INDUSTRIAL & PHYSICAL SERVICE-BASED INDUSTRIES | GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE
Acquiring & operating one great business for the long term
Hedgewood Heights is backed by permanent family capital. We are looking for one business to buy, run day to day, and own for decades - with the same care its founder put into building it.
A NOTE TO BUSINESS OWNERS
The right successor matters just as much as the right price
If you have spent decades building a company, selling it is not just a financial decision. You want to know that the people who helped you build it will be looked after, that your customers will be served the way they are used to, and that the name on the door will still mean something.
I understand that because I grew up in a family business. My grandfather started a stainless steel recycling business in 1969, and my family still runs it today. I have seen up close what it takes to build a company over decades, and how much it means to the people who depend on it.
I founded Hedgewood Heights with a clear purpose: to acquire and personally lead one established business, building on its legacy for the long term. Before that, I spent several years in investment banking at Evercore and private equity at Altas Partners, working on acquisitions and alongside management teams on how their businesses run day to day. That experience means I know how to evaluate a business fairly, structure a deal that works for both sides, and get to closing without any surprises. Importantly, our capital comes from my family, not from outside fund investors - so there is no timeline forcing a resale.
If you are starting to think about what comes next, I would welcome a conversation, even if a sale is years away.
OUR APPROACH
A successor, not just a buyer
We are not a fund with a five-year exit date, and we are not adding you to a portfolio. We are buying one company to run and grow for the long term.
Permanent capital
Our equity comes from a family business, not outside fund investors. There is no clock forcing a resale, so decisions are made for the next twenty years, not the next exit.
An owner on site
Sammy will run the business full time - alongside your team, customers, and suppliers. Not from a boardroom, and not through a hired manager.
Your people and name
The employees, customer relationships, and reputation you built are the foundation of the business. Protecting them comes first - and we will plan the transition with you, at your pace.
Certainty to close
Our equity is already committed, so we do not need to raise money before making an offer. We keep diligence focused and tell you plainly where things stand.
How we compare to other buyers
Most owners have a few kinds of buyers to choose from, and each can be the right fit for different goals. Here is how we typically differ.
| Hedgewood Heights | Private equity fund | Competitor or strategic buyer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time horizon | Long-term ownership with no planned resale | Usually plans to sell again within 3-7 years | Permanent, but as part of a larger company |
| Who runs it | The new owner, full time and on site | A hired management team, overseen by a board | The acquirer's existing management |
| Your employees | Retaining the team is central to the plan | Depends on the fund's plan for the business | Roles that overlap are often consolidated |
| Name and legacy | Kept and built on | One company in a portfolio | Often merged into the buyer's brand |
| Staying involved | Your choice, including keeping a minority stake | Often requires the owner to reinvest and stay on | Usually a short handover |
| Source of capital | Permanent, committed family capital | Outside fund investors expecting a return on a set timeline | Corporate balance sheet |
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
What we look for
These are guidelines, not rules. If your business is close but not an exact fit, we would still like to hear from you.
Think your business fits? Get in touch
ABOUT
Meet Sammy
Sammy Fleisher is the Founder and President of Hedgewood Heights. Growing up around his family's industrial business shaped how he thinks about ownership: it is a long-term responsibility, not a transaction.
Before founding Hedgewood Heights, Sammy was on the investment team at Altas Partners, a US$10B+ private equity firm based in Toronto and New York. There he conducted diligence on potential acquisitions and helped oversee one of the firm's largest portfolio companies, working directly with its management team on growth initiatives.
Sammy began his career in investment banking at Evercore in New York, where he advised companies and their owners on mergers, acquisitions, and financings. He worked closely with senior management teams to prepare businesses for sale, build financial forecasts, and run transactions from first outreach through closing.
Sammy graduated from the Ivey Business School with an Honors of Business Administration, and was awarded the Gold Medal for the highest graduating average in his class. While at Ivey he was elected President of the Student Council, overseeing a six-figure budget and 140-person organization for the school's 1,500 students.
Outside of work, Sammy is a lifelong Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Bills fan. He is an avid student of history, and loves to watch movies, TV shows, or go out for dinners with friends. He lives in Toronto with his long-term girlfriend, and has three brothers who he's proud to also call his best friends.
HOW IT WORKS
What working together looks like
Every conversation is confidential, and you set the pace.
An introductory call
A no-pressure conversation about your business, your goals, and what a good outcome looks like for you.
A first look, under NDA
We continue building on our relationship and review a short list of information, coming back to you with an indication of value and how we would structure a deal.
Letter of intent
We spend more time at the business with you, then put clear terms in writing so you know exactly what we are offering.
Closing and transition
Focused confirmatory diligence - then a transition plan built around you, your team, and your customers.
QUESTIONS
What owners usually ask
Have a question that is not here? Ask us directly.
What happens to my employees?
Our plan is to keep your team in place. The people who built the business are a big part of why we want to own it, and Sammy will be working alongside them every day.
How long would I need to stay involved after the sale?
That is something we decide together. Many owners stay for a transition period, often six to twelve months, to introduce us to customers, suppliers, and the team. Some prefer a shorter handover, and some stay on longer in an advisory role.
Can I keep part of the business?
Yes, owners who want to stay invested in the company's future can keep a minority stake. We can be flexible in transaction structure depending on owner priorities.
How do you decide what to offer?
This depends on several factors - including the business' cash flow, growth prospects, and reputation within the industry. We will walk you through how we got to our number rather than just handing you one.
Is your financing in place?
Our equity is fully committed through permanent family capital, so we do not need to raise money from outside investors before making an offer.
How long does the process take?
We are prepared to move from the first serious conversation to closing within a few months, although we will always move at a pace that works for you and your business.
Do I need a broker?
No. We are happy to talk with you directly, and just as happy to work alongside your broker, lawyer, or accountant if you have one.
What if I am not ready to sell yet?
That is completely fine. Many of the best conversations start years before a sale. We are glad to get to know you and your business early, with no obligation.
GET IN TOUCH
Let's talk, in confidence
Business owners, brokers, advisors, and lenders are all welcome.
Brokers and advisors: we are glad to sign an NDA, review opportunities quickly, and give you a clear answer either way.