Lingate advises Calbrandt in sale to Summit Avenue Partners

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Summit Avenue Partners of Minneapolis, MN and Calbrandt President Eric Kramin have purchased the assets of Calbrandt, Inc. with headquarters and manufacturing operations in Delano, MN. Founded in 1979, Calbrandt is a leading designer and manufacturer of rail car movers, gate openers, and other equipment installed in railcar facilities across the United States and Canada, and other international markets. The company provides a broad base of blue chip, multi-national customers with products delivering automation, operating efficiencies, and safety solutions for their rail car loading and unloading operations.

Summit Avenue Partners is a Minneapolis-based private investment firm formed to invest the personal capital of its partners. The company’s investment strategy is to acquire privately-held family and operator owned businesses. “We are patient, long-term capital investors with no predetermined holding period and no pressure from institutions to invest capital,” said founder and partner Dan Kubes.

Minneapolis-based Lingate Financial Group was engaged to assist the Calbrandt family ownership group in the transition of the company and conducted a national marketing effort on the company’s behalf. In the end, Summit Ave Partners was selected for their longer hold period and local connection.

“Founder Calvin Brandt had stepped back from day-to-day operations roughly five years before the sale,” said President Eric Kramin. “He remains with the company in an advisory role through the end of 2026. Everybody else is staying on and they’re not bringing anybody in. And the community support will not change”

Founded in 1945, Lingate helps business owners with market-based valuations, business sales, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and internal transitions among family members, partners and management.