Announcing Buy-and-Build Strategy for Filtration

Atlanta, GA (September 15, 2021) – Altos Partners (“Altos”) today named filtration industry veteran, Kevin Nelson, as its newest Executive-in-Residence. Leveraging Mr. Nelson’s leadership and its existing portfolio company, JL Filtration, Altos is establishing a new platform to serve the needs of North American filtration customers across a multitude of industries.

With over forty years of filtration experience, Mr. Nelson has successfully progressed through positions in manufacturing, project management, engineering, marketing, sales management and executive leadership. He lastly served as President of Porvair Filtration Group, Inc. where he led a trebling of sales through acquisitions and organic growth. Kevin also enjoyed significant tenures with Purolator, Mann + Hummel USA, and Kaydon Filtration.

Stated Mr. Nelson, “I am very excited to join Altos Partners in this new role. Filtration is a great business to be in as filters are used everywhere in our daily lives – from cars to airplanes, homes to commercial businesses, schools to hospitals, manufacturing plants to municipal water systems. Filtration technology is ever improving, offering our customers and society better and better ways to clean our world. Altos has recognized filtration as a key industry to invest in, and I look forward to helping them develop and implement this exciting growth strategy.”

Ryan Franco, Managing Director of Altos, commented “our opportunistic acquisition of JL Filtration is now paired with a seasoned filtration executive to lead a comprehensive analysis of the industry, originate deals, and execute strategic combinations with businesses based on complimentary products and services, geographic coverage, and operating cultures. Our organization and capital resources stand at the ready to support Kevin and this endeavor.”

The Altos filtration platform acquires controlling interests in profitable filtration manufacturers, service providers, and distributors generating at least $10 million of revenue. Sellers can expect streamlined due diligence based on Altos’ industry expertise and, as is customary with all Altos-sponsored companies, are welcome to roll-over equity ownership in order to participate in the platform’s subsequent liquidity event.

Korn Ferry advised Altos on its Executive-in-Residence recruitment process.

About Altos Partners
Altos Partners is a differentiated private equity firm with a unique approach to conducting business. We consider our portfolio companies as true partners, not merely investments. Altos respects the people with whom we work and believes its value-added involvement is only beginning at the closing of a transaction. We remain engaged and empower company leaders to accelerate the true potential of their businesses. Altos’ primary focus is on entrepreneur-owned businesses but we remain flexible to explore other opportunities where our knowledge and interests are aligned. We target industrial and commercial service businesses with under $75 million in revenue and select only a handful of new platform opportunities to pursue each year.

About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.

For additional information

Ryan Franco, Managing Director

Altos Partners

[email protected]

Kevin Nelson, Executive-in-Residence

Altos Partners

[email protected]