canada and the United States, as well as strategically positioned distribution locations across North America.

About JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN was founded by Richard “Dick” Wendt in 1960 after purchasing a bankrupt millwork plant in Klamath Falls, Oregon. With just 15 employees, JELD-WEN quickly gained the reputation of producing a reliable product. After just two years, JELD-WEN became successful enough to begin acquiring new manufacturing facilities and expand its product offering. Today JELD-WEN employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide and has manufacturing, distribution and showroom locations across Canada, the United States, and 23 other countries, located primarily in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Ross Murray Steps Down as Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Hooper Promoted to CEO

June 5^th, 2019 – The Trimlite Board of Directors has announced that Ross Murray, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, will step down from this role on July 1^st, 2019. Patrick Hooper will become the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trimlite. Ross will transition to an Executive Director role on Trimlite’s Board of Directors. He will work with Patrick and the existing leadership team on various strategic and operational initiatives at the company.

Ross has worked for over 30 years at Trimlite in various roles in both North America and Asia. Ross stated “I have had the pleasure to work at Trimlite — as an employee, as a partner, and as an owner. During this time, I have got to know so many of our employees, customers, and suppliers. I have watched how your contributions have made Trimlite a stronger and more successful company. I truly appreciate your friendship and your hard work and look forward to seeing this great company continue to grow.”

Patrick has worked at Trimlite for over 8 years and has been President since 2016. “It is an honor and a privilege to be named Chief Executive Officer for such a great company,” said Patrick. “I look forward to working with Ross, the Board of Directors, and the rest of the Trimlite team to continue to manufacture and distribute great products for our customers.” Before coming to Trimlite, Patrick worked for several building materials companies including Corning Inc., JELD-WEN, and ODL in a variety of management roles.