Topspin Partners

Description

Utrecht is a niche retailer of fine arts supplies with 43 stores nationwide. Utrecht also manufactures its own proprietary line of oil-based and acrylic paints out of a facility in Brooklyn, NY. Founded in 1949, the Utrecht brand is well-known and well-regarded among artists, both for its retailing expertise and assortment and the quality of its proprietary paints. We successfully sold Utrecht to a strategic acquirer in April 2013.

Leo Guthart founded Topspin in 2000. Prior to Topspin, he served as Vice Chairman of Pittway Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of its Security Group of companies, including Ademco, up until it was sold to Honeywell in 2000. After Pittway’s sale to Honeywell, he served as Chairman of the Security and Fire Solutions Group of Honeywell International. He was also Chairman of publicly-held Cylink Corporation, a leading U.S. supplier of encryption equipment that was sold to SafeNet Inc.

Stephen joined Topspin in January 2007. Prior to Topspin, Stephen worked at Harvard Business School and helped develop a new course on Private Equity Finance. He authored several cases that examined topics ranging from industry roll-ups to the emergence of new transaction structures in private equity. Prior to Stephen’s affiliation with Harvard Business School, he spent nearly three years with Spherion Corporation as the Manager of Sales Strategy and Operations Support. Stephen began his career with Bain and Company, where he focused on business services and manufacturing firms.

Steve is a member of the General Partner and co-founder of the Fund and Topspin I. Steve joined Topspin in July 2002. Steve has extensive experience in the consumer products, business services, information services and retail industries. He also has deep knowledge in the security alarm monitoring business, with substantial contacts garnered over years of leading transactions, developing relationships and reviewing opportunities in that niche industry.

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