Gardner Standard provides capital and operational expertise for lower-middle market acquisitions characterized by legal or operational complexity. We actively partner with independent sponsors who have secured a target but require a decisive partner to navigate distress, litigation, or insolvency.
Our Promise to Independent Sponsors
We Help with the Heavy Lifting
We close legally complex transactions when other capital providers walk. We routinely close deals burdened by legal, environmental or operational challenges.
Protected Economics
We respect your origination. We structure fee splits and promote participation that reward you for finding the deal, even when we take the lead on the equity investment, legal structuring, and operational turnaround.
Speed and Certainty
We do not have a bureaucratic, slow-moving investment committee. You speak directly to the decision-maker, and if we commit, we close.
Investment Criteria
Sector Preference
Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense and Engineered Products.
Situation
Corporate carve-outs, restructurings, 363 sales, Article 9 foreclosures, and operationally challenged businesses.
Role
Capital legal structuring and operational partner.
Structure
We offer transparent and market-standard economics. We are disciplined value investors, but highly creative and flexible in how we structure the deal to get it done.