A month into the summer internship season, a cohort of Granite Company interns gathered for Granite Intern Day. Thirty interns were present, representing six of the Granite Companies, Granite Partners, and Anderson Center.
As these interns kickstart their careers, this day offers the chance to learn and connect with peers.
Interns listening to the forum presentation.
The event was held at Granite Innovations, a destination for advancing the Granite mission to grow companies to create value for all stakeholders. One of the main functions of this multi-disciplinary space is as a training center, enriching wellbeing through professional development.
In partnership with the Human Resources team at Granite Partners, Granite Intern Day was hosted by Anderson Center. Kevin Ennis led the FranklinCovey® 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Foundations forum. He is a FranklinCovey-cerifed Anderson Center facilitator, with over 30 years of domestic and international experience as a Human Resource Development and Organizational Effectiveness consultant.
Kevin Ennis presenting 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Foundations forum.
This forum provides an essential introduction to behaviors and skills required for success in the workplace. With a central focus on people, the forum emphasizes empathy, thoughtful listening, effective communication, and positive perspective. A theme reinforced throughout the day was that “people skills” remain an indispensable foundation for those entering the workforce.
Interns having the chance to meet and get to know a bit about each other.
Throughout the day, interns had the chance to mingle during table discussions, engage in “Human Bingo,” and enjoy the catered lunch from neighboring Jules’ Bistro.
The day concluded with a Q&A town hall with Granite Partners’ Founder & CEO, Rick Bauerly. Interns asked questions on a wide range of topics, such as favorite St. Cloud restaurants, strategies for introverts, and the traits of a good leader. The Granite Company interns left the day with questions answered, perspectives opened, and a few new peers added to their network. They also received some “Granite gear” (Granite Partners-branded merch) as another takeaway.
The Granite community values interns. Providing them training, support, and opportunities is essential to cultivating next-generation talent – a requisite for sustaining companies across generations.
Spotlight: Anderson Center
Anderson Center promotes individual, organizational, and economic growth by delivering engaging management and leadership development forums. The Center’s forums, which apply lessons from real-world case studies and world-renowned frameworks, bolster and grow leadership skills for everyone – from interns to executives.
Granite Partners hosts Anderson Center forums to grow leadership and excellence in and around the Granite community.
St. Cloud, MN. (July 9, 2026) – We are pleased to announce that Flex Interconnect Technologies will join All Flex Solutions, a Granite Company. The partnership closed on June 30, 2026. We welcome Chetan Shah and Dean Matsuo, co-founders of Flex Interconnect Technologies, and all company stakeholders into the All Flex and Granite communities. We invite you to watch the welcome video we shared during the Granite Stakeholder Meeting.
Founded in 1998, Flex Interconnect Technologies (FIT) is a trusted partner for engineers developing complex flexible and rigid-flex circuits. FIT specializes in quick-turn prototyping and short-run production, working closely with customers during early design phases to solve challenging technical problems and accelerate time to market. FIT is known for its engineering collaboration, responsiveness, and ability to support advanced applications across aerospace, defense, medical and space end markets. The company is based in Milpitas, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. See FIT4flex.com for a company profile.
This partnership represents a strategic step forward in All Flex’s mission to deliver a fully integrated, end-to-end flex and rigid-flex circuit platform serving mission-critical markets. This is an exciting milestone for both organizations, creating new opportunities for growth, innovation, and expanded customer impact. With this partnership, All Flex expands its capabilities upstream into rapid prototyping and early-stage design collaboration, creating a seamless pathway from concept through mid- and long-run production. With FIT, All Flex is better equipped to serve the evolving needs of mission-critical electronics customers.
Chetan commented, “Partnering with All Flex Solutions allows us to continue that mission while giving our customers a clear, trusted path from prototype through full-scale production.” Dean added, “This partnership preserves FIT’s culture and technical focus while expanding what we can offer our customers.”
Partnering with All Flex Solutions allows us to continue that mission while giving our customers a clear, trusted path from prototype through full-scale production.
— Chetan Shah, FIT Co-Founder
“This partnership brings together two highly complementary organizations with shared values around engineering excellence, quality, and customer partnership,” said John Fallon, CEO of All Flex Solutions. “Flex Interconnect Technologies strengthens our ability to engage customers earlier in the design cycle, accelerate innovation, and support programs from prototype through scaled production. Together, we are creating a differentiated U.S.-based flex circuit platform built for speed, reliability, and long-term growth.”
“All Flex and FIT exemplify the kind of businesses Granite Partners is proud to support — founder-led, customer-focused, and built on strong values,” said Rick Bauerly, Founder & CEO of Granite Partners. “This partnership reflects Granite’s long-term approach to building durable platforms by bringing together teams with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to excellence.”
