West Palm Beach, Fla. − Comvest Partners (“Comvest”), an operationally focused middle-market private investment firm, has announced that funds advised by SK Capital Partners, LP (“SK Capital”) have made a strategic investment in Comvest’s portfolio company VanDeMark Chemical, Inc. (“VanDeMark” or the “Company”), a leading global producer of life science chemistries. Comvest will remain a co-owner of the Company.
Comvest’s partnership with SK Capital, a private investment firm with deep expertise in specialty chemicals, will help accelerate a new strategic direction in fine chemistries in global life science markets for VanDeMark, a platform company in Comvest’s private equity portfolio since 2019.
“Comvest’s support and investment in VanDeMark’s infrastructure, manufacturing processes, and management team over the last three years has strongly positioned the Company for its next chapter of growth,” said Roger Marrero, a Senior Partner of Comvest Partners. “As we continue to build upon VanDeMark’s robust foundation and enhance the quality and diversity of its product portfolio, we are thrilled to partner with SK Capital.”
Headquartered in Lockport, N.Y., with a facility in Kazincbarcika, Hungary, VanDeMark is recognized as a worldwide leader in the production of high-end specialty chemical intermediates and derivatives for a diverse set of end markets, including life sciences, electronics, polymers, coatings, personal care, and flavor and fragrances. With expertise in product research and development, process optimization, quality assurance, and the production of fine phosgene derivatives, the Company also offers custom manufacturing capabilities for global customers that view VanDeMark as a critical provider of specialty building blocks based on phosgene and other chemistries.
Jeff Davis, VanDeMark’s CEO, said, “We are excited to bring SK Capital into our ownership structure alongside Comvest Partners and management. Comvest has been very supportive of our growth and has assisted us in building a strong foundation. SK Capital’s investment is a validation of the strength of the global innovation platform we have built, and the firm’s sector focus and experience will allow us to rapidly build out a life sciences-focused platform, both organically and inorganically.”
King & Spalding LLP acted as legal counsel to SK Capital and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Comvest.
About Comvest Partners
Comvest Partners is an operationally focused private investment firm that has provided equity and debt capital to well-positioned middle-market companies throughout North America since 2000. Through its private equity, direct lending and special opportunities investment platforms, Comvest offers tailored investment solutions across the capital structure, deep industry and operating expertise, a collaborative approach, and significant transaction experience as an active investor. Today, Comvest manages more than $7.7 billion in assets, and has invested over $8.7 billion since inception. Based in West Palm Beach, Comvest also maintains offices in Chicago and New York. For more information, please visit www.comvest.com.
About SK Capital
SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals sectors. The firm seeks to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term economic value. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.
About VanDeMark Chemical
Since 1951, VanDeMark has specialized in the manufacture of fine chemicals acting as critical building blocks and intermediates for the life sciences sector. Today the Company offers a wide portfolio of these compounds and also retains unique custom manufacturing capabilities for global customers that see VanDeMark as a provider of critical chemistries for life sciences related applications. For more information, please visit https://vandemark.com/.