$100m Deployed in 2+ Years — Thanks to Industry Focus
In less than 3 years, Ben Hughes and Blue Ridge Construction Capital have acquired 4 platform companies in the building products industry, deploying over $100 million of equity. Their pace is the result of more than a decade spent in industry-focused investment banking. Due to their industry focus, Blue Ridge deliver value through deep domain expertise and superior access to deal flow, strategic capital, and key relationships.
For most dealmakers it is preferable to widen the net to access and see as many opportunities as possible. Ben Hughes exemplifies why a narrow net is the best long-term strategy.
Industry focus creates a multiplier effect.
Consequently, they have built a vast network of key relationships in the industry. They have seen hundreds of deals in the space. They have built expertise on everything from valuations to value creation plans. They know all the key capital players in the market, and they know all of the strategic acquirers that they can exit too at the end of their hold periods.
If you talk the language and have confidence in value creation levers, it may also help make you more competitive in bidding processes. You can talk the language with sellers and see opportunities that aren’t obvious to outsiders. You might even afford to pay a little extra versus generalists who don’t know the playbook.
Finally, investors love expertise and differentiation.
Listen to this episode of the Minds Capital Podcast to hear Ben Hughes’ take on why specialization matters and learn the impact it’s had on him and his team’s experience while scaling Blue Ridge Construction Capital.
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