St. Cloud, MN. (June 25, 2026) – We are pleased to announce that Bedford Reinforced Plastics has joined GEOTEK and Strongwell in a holding company majority-owned by Granite Partners. The partnership closed on May 15, 2026. We warmly welcome owner Brian Stahl, President & COO Glenn Smith, and all Bedford stakeholders into the Granite community.
Founded by Melvin Stahl in 1974, Bedford began by manufacturing products for the agricultural market. Today, the company offers pultruded composite solutions and fabricated structures with a focus on speed, flexibility, and service. They also go to market as OSCO Safety, a brand for preconfigured composite safety products such as platforms, guardrails, bridges, and stairs. A family-owned business for over 50 years, the company is based in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and has 200 team members and 200,000-square-feet of manufacturing space, including a state-of-the-art fabrication center. See BedfordReinforced.com for a company profile.
This strategic partnership with Bedford Reinforced Plastics follows the recent alignment of Strongwell and GEOTEK in March of 2026 as sister companies with common ownership in a holding company structure. The new holding company, STRONGTEK, reflects the strength and technical advantages of the companies’ products alongside a shared commitment to growth. Granite Partners is the long-term, majority owner of STRONGTEK.
We believe the partnership is highly synergistic, combining industry leading brands, world-class operating capabilities, and 1,500 talented team members together in one platform to capture market growth and significant economies of scale. GEOTEK is a leader in composite crossarms and poles for the utility market as well as composite trenches and light poles for the commercial and industrial market. Strongwell is a leader in composite structures and shapes for a series of infrastructure end markets. Bedford brings speed, flexibility, and capabilities that include fabrication as well as pultrusion.
We chose Granite Partners because we believe that Granite will serve our team members – and our customers, suppliers, and the Bedford community – better than any other ownership group I’ve met.
— Brian Stahl, President of Bedford Reinforced Plastics
In choosing Granite Partners, Brian Stahl extended trust by electing to retain ownership in the holding company and exchanging to become a Granite Member. He commented, “We chose Granite Partners because we believe that Granite will serve our team members – and our customers, suppliers, and the Bedford community – better than any other ownership group I’ve met. In addition to their commitment to care for all stakeholders, Granite brings the human and financial resources to help us grow and innovate.”
Glenn Smith added, “Our team is flexible and fast, and we share a commitment to high quality, engineered composite products. Together we can grow existing business and innovate new products.”
Rick Bauerly, Granite Partners Founder & CEO, said, “We are excited for Brian, Glenn, and the Bedford team to join forces with Strongwell and GEOTEK. Bedford is such a strong cultural and strategic fit. Working together in the combined STRONGTEK platform, we believe the companies will have opportunities to grow faster and create more value than they might on a stand-alone basis.”
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Member Cornerstone Award
We recognize the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) as a Granite Member, honoring our shared purpose centered on values, commitment to place, learning, and a long-term horizon.
Pictured (from left): Brian Bruess, President of CSB+SJU, and Shelly Bauerly Kopel, Partner. Shelly introduced Brian and presented him with the Member Cornerstone Award.
CSB was founded in 1913 by Benedictine sisters and SJU was founded in 1857 by Benedictine monks with a commitment to values that endure, including the dignity of work, respect for all persons, listening to each other, welcoming with hospitality, living in community, practicing moderation in all things, and being good stewards for resources entrusted to us and the place we live.
The Benedictine values are especially evident in the Benedictine Institute at CSB and SJU. Through teaching, programming, and community engagement, the Institute helps students, faculty, alumni and our broader community live out the Benedictine tradition – ensuring that these values remain vibrant and relevant from one generation to the next. Granite Partners, through Granite Charitable, has committed to supporting the Benedictine Institute and its mission for generations to come.
We often talk about common purpose flowing from the shared values named earlier – serving in similar roles as leaders, being deeply rooted in place, inspiring talent, and having a long-term view. At CSB and SJU, and through Brian’s leadership, we see that lived out in a clear and consistent way.
Leadership can sometimes feel consumed by short-term pressures and immediate challenges. Partnerships like this remind us to keep our eyes on the larger horizon – on building strong institutions, strong communities and lives grounded in purpose.
— Brian Bruess, President of College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Since becoming president in 2022, Brian has guided CSB and SJU with strategic clarity and collaborative leadership by strengthening academic programs, advancing long-term financial stewardship, and deepening engagement with alumni, partners, and the broader Minnesota community. His work reflects a belief not just in education, but in growth and development – shaping individuals who will contribute meaningfully to our organizations and our communities.
Brian’s leadership, and the partnership between Granite and CSB and SJU, reflects a shared commitment to invest in people, in place, and in the long-term wellbeing of all stakeholders.
Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics Executive Cornerstone Award
We thank Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics, celebrating the many ways her leadership style is building trust and advancing the Microbiologics and Granite brands.
Pictured (from left): Brad Goskowicz, Microbiologics Board Chair, and Kristen Knox, Microbiologics CEO. Brad introduced Kristen and presented her with the Executive Cornerstone Award.
Kristen joined Microbiologics as CEO in 2022, fully embracing the company’s mission to empower life sciences to advance a safer, healthier world. Since then, she has guided the company through significant market shifts, including the post-COVID transition, evolving technologies, and policy changes. And, in the midst of these changes, she has positioned the business for long-term, sustainable growth.
Under her leadership, Microbiologics has expanded its strategic capabilities and market reach. She led the SensID partnership, strengthening the company’s molecular standards portfolio, and advanced a forward-looking strategy to extend Microbiologics’ unique biomaterials expertise into high-growth areas such as oncology. Kristen also championed the expansion of virology capabilities to Select Agent accreditation – securing a sole-provider relationship with a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical company.
Equally important is Kristen’s commitment to culture. She has been a great leader in promoting wellbeing. She has also invested in leadership development and team engagement, driving strong team member and customer Net Promoter Scores, reducing turnover, and attracting top talent. Microbiologics’ recent recognition as a Star Tribune Top Workplace for the 11th time reflects this focus. She leads with an open authenticity that grows trust among and across teams, further strengthening an already high-performing, values-driven organization.
The impact of the Granite community is somewhat difficult to put into words, but this ecosystem is powerful for us business operators. It starts with the vision of world-class wellbeing, and the mission of growing companies and creating value is felt every day with the support of the Granite Partners team.
— Kristen Knox, CEO of Microbiologics
Her leadership extends beyond the company as well; she has taken on leadership roles in the Granite community and in broader business and community forums. During her tenure, Microbiologics has not only navigated complexity but the company has emerged stronger – delivering meaningful value to customers, team members, and stakeholders alike.
Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase Advisor Cornerstone Award
We recognize finance partners Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase for their essential role in helping finance the growth of the Granite Companies. Mike Mahoney, President & Managing Director at Bell Capital Finance, and Brent McVay, Executive Director & Relationship Manager at JPMorganChase, accepted the awards on behalf of their institutions.
It’s been an unreal relationship, one that’s very important to my group and to the bank in general. On behalf of myself and Bell Bank, this recognition is deeply appreciated.
— Mike Mahoney, President & Managing Director at Bell Capital Finance
Pictured (from left): Brent McVay of JPMorgan Chase; Art Monaghan, Operating Partner & Co-Founder; and Mike Mahoney of Bell Capital Finance. Art introduced Brent and Mike and presented them with the Advisor Cornerstone Award.
Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase have been trusted financial partners to the Granite Companies and Granite Partners, playing an essential role in supporting our growth and long-term success. Together, they bring a powerful combination of expertise, responsiveness, and shared commitment to our mission.
Bell Capital Finance, a division of Bell Bank, has been instrumental in providing senior cash flow lending solutions tailored to the needs of lower middle market businesses. Mike and his team understand the Granite Companies deeply, and they consistently deliver flexible, thoughtful financing that supports company growth and new partnership investments. Our partnership with them is grounded in accessibility, trust, and a long-term perspective.
JPMorganChase complements this work with global scale and capabilities that strengthen how we operate. Under Brent’s leadership, JPMorganChase has helped modernize our treasury and financial operations – facilitating efficient cash management, payment processing, international treasury capabilities, and cyber risk mitigation. Their implementation of One Card solutions has also streamlined purchasing and driven greater efficiency across the companies.
JP Morgan and Granite have mutual respect and shared values, which makes us true partners in every sense of the word.
— Brent McVay, Executive Director & Relationship Manager at JPMorganChase
Together, Bell Capital Finance and JPMorganChase represent a unique and highly effective partnership. They combine the strengths of a relationship-driven regional bank with the resources of one of the world’s leading financial institutions. This collaboration has enabled us to operate with both agility and sophistication as we continue to grow.
Cornerstone Award
The cornerstone is one of the first stones laid in a foundation, orienting and supporting the rest of the structure. The Cornerstone Award recognizes those who have made foundational contributions to the Granite mission. Our sincerest thanks to these and all Cornerstone Award recipients.
St. Cloud, MN. (April 22, 2026) – We are pleased to announce that Leggero LLC has joined AltimateMedical, a Granite Company. The partnership closed on April 15, 2026. We welcome Lorenzo Romero, Founder and President of Leggero, and all Leggero stakeholders into the Altimate and Granite communities.
Leggero creates