Our Track Record

>10x share price growth in Anacacia’s best performing portfolio companies

>100 investments into leading SMEs over the last 15 years (>50 Private, >50 Listed)

>1,000 people employed by Anacacia’s Private Equity Portfolio Companies

>60% median earnings growth of private SMEs during Anacacia’s Ownership

Private Equity Portfolio Companies

  • Big River manufactures and distributes timber and steel formwork products, timber flooring, structural plywood and related timber products and distributes a broad range of other building products, primarily to the residential, non‐residential and infrastructure construction market segments.

    The Company has a network of over 2 dozen distribution centres across Australia and sources its products from both its own manufacturing facilities and also many Australian and international manufacturers of building products.

    Former Big River CEO, Jim Bindon said: "The team at Anacacia were critical to the successful evolution of Big River from a long term family owned business, through to a well governed private company and then to an ASX listed company. They are a pleasure to have as partners and shareholders."

  • Direct Couriers provides first mile and last mile delivery services throughout Australia and in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Barry Reichman, Direct Couriers Managing Director, commented that “Anacacia have a proven track record and a wealth of experience and success in supporting the expansion and growth of companies like Direct Couriers, and I believe they are the right partner to help us achieve our growth aspirations”.

  • Duncan Solutions offers integrated parking and smart city technology solutions using its proprietary Parking Enterprise Management System. The solution suite includes meters, sensors, guidance, payment and enforcement software.

    Trent Loebel, Former Group CEO, said "This milestone of attracting Anacacia is a testament to our loyal customers, staff and suppliers. This is really just the beginning for smart city technology. There are many opportunities to solve numerous challenges faced by our customers by exploiting a range of evolving technologies.”

  • Force Fire designs, installs and maintains fire protection systems such as wet and dry sprinklers, detectors and fire suppression systems into commercial, industrial and other buildings. The business has grown through its reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget, and giving peace of mind to its clients in the protection of their people/assets and their compliance obligations. Force Fire’s client list includes many of the leading construction companies, developers and building owners on high profile projects and sites..

    Paul Richetti, co-founder and former Managing Director, said: “This is a terrific opportunity to provide even better service to our customers with our wonderful staff now complemented by the impressive Anacacia team.”

  • Mwave is a leading online retailer focused on the video gaming, pc enthusiast and tech hardware niches. The business also supplies the SME business segment.

    Victor Lee, the founder of Mwave said: “We are thrilled to welcome Anacacia Capital onto the share register alongside us. The Anacacia team demonstrated a clear willingness to understand the unique characteristics of our business model and our industry. We are excited about this next chapter with Anacacia, and I believe Mwave will continue to go from strength to strength.”

  • Opteon is an international provider of valuation, advisory and specialist property services and innovative software solutions in the Australian, New Zealand and US markets. The business has over 500 qualified, experienced valuers in more than 60 locations providing reliable services for every property type and in every market sector.

    Opteon's key business areas include commercial, industrial, retail, residential, advisory, government services, tax depreciation and property software solutions. Opteon's proprietary valuation management platforms, its superior assurance systems for risk and compliance, and its award-winning people are what makes Opteon the market leader in property valuation and advisory services.

  • Pump provides targeted products to address a range of consumer needs (e.g. curly hair, longer hair and lashes). Pump makes all its products in Australia with natural ingredients and use 100% recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging. The business sells its products directly to customers and salons globally mainly through its online store.

  • RP Infrastructure advises government and private clients on infrastructure projects across the road, rail, aviation, healthcare, schools, tertiary education, housing, justice and civic and cultural infrastructure sectors.

    Its founder, Peter Root said “We are very optimistic about the increasingly significant role played by infrastructure investment in the prosperity of Australia. Our strategic collaboration with Anacacia will drive outstanding new opportunities for the firm and our people, and allows us to continue to deliver the best possible service to current and future clients... phenomenally supportive partners.”

  • Sureway assists jobseekers by developing their skills and providing personal support to move them into sustainable employment via a team of ~350 staff in over 100 locations throughout Australia. It does this primarily through three Australian Government programs: Jobactive (now Workforce Australia Employment Services), Disability Employment Services, and Career Transition Assistance.

    Matthew Hall, CEO, said “As a passionate, regionally based organisation, Sureway is excited about the further growth opportunities this strategic alliance with Anacacia provides. We have a very strong understanding of the needs of both employers and jobseekers in regional Australia and with the added support Anacacia offers, we will continue to deliver services which meet the specific labour market needs in our communities.”

Former Private Equity Portfolio Companies

  • Acculec sells electric power products mainly to utilities and heavy industry along with earthing, lightning protection and surge protection products to infrastructure, construction and resource clients. Acculec add value through quality control, testing, packaging and modifying products to meet Australian and New Zealand standards.

    Acculec Chair Kevin Clarke said: “Anacacia have been outstanding cornerstone investors for the last 6 years that have added significant value on our journey including helping us to secure Legend as the new owners of Acculec.”

  • Appen develops data for machine learning and artificial intelligence across more than 180 languages for large technology organisations. Anacacia's private equity fund invested in the family business in 2009. We worked with the founders and management team as active directors and majority shareholders to grow the business and list on the ASX. The 2019 share price is >40x the IPO price and well in excess of Anacacia's initial entry price providing material shareholder value for the founders and management shareholders. Anacacia's Wattle Fund remains a shareholder. ​

    Appen co-founder and Non-Executive Chairman Chris Vonwiller, who is still a shareholder today, said: “It has been a very positive and rewarding experience to have Anacacia as a fellow Appen shareholder. Jeremy and his team have helped strengthen our senior management and Board and position the business for further strategic growth...I have greatly valued Jeremy's contributions and collegiality as a fellow director and fellow investor in Appen. His involvement in our company extends back some eight years, so it has been a big part of our history. Anacacia has been a part of Appen’s success, and Appen in turn has contributed to Anacacia’s success. The board will miss Jeremy's experience, knowledge, collegiality and judgement, but I look forward to ongoing contact and friendship though the Wattle Fund linkage.”

  • Catalyst Education includes specialist providers, Selmar Institute of Education, Practical Outcomes and the Royal College of Healthcare. The Company focuses on areas of strong career need in the economy such as early childhood, disability, community and aged care industries.

    ​Jo Asquith, CEO of Catalyst Education, said: “A key strength of our partnership with Anacacia is that while we bring expertise in the delivery of quality training packages the team at Anacacia provide outstanding growth and opportunity support as well as strategic direction to take our organisation to the next level. Anacacia’s proven commitment to support their companies at all levels has been unprecedented during a challenging 2020.”

  • Anacacia analysed the cooking appliance industry in 2009 before deciding to invest in the Euromaid and subsequently IAG businesses to form Home Appliances as a leading supplier of affordable high quality appliances. Major brands include the Euromaid, IAG, ARC, Fagor and Elica cooking appliances range supplied to leading retailers in Australia and New Zealand. While maintaining the involvement of the founders but also helping them to manage succession by strengthening the management team, Anacacia supported Home Appliances to more than double in four years. Jeremy Samuel and Michael Braham were active non-executive directors throughout the investment.

    Owen Morgan, Managing Director during Anacacia’s Investment, said: “It is a terrific opportunity to work alongside the talented Anacacia team. Anacacia have demonstrated an outstanding ability to analyse and support the business to make strategic and financial decisions as well as manage the inevitable people side of a traditional family business and we welcome their investment and critical Board contribution ... we are grateful for the contribution of Anacacia Capital to Home Appliances' success”.

  • K Care Healthcare Equipment has established an extensive range of products for Hospital, Residential Aged Care and Community Care sectors.

    Anacacia supported the management team to acquire the K Care business from Hills Holdings and then improve its base with a couple of strategic acquisitions in Sydney and Melbourne. ​The business offers a range of assistive technology equipment, aged care products, hospital, veterinary and residential aged care (nursing home) equipment.

    Grant Clark, Managing Director during Anacacia’s Investment, said: "We were really well supported by the Anacacia team through both good and challenging times. They always demonstrated the utmost integrity."

  • LEDified manage the full LED upgrade and SME solar installation process. Customers can pay upfront or through payment plans via their utility bills so the savings pay for the installation costs. Anacacia maintains a small minority interest.

    Suren Chandrajit, CEO during Anacacia’s Investment said: “We recognise with a market growing as fast as it is, it’s beneficial to have institutional capital to support growth rather than growing off our limited balance sheet and personal wealth”.

  • Lomb is a leading distributor of chemicals, consumables and instrumentation to scientific laboratories in the Asia-Pacific region with offices across Australasia.

    Anacacia approached Lomb in late 2007 as part of its research into businesses with a low correlation to the economic cycle. Lomb had succession and growth issues where Anacacia could assist. Anacacia helped recruit a new Managing Director and Jeremy Samuel and David Allman from Anacacia were active non-executive directors on the Board. Over almost 3 years, Anacacia assisted with key strategic, financial and operational decisions to help substantially lift earnings and position the business for a successful sale. Jeremy Samuel, Anacacia's lead director on Lomb, said: "The result was outstanding for the founder's family, management team and Anacacia shareholders".

    Alan Lipman, Executive Director of Lomb Scientific before and during Anacacia's investment, said: “Anacacia have added tremendous value to our strategy and operations and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them. I will gladly give any business owner several million reasons why they should try to entice Anacacia to invest in their business.”

  • Muir design and manufacture a range of equipment for an extensive product range for pleasure, motor and sail yachts, work boats, fast ferries, and customs and defence vessels. John Muir founded the business in 1968 that today exports to over 50 countries and has won numerous awards and has developed a reputation for quality, performance and reliability among vessel and boat builders globally.

