I Squared Capital acquires WOW Logistics

Private equity firm I Squared Capital recently acquired WOW Logistics, a Wisconsin-based integrated supply chain solutions provider.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1977 by Harold Schiferl and Don Utschig as Warehousing of Wisconsin, WOW operates 25 facilities located across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Idaho, and Washington offering an extensive portfolio of services, including temperature-controlled warehousing, real estate development, and transportation, alongside other logistics solutions.

“WOW Logistics is a great example of a family-owned business that has served its customers with excellence for decades,” Gautam Bhandari, I Squared chief investment officer and managing partner, said in a news release. “The company is a valued local employer and an active member of the communities where it operates.

“We are proud to partner with WOW to execute on our shared vision for growth while maintaining the company’s legacy as a dedicated partner to its customers.”

Over the past 45 years, WOW has grown with its customers, developing a reputation for consistent and responsive service that has fostered enduring relationships in the North American dairy industry, I Squared said.

Today, WOW is one of the largest food-grade, temperature-controlled and ambient-storage operators in North America, with a network that spans over 223 million cu. ft. of capacity. That network serves as a critical link in the supply chain infrastructure needs of its customers. By partnering with I Squared, there is a “tremendous” opportunity for WOW to modernize its storage infrastructure, improve operational resiliency, boost energy efficiency, and enhance and expand its warehouse network to meet rising global demand for core customers and other non-dairy protein producers, the firm added.

"We took great care in our approach to finding the right partner who not only shared our values and would preserve the legacy that WOW has built serving the Midwest dairy industry over the last 45 years, but also one who shared our vision,” WOW CEO Howard Kamerer said. “We are thrilled about our partnership with I Squared.

“Their global portfolio and ecosystem of tech-enabled investments will open up new avenues for growth and innovation, allowing us to accelerate our growth, enhance our operations, and expand the reach of our customers.”