March 2020 – Calder Capital, LLC is pleased to announce the successful sale of Walker, MI-based Laser Access Inc. to individual investor, Assy Okanin.
Established in 1999, Laser Access is a market leader in the greater West Michigan area for 5-axis laser cutting and welding services. The Company provides automotive prototyping for the die making industry, as well as, aerospace parts manufacturing, and processing of hydro-formed, roll-formed, tubular and stamped parts requiring holes, cut-outs and out perimeter trimming.
Laser Access’ former majority owner, Dan Szymanski, also owns Jedco, Inc. – a well-established and growing supplier to the aerospace and defense industries. Laser Access was originally established to bring 5-axis laser cutting in-house to Jedco, while excess capacity was to be utilized by serving other customers in the region. As the company grew its customer base and service offering, ownership decided that spinning it off made a lot of sense. Laser Access’s management team is supportive and excited about the sale. The company is looking forward to additional investment, leadership, vision, and growth under its new owner.
Andy Picard, the general manager, was excited about the sale. “I look forward to continuing to lead this company alongside Assy. Working with Dan has been an exciting journey, and I am looking forward to the next chapter focusing on the growth of Laser Access.”
“We are looking forward to continuing the growth of Laser Access in the Walker community,” said Assy Okanin, President of Laser Access, LLC. “We sincerely appreciate the assistance and connections provided by the teams at The Right Place and Calder Capital throughout this process, which made this acquisition possible.” The Right Place connected Mr. Okanin to the opportunities available through Calder Capital, which resulted in keeping ownership of Laser Access local.
“The Greater Grand Rapids Regional economy was built by locally-owned businesses,” said Birgit Klohs, President, and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “Many local companies are facing leadership transitions,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “These transitions can potentially put a company’s future growth in the region into question. We are pleased to have been able to connect Laser Access with new ownership committed to investing in the Greater Grand Rapids Region, and we look forward to watching them grow in Walker.”
Laser Access recently completed an expansion to a 28,000 sq. ft. Walker MI facility, which will ensure the Company’s ability to meet, exceed, and grow with the needs of future business.
Calder Capital’s Managing Partner, Max Friar, had this to say about the transaction, “Laser Access is a very nice business with tremendous upside. It was a pleasure working with both Dan and Andy throughout this transaction. We enjoy working with local manufacturing businesses and local buyers. I am appreciative of The Right Place’s efforts to connect Assy to Calder and look forward to watching Assy and Andy grow the business. I can’t wait to see where they take it!”
Calder Capital represented Laser Access as its exclusive Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory firm. Rick Purcey served as the lead advisor to Laser Access.
To date, the Calder/SBDA Team has completed 13 transactions in 2020, a Q1 record for the firms!