    John Muir, the founder, said: "Muir has been a family owned business for many years now, and in truth it was hard to get comfortable with the idea of a new investor in the business, but Anacacia were supportive, responsive and transparent which gave us confidence to partner with them. A thorough due diligence process also gave us a lot of time to get to know each other."

  • NW Group is a major event service provider throughout the Asia-Pacific operating under the Norwest, Oceania and Cairellie brands.

    NW Group rents specialised equipment and provides technical staff to assist with corporate and specialty events, Olympic Games, concerts, festivals, broadcast and theatre. Norwest has acquired Mclean Audio, Oceania Audio and Cairellie, all leading professional audio, lighting, production hire and specialist event services businesses, since Anacacia's initial investment.

    Chris Kennedy, founder and Director of NW Events, said: "We are delighted to have Anacacia Capital as an investor in our business. They have added significant value to our decision making. Anacacia have helped us make great acquisitions and strengthened our core business. In truth, I could not recommend them more highly."

  • Planet Services is a provider of hydraulic solutions for projects and developments to major buildings, infrastructure and projects. Planet manages a hydraulic project from the conception, design and planning stage through to implementation. Anacacia helped strengthen the management and improve the strategic and operational focus on the business during its investment.

    Anthony Alafaci, Managing Director during Anacacia’s Investment, stated: “I have appreciated working with Anacacia as investors and partners in Planet Plumbing. We feel very fortunate to have attracted Anacacia who added a depth of talent to our business and we wish them well in the future."

  • Rafferty's is a leading supplier of baby and children's food. Rafferty’s Garden grew through product innovation in a market where parents craved nutritious, well packaged food.

    Anacacia approached Rafferty's in 2009 and invested in 2010 to support its growth and succession issues. Rafferty’s Garden was a pioneer of convenient pouch packaging and healthy food and improved nutrition through the use of premium natural ingredients and specialised production techniques avoiding many of the additives of other brands. Rafferty's Garden was named in Australia's BRW 2011 & 2012 Fast Starter list and the won the AVCAL industry Chairman's Award. Jeremy Samuel and Ern Pope were active non-executive directors throughout the investment.

    Michael Tinkler, Managing Director of Rafferty's Garden during our investment said: "It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Anacacia team and our Board. They have delivered significant value in assisting Rafferty's Garden's enormous growth. They have been a great sounding board and facilitated a terrific exit to a great longer term home for the business. I would give any business owner or management team the strongest recommendation on Jeremy and the team."

  • RIS designs, manufactures, distributes and installs an extensive range of tested and standards compliant height safety products to keep everyone working at heights safe, whether the requirement is fall protection, confined space or rope access solutions. RIS protects people from harm.

    CEO during Anacacia’s Investment, Barry Johnson said: “Anacacia Capital has been an incredibly supportive shareholder for RISsafety over seven years, there for us both in tough and good times. I have found their contribution as non-executive directors and shareholders to be invaluable in transforming RISsafety into a much stronger business and leaving us and the new shareholders with a terrific platform for continued future growth.”

  • Yumi’s has grown by offering non-dairy and gluten free dips, snacks, bites and smoked fish in a growing market for everyday consumption and entertaining. ​ Yumi's has grown more than 20% per annum over the last 5 years. It is now one of Australia's market leaders.

    Anacacia invested in to the business in early 2014. Together Anacacia, the Friedman family and management team have worked hard over the last 4 years to quadruple the size of the business.

    "I could not have asked for a better business partner than Anacacia Capital and we will greatly miss the board contribution from Jeremy Samuel and Ern Pope and thank Anacacia more generally for their invaluable assistance these last few years” said Michael Friedman (CEO during Anacacia’s Investment)

Awards & Accolades

Anacacia's funds and portfolio companies continue to win the industry's most prestigious awards.

Anacacia won the inaugural Firm of the Year Award from the Australian Investment Council.

Firm of the Year

Anacacia was awarded Best Small Cap Investment Award for Anacacia's investment in Yumi's.

Best Small Cap Investment

Best Fund Management Analyst

Anacacia's Wattle Fund awarded ​Best Fund Management Analyst.

Ranked Australia's best returning buyout fund.

Australia’s Best Performing Buyout Fund Ever

Wattle Fund ranked in top 10% of all Australian public equity funds for the last three years by Mercer.

Top 5% Fund

Chairman's Award (Rafferty's Garden)
Best Expansion Award (Lomb Scientific)
Best Small Buyout (Appen)

AVCAL Chairman’s Award

Australian Growth Company Awards

Exit of the Year for Anacacia's Rafferty’s Garden investment, growth and sale.

BRW Fast 100 named Anacacia portfolio companies Appen, Home Appliances and Rafferty's Garden as three of the seven largest Australian companies on the BRW Fast 100 list.

BRW Fast 100 2012

Anacacia portfolio companies, Norwest Productions and Appen were both successful finalists.

Premiers Export Awards

Deloitte Fast 50 named Anacacia portfolio company Appen in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Deloitte Technology Fast 50

Disruptor Award
(LEDified Lighting)

BRW Aspire Awards