ABV, through its northeastern U.S. flagship brands Southern Tier, Victory and Sixpoint, is one of the leading craft brewing operators in the United States. Woodland co-invested in ABV with investment sponsor Ulysses Management. www.stbcbeer.com
Our History
Leed’s, now Polyconcept, grew from a start-up importer of small leather goods and business accessories into the largest global supplier of promotional products with more than $700 million in current annual sales. Leed’s history and success is the foundation for Woodland Management.
The seeds for Woodland Management began with Tom and Michael Bernstein, whose entrepreneurial drive, vision and leadership led to the success of Leed’s and now Polyconcept.
Tom Bernstein co-founded Leed’s in 1986 with his partner Bruce Weiner. Initially, Leed’s imported small leather goods and business accessories, which were sold to retailers. Later Leed’s changed its business strategy to become a supplier to the advertising specialties market. In an eight year period, Leed’s became one of the largest and most innovative suppliers in the promotional products industry.
Michael Bernstein joined Leed’s in 1992 during a period of rapid growth. Michael focused on product development and design, and played a key role in helping to accelerate the company’s growth to $75 million in sales at the time of its first sale, to BancBoston Capital, in 2000.
After the sale of Leed’s, Tom Bernstein founded Woodland Management, a family office, with his sons Michael and Todd. Tom and his wife Karen also formed the Marci Lynn Bernstein Fund, a charitable foundation which supports various local charities in Pittsburgh, Sarasota and Israel. Tom serves on several non-profit boards in the United States and abroad.
Michael Bernstein became CEO of Leed’s in 2000. Under Michael’s leadership, Leed’s completed four substantial and strategic acquisitions, merged with Polyconcept, Europe’s largest promotional products supplier, and led the company through a second exit to Investcorp in 2005. Over the last 15 years, Polyconcept grew to more than $700 million in sales across five continents.
How We Work
Founded in 2004, Woodland Management invests in growing companies, typically with $5 million to $75 million in sales. Woodland’s five principals offer a strong collective depth of experience as both operators and investors. Our backgrounds and experience enable us to:
- Evaluate investment opportunities quickly and decisively
- Support an operator or investment sponsor before or after
an acquisition without overplaying our role - Add value through constructive engagement with the
companies and partners with whom we invest
Investment Criteria
Woodland co-invests up to $5 million with talented operators and proven investment sponsors. Preferred industries to invest include:
- Consumer
- Promotional products
- Business and healthcare services
- Franchises
- Payments
- Niche manufacturing & distribution
We have had success and like to invest in situations in which we partner with investors who provide capital and experience to serve as a catalyst for continued growth of fundamentally good businesses.
