Whitney Brothers Becomes Employee-Owned by Joining the Empowered Ventures Holding Company

Empowered Ventures, a 100% employee-owned holding company based in Carmel, IN, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Whitney Brothers, a Keene, New Hampshire-based manufacturer of high-quality wood furniture and educational products for daycares, preschools, and classrooms. The companies were introduced by Peloton Advisory LLC, who led the initiative and transaction process on behalf of Whitney Brothers.

Founded in 1904 as a producer of wooden toys, Whitney Brothers soon shifted to commercial distribution, ultimately focusing on the early learning and institutional childcare markets. Its sustainably manufactured products are available through educational distributors, dealers, and retailers that sell to schools, childcare centers, Head Start facilities, churches, libraries, and museums in North America and worldwide. Whitney Brothers has around 50 employees, with President Mike Jablonski leading the business since 2015.

“I am thrilled to welcome the entire Whitney Brothers team to Empowered Ventures,” said Empowered Ventures President & CEO, Chris Fredericks. “As an employee-owned holding company, we help business owners by providing a relatively easy buyout process that results in the employees joining our diversified ESOP. We are incredibly grateful to Mike for entrusting us with Whitney Brothers’ future and are excited to partner with him and his team going forward.”

“I am incredibly proud of what my team has accomplished, and so the decision to sell the business was easy," shared Mike. "In Empowered Ventures, we found a partner that deeply values both our employees and Whitney Brothers' rich 120-year history. Their commitment to honoring our legacy while investing in our people gives me great confidence in the future of the company. I am looking forward to leading the company into the future and working with the Empowered Ventures team to bring Whitney Brothers to new heights.”

Joining Empowered Ventures reinforces Whitney Brothers’ commitment to quality and innovation. With the acquisition, Whitney Brothers’ employees join the Empowered Ventures ESOP, which owns 100% of Empowered Ventures and its operating companies. Empowered Ventures brings strategic assistance and resources to support Whitney Brothers’ continued growth and success.

“When employees become owners, we find they become even more engaged and invested in the success of the business,” said Chris. “Succession planning can be an overwhelming process. Working with Empowered Ventures enables an owner to sell their business while confidently leaving it in the hands of those who know it best: the employees. It’s an ideal scenario for a company like Whitney Brothers. We are so excited for them to continue building on an incredible history and remaining a high-quality, innovative furniture and educational products manufacturer for decades to come.”

To learn more, visit Whitney Brothers at www.whitneybros.com and Empowered Ventures at www.empowered.ventures.

About Empowered Ventures

Founded in 2020 by leading fabric supplier TVF, which transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2010, Empowered Ventures is an employee-owned holding company based in Carmel, IN. Empowered Ventures helps business owners with succession planning by providing a long-term home for great companies and employees. Empowered Ventures is not a fund, has no outside investors, and uses its own capital to fund acquisitions. All employees of companies owned by Empowered Ventures join its employee ownership program.

About Whitney Brothers

Founded in 1904, Whitney Brothers is a manufacturer of high-quality wood furniture and educational products for early learning environments. Its award-winning and innovative products include seating, cribs, changers, storage units, play furniture, and more. Products are made entirely in the USA using state-of-the-art lean manufacturing methods. Whitney Brothers’ sustainably manufactured products are available through educational distributors, dealers, and retailers that sell to schools, childcare centers, Head Start facilities, churches, libraries, and museums in North America and worldwide.

About Peloton Advisory

Peloton Advisory LLC (www.pelotonadvisory.com) provides M&A advisory to highly successful, privately-owned entrepreneurial companies and their owners.

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