BOSTON, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For the third consecutive year, Ampersand Capital Partners has been named to Inc.’s 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors list, which honors the private equity and venture capital firms with a proven track record for building strong partnerships with entrepreneurs. The list recognizes investment firms that remain actively involved with the businesses in which they invest while earning the trust of the entrepreneurs they support.

“Our investment philosophy extends far beyond simply meeting capital needs; it focuses on forging relationships with founders. Being consistently recognized by Inc. as a founder-friendly investor underscores our steadfast commitment to collaborating with entrepreneurs to realize a shared vision for growth and innovation in healthcare and life sciences,” said Herb Hooper, Managing Partner at Ampersand Capital Partners.

To compile the list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders filled out a questionnaire about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital, and debt firms and shared data on how their portfolio companies have grown during these partnerships.

“It has been a complicated few years for growth companies and the companies that fund them,” said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “So we are happy to share with our readers the best, latest guidance on which venture capital firms, private equity firms, and growth-capital lenders have the track record and reputation of being especially good partners to founders and CEOs.”

Introduced in 2019, the Founder-Friendly Investors list quickly established itself as one of Inc.’s most resourceful franchises. It has become a go-to guide for entrepreneurs who want to grow their companies while retaining an ownership stake.

To see the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2024 

The 2024 List of Founder-Friendly Investors was announced by Inc. on October 29, 2024, and the award is based upon information from the previous year. Ampersand Capital Partners (“Ampersand”) paid Inc. a nonrefundable application fee to participate in Inc.’s 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors Listing, which all applicants were required to pay. Ampersand submitted stories of founder-led investments and value creation as part of the submission entry. Inc. compiled its list by directly surveying founders who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms and worked with lenders. Inc. then examined data on portfolio company growth during those partnerships. This award is not to be construed as indicative of future performance. To see the complete list of award recipients, go to: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2024. 

About Ampersand Capital Partners
Ampersand Capital Partners, founded in 1988, is a middle-market private equity firm with $3 billion of assets under management, dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston, MA, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ampersand leverages a unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of the firm’s core healthcare sectors. For additional information, visit AmpersandCapital.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

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SOURCE Ampersand Capital Partners

CHICAGO, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — D2K Traffic, a leader in traffic management solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Jodie Braskich as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective October 15, 2024. Braskich brings over 20 years of experience in supply chain, operations, project management, and business development, making her a key addition to D2K Traffic’s leadership team during an exciting period of growth and innovation.

Braskich joins D2K Traffic following a successful tenure with Davey Resource Group, where she most recently served as Director of Midwestern Operations. In this role, she was instrumental in improving operational efficiencies, driving revenue growth, and delivering high-quality project results. Braskich’s deep understanding of field operations, coupled with her strategic leadership style, has made her a standout leader in the industry. She has consistently fostered strong partnerships and successfully led teams to exceed performance targets.

“Jodie’s proven expertise in operational leadership and her commitment to building trusted relationships with clients and teams alike will be invaluable as D2K Traffic continues to expand its services and reach new markets,” said Kathi Holst, CEO of D2K Traffic. “We are confident that Jodie’s vision and leadership will help us continue to deliver industry-leading traffic solutions to communities and businesses nationwide.”

Braskich is known for her collaborative approach and belief in empowering her teams to achieve success. Her ability to optimize operational performance and create long-term strategies has yielded sustained improvements in all aspects of project execution. With a strong focus on safety, quality, and performance, she will play a critical role in shaping the future of D2K Traffic’s operations.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Braskich enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband are parents to four sons and avid hockey fans. In her free time, they enjoy outdoor activities, including walking their Bernedoodle.

D2K Traffic looks forward to the leadership and expertise Braskich will bring to the company as it continues its mission to provide innovative traffic solutions that ensure safety and efficiency for communities across the country.

About D2K Traffic
D2K Traffic is a premier provider of traffic management services, offering cutting-edge solutions to improve traffic flow and safety in communities and businesses across the Midwest. Through its commitment to innovation and customer service, D2K Traffic delivers comprehensive traffic solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients.

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SOURCE D2K Traffic Safety, Inc.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —

bproauto aftermarket parts brand launched in January 2023 to the North American market More than 20 bproauto product lines are available today with additional part numbers and new products launching regularly bproauto parts will be showcased as part of upcoming vehicle reconditioning projects on MotorTrend TV shows “Two Guys Garage” and “Truck U” bproauto team is attending its second consecutive Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Show (booth A3233) in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-7, hosting Kevin and Willie B from “Two Guys Garage”  Large print and digital advertising presence features bproauto on Ratchet + Wrench, Shop Owner, Motor Age, CARS, EV World and Jobber News, as well as vehicleservicepros.com and ratchetandwrench.com bproautoparts.com features an intuitive, interactive online parts catalog with six ways to search parts bproauto parts are also available on e-commerce platform RepairLink and through a network of more than 3,000 distribution centers bproauto has an active social media presence on YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn 

bproauto, a leading provider of original equipment (OE)-backed and quality-tested aftermarket parts, is approaching its second year of operations in North America. Launched in January 2023, bproauto has rapidly expanded its product offerings and market presence, ensuring that customers have access to high-quality, competitively priced parts that are readily available, and warranty backed. 

“We set out to redefine the aftermarket parts landscape by bringing quality, reliability and ease of access to our customers,” said Dustin Pedley, global head of bproauto. “In less than two years, we have not only met those goals but exceeded them. Our growth has been fueled by a commitment to deliver parts that automotive professionals can trust.” 

Expansion of Product Offerings 
Since its inception, bproauto has steadily increased its product portfolio and now offers more than 20 categories of automotive parts. Products currently available include air and fuel delivery systems, brakes, driveline and axle components, electrical parts, engine filters, HVAC systems, suspension parts and more. 

“We are proud of the strides we’ve made in expanding our product range,” Pedley continued. “Our team works tirelessly to bring new, innovative parts to market. For the remainder of 2024, we are looking forward to launching a range of new products, including ignition coils, brake hardware and even collision parts.” 

High-profile Media Appearances 
Upcoming high-profile media appearances will see bproauto showcasing products as part of vehicle reconditioning projects on MotorTrend TV’s popular shows “Two Guys Garage” and “Truck U.” The brand will be featured in upcoming episodes through 2025, bringing greater awareness to its range of quality products.  

New episodes of “Two Guys Garage” featuring bproauto parts will air in early November while episodes of “Truck U” featuring bproauto parts will air beginning Dec. 15, 2024. 

Second Appearance at AAPEX 
bproauto is gearing up for its second consecutive appearance at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-7. Visitors to booth A3233 will have the chance to meet Kevin and Willie B from “Two Guys Garage,” talk to bproauto parts specialists and experience firsthand how easy it is to do business with the company. 

“AAPEX is a key event for us,” said Pedley. “It’s an excellent opportunity to connect directly with our customers and show them the full breadth of our product lineup and the benefits of choosing bproauto parts. We’re especially excited to have Kevin and Willie B join us for what promises to be an exciting showcase.” 

Digital Innovation and Marketing Presence 
The company’s robust digital presence has also played a critical role in its growth. With a large print and digital advertising campaign spanning industry publications like Ratchet + Wrench, Shop Owner, Motor Age and CARS, bproauto has cemented its presence as a go-to source for automotive parts. In addition, its intuitive online catalog allows users to search parts efficiently by category, make and model, VIN and even competitor part numbers. 

Industry Partnerships and Availability 
bproauto parts are now available on major platforms, like e-commerce site RepairLink, and through a network of more than 3,000 distribution centers, making them accessible to a broad range of customers across North America. This accessibility is complemented by the company’s active social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, providing customers with the latest updates and insights on products and industry trends. 

As bproauto nears its second year, the company remains committed to innovation, quality and customer satisfaction. With plans for continued expansion and new product launches on the horizon, the future looks bright for this rapidly growing brand. 

bproauto 
bproauto parts are OE-backed, quality-tested aftermarket parts designed for most makes and models. With a growing catalog of products, bproauto offers reliable, competitively priced parts that are readily available and backed by a comprehensive warranty. 

Complete information about bproauto is available at www.bproautoparts.com. 

Follow bproauto and company news and video on: 
bproauto brand: www.bproautoparts.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bproautoparts 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bproautoparts/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bproautoparts 

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SOURCE Stellantis