<< back to press releases Brazos Private Equity Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Strategic Equipment and Supply Corporation, a Top U.S. Distributor of Foodservice Equipment Continued Growth, Acquisitions and Expanded Coverage Planned for Foodservice Industry Leader DALLAS, Texas (Feb. 17, 2005) - Brazos Private Equity Partners, LLC, a leading Dallas-based private investment firm, today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Strategic Equipment and Supply Corporation ("Strategic"), also of Dallas, one of the nation's leading providers of equipment, services, supplies, smallwares and fabrication to the foodservice industry, with annual sales of nearly a quarter-billion dollars. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Strategic (www.strategicequipment.com) was formed in 2000 by the merging of six successful independent foodservice equipment and supply businesses, and has completed two additional acquisitions. Since it was founded, the company has sustained an impressive growth rate as well as a ranking as one of the top players in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. Strategic provides turnkey equipment, supplies, fabrication, smallwares and project management solutions for major restaurant chains, supermarkets, healthcare facilities and independent restaurants. Notable customers include Outback Steakhouse, Chick-fil-A, Ruby Tuesday, Publix, Whole Foods and Novation. The company, which operates 15 regional facilities, has been instrumental in opening over 10,000 restaurants worldwide. Randall Fojtasek, a Brazos Partner, said: "Strategic Equipment and Supply is a major player in the $8.4 billion foodservice equipment industry-a strong, successful company with an outstanding management team, a blue-chip customer base and, we believe, significant growth potential. We look forward to partnering with CEO Kevin Bruce and his colleagues on the Strategic team, who participated with us as investors in the transaction, to realize that potential by vigorously pursuing a buy-and-build strategy with Strategic as our growth platform." Kevin Bruce, who will continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Equipment and Supply, said: "After another record year-our fourth year in a row of record growth-we're very excited about our new relationship with Brazos, which will help us reach our broader potential by expanding geographic coverage, enhancing our market position, and providing additional resources for customers." Bruce added: "Our number-one priority is serving our customers with responsive, reliable service and support. With Brazos as our partner, we anticipate bringing better pricing to our customers through more expansive growth both internally and through acquisitions." About Brazos Private Equity Partners, LLC Brazos Private Equity Partners specializes in leveraged acquisitions and recapitalizations of established middle-market companies with strong and proven management teams, predictable and growing cash flows, and significant growth potential. Based in Dallas, Brazos partners with management teams to invest in manufacturing, consumer products and services, healthcare, media, distribution, and financial service businesses. Since 2002, Brazos has completed twenty transactions, including nine platform acquisitions. For additional information about Brazos, please visit the firm's website at www.brazospartners.com. About Strategic Equipment and Supply Corporation Strategic Equipment and Supply Corporation is one of the foodservice industry's leading providers of equipment, services and supplies. Strategic offers computer-aided design and layout, custom millwork, fabrication of stainless steel, smallwares replacements, and professional, on-time delivery and installation. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company operates 15 regional locations across the country. For more information, visit www.strategicequipment.com.