In manufacturing and industrial automation, technology decisions have a direct impact on performance, scalability, and enterprise value. Private equity firms and investors are increasingly exposed to risks tied to outdated systems, underperforming operations, and poor integration strategies. Without the right expertise, portfolio companies can struggle to deliver the efficiencies and reliability needed to hit growth targets.
Joltek provides independent consulting support for investors and private equity firms, helping them assess risk, validate opportunities, and unlock long-term value in industrial assets. With deep experience in manufacturing operations, control systems, and digital transformation, we translate technical complexity into clear business decisions.
We bring a structured, business-oriented lens to manufacturing and automation investments.
1. Operational Due Diligence
2. Risk and Obsolescence Assessment
3. Post-Acquisition Integration Support
4. Value Creation Strategy
A private equity firm was evaluating a packaging manufacturer and wanted an independent operational technology assessment before signing an LOI. The target’s financials looked strong, but the deal team had no way to assess the condition of plant floor systems from the CIM alone. Joltek conducted a two-day on-site assessment covering all PLCs, SCADA, MES, and network infrastructure. The report identified $4.1M in near-term capital requirements not reflected in the model, including two end-of-life control systems at risk of imminent failure. The PE firm used the findings to renegotiate the purchase price and build a post-close technology budget before signing.
Following the acquisition of a food manufacturer, a PE sponsor needed to deliver measurable operational improvement in 100 days to meet its investment thesis. Joltek was engaged immediately post-close to assess operations, identify the highest-impact opportunities, and lead execution. Within 60 days, Joltek had completed an OEE baseline across three production lines, identified a $1.8M annual saving from downtime reduction, and launched two improvement initiatives. By day 100, the first initiative was complete and the portfolio company had measurable results to report to the board.
A PE firm building a manufacturing platform through add-on acquisitions needed a consistent technology and operations playbook that could be applied each time a new company was added. Each acquisition had different systems, different reporting, and different maturity levels, making it impossible to manage the portfolio with consistent visibility. Joltek developed a platform-wide digital maturity framework, a standard KPI reporting structure, and an OT architecture standard that could be applied to each new acquisition. The firm now has a repeatable process for onboarding add-ons and a shared data model that allows cross-portfolio benchmarking.
OT due diligence is an on-site assessment of a manufacturer’s control systems, automation infrastructure, and operational technology stack. It documents every PLC, SCADA, MES, historian, and network asset with its age, vendor support status, condition, and capital replacement timeline. The output is a risk-adjusted investment requirement that financial models can incorporate, plus an assessment of how well the technology supports the company’s operations.
Most single-facility assessments can be completed within 5–7 business days from engagement. On-site work typically takes 1–2 days. The written report with findings, risk ratings, and capital estimates is delivered within 3–5 business days after the site visit. For multi-site or complex acquisitions, timelines are discussed during scoping.
In the first 100 days, the most achievable improvements are those that reduce immediate operational risk and establish measurable baselines. This typically includes completing an OEE assessment, identifying and initiating the top 2–3 improvement opportunities, and setting up the reporting infrastructure for ongoing visibility. Quick wins such as maintenance schedule optimization, changeover reduction, or data integration fixes can often deliver measurable results within the first 60 days.
Yes. Joltek supports both entry and exit. Pre-exit, we help portfolio companies clean up technical debt, document systems properly, and position operational improvements in a way that demonstrates value to the next buyer. A well-documented and modernized OT environment reduces perceived risk for acquirers and supports higher valuations. We can also help prepare the operational technology section of a Quality of Earnings or CIM package.
Explore these Joltek resources on manufacturing consulting and supply chain strategy for investors:
