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Apogee Ceramics successfully completes a management buyout
Supporting a seamless transition that honours legacy and empowers the next generation
About the client
Headquartered in Brantford, Ontario, Apogee Ceramics Inc. (Apogee) is a specialized ceramic manufacturer serving industrial, commercial, and residential markets across North America, Europe, and Asia. The company produces infrared plaques, custom refractory, foundry products, and technical ceramics.
Led by the founders, Apogee has grown into a respected name in the industry since inception. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service has earned it a loyal client base and a strong reputation in the global ceramics market.
As the founders began planning for retirement, they looked inward to their trusted leadership team. Their vision for a smooth and values-aligned succession led them to key individuals on the management team who had already demonstrated a deep commitment and capability within the business.
The management team expressed interest in taking the reins and their shared vision and operational insight made them the ideal successors. The result was a successful management buyout that not only preserved the company’s legacy but also positioned it for continued growth under new leadership.
Our Transactions team, in collaboration with our Tax team played a key role in facilitating the transaction—providing strategic advice and tax planning. Working alongside our Transaction team, Apogee was able to secure financing and structure a transaction that aligned with the values of both parties. The management buyout was a thoughtful solution that builds upon Apogee’s success over the years and is intended to position the new owners well for shaping their next chapter.
Fast facts
Client
Apogee Ceramics Inc.
Transaction type
Divestiture
Services provided
M&A
Sector
Manufacturing
Close date
March, 2025
The client experience
We built this company from the ground up, so finalizing the management buyout was a truly bittersweet moment. It represented the culmination of years of hard work, commitment, and vision. It marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another—and we couldn’t have asked for better collaborators than Kris Yungblut and the team at Doane Grant Thornton to guide us through it. They understood that this wasn’t just a transaction—it was a major milestone in our journey.
The process was complex, but with their guidance, it felt smooth, structured, and surprisingly straightforward. We are incredibly grateful to the Doane Grant Thornton team for making what could have been an overwhelming process feel clear, manageable, and ultimately, extremely rewarding.
Robert Ico and Clint Murray
Apogee Ceramics Inc.
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