William Backus

Stephens, Inc. is a full-service investment bank and brokerage firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm was founded in 1933 and is a subsidiary of Susi Holdings, Inc., which is owned by Stephens Financial Services LLC. Stephens provides comprehensive securities sales and trading services, including customized solutions for clients in North America and abroad.

Union Carbide Corp. engages in the production of chemicals and polymers. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: United States, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Its products include polyethylene and polypropylene, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, ethyleneamines, biocides, surfactants, deicing and anti-icing fluids, amines, solution vinyl resins and polyethylene glycols. The company was founded on November 1, 1917 and is headquartered in Seadrift, TX.

ChampionX LLC provides on-site water and process chemical treatment services. Its products are used in water treatment applications to prevent corrosion, contamination and the buildup of harmful deposits, in production processes. The company was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Naperville, IL.

Nalco Holding Co. provides water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protects people and vital resources. The firm also provides integrated water treatment and process improvement services for industrial and institutional applications, using technologically advanced solutions, combining chemical products and equipment, and consistent, reliable on-site service and expertise. The company was founded in November 2004 and is headquartered in Naperville, IL.

Part of Albemarle Corp., Oakite Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of inorganic chemicals and solutions. The private company is based in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Part of Tate & Lyle Plc, Amylum is a Belgian company that manufactures cereal products. The private company is based in Aalst, Belgium. Amylum was acquired by Tate & Lyle Plc from Compagnie Industrielle et Financière des Produits Amylaces SA on August 14, 2000 for $428.99 million.

Twitchell Technical Products LLC designs and manufactures polymer products and coatings. It produces custom specialty technical fibers, fabrics and engineered films to meet exacting performance and design requirements that are inputs in a diverse set of end products including interior window shades, awnings, screens, wall and floor coverings, environmental protection and containment products, surgical gowns, absorbents, automotive components and industrial packaging. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Dothan, AL.

Arsenal Capital Management LP (Arsenal Capital) is a private equity subsidiary of Arsenal Capital Group LLC founded in 2000 by Terrence M. Mullen and Jeffrey B. Kovach. The firm is headquartered in New York.

Part of Advanz Pharma Corp. Ltd., Monsanto Plc is a manufacturing, marketing, and British merchant company. The private company is based in High Wycombe, UK. Monsanto was acquired by Mercury Pharma Group Ltd. on June 08, 1999 for $7.67 million.

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. produces and distributes beef, pork and poultry, cooked and marinated meats. The company was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Wichita, KS.

Northwestern University is a private institution founded in 1851 to serve the Northwest Territory, an area that now includes the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. Northwestern has three campuses

Cornell University is an educational institution that offers undergraduate and post graduate programs. It was founded in 1865 and is based in Ithaca, NY.

United Sugars Corp. markets industrial and consumer sugar. Its products include granulated, powdered, brown, and liquid sugars. The company was founded in January, 1994 and is headquartered in Edina, MN.

Juice Tyme Inc. manufactures and sells juice and beverage concentrates for the foodservice industry. It offers juices, drinks, sugar-free beverages, thickened and enhanced waters, sports and energy drinks, iced teas, margaritas and cocktail mixers, frozen drinks and smoothie mixes, and flavor shots. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Highlander Partners LP (Highlander Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 2004 by Michael Robert Nicolais and Laurence E. Hirsch. The firm is headquartered in Dallas, Taxas.

Chicago Custom Foods LLC provides popcorn seasonings and other snack products. Its products include white cheddar, nacho cheddar, butter, ranch, kettle corn, cheesy jalapeno, caramel, bacon cheddar, salt, garlic parmesan, buffalo wing, and milk chocolate caramel. The company was founded by Brian Taylor in 1999 and is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL.

Vegetable Juices, Inc., was founded in 1934 by Dr. Dominic Rolle, a well-known food technologist. Dr. Rolle was dissatisfied with the way processed vegetables lost their savory characteristics during dehydration. He and his team set out to create a more satisfying way to flavor manufactured foods and subsequently developed an innovative line of vegetable juices, including garlic and onion juice products which are still widely used today. For more than 75 years, VJI has been a supplier of natural vegetable flavors and ingredients to food processors around the world. VJI is customers one-stop source to enhance the natural flavor, visual appeal, texture and health aspects of all customers food and beverage products. The company’s ready-to-ship products, development expertise and range of processing capabilities keep customers ahead of the trends and delight customers. The company delivers endless possibilities, naturally, with their Natural Ingredient Solutions® line of products.

Naturex, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of natural ingredients for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The company is headquartered in South Hackensack, NJ.

Martin, Fletcher & Associates LP provides recruitment services to the healthcare industry. The company was founded on January 02, 1999 and is headquartered in Irving, TX.

Sano Vita SRL provides vegetarian food distribution services. It offers soybean, honey, muesli, cereals, dried fruits, milk, pumpkin and peanut butter, coconut oil, peanuts, sunflower seeds, beverages, pasta, cookies, candies, and vegetables. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Pausesti-Maglasi, Romania.

Ascend Custom Extrusions LLC provides custom aluminum extrusions. Its services include coating, and fabrication and assembly options, such as welding, punching, bending, tapping, and drilling. The company was founded on January 17, 2011 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

Chile Botanics SA manufactures plant extracts with application in the food beverages industry, cosmetics, nutraceutical and farming. Its products include pharmaceuticals, animal feed and agriculture. The company was founded by Hans Konsens and Juan Jose Albarrán and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.

Aker Biomarine Manufacturing LLC is a brand that offers Superba Krill oil, a dietary supplement ingredient that contains phospholipid bound omega-3s and choline with clinically proven health benefits. The joint venture company is based in Houston, TX. The company is a leading supplier of krill oil in the world and aims to improve human health by utilizing the unique health benefits of krill oil.

LX/JT Intermediate Holdings, Inc. manufactures shelf-stable and frozen beverage products. Its product categories include cocktail and smoothie mixes, juice, teas, sports and energy drinks, enhanced waters, thickened water, slushy, and lemonades. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Naturex Dbs LLC supplies ingredients for food and cosmetics.

Bettera Brands LLC manufactures and markets jelly beans, gummy vitamins, sugar free and organic candy. The company is headquartered in Plano, TX.

Part of Givaudan SA, Naturex India Pvt Ltd. is an Indian company that produces and supplies aloe vera and apple juices. The private company is based in Mumbai, India. Naturex India was founded in 1994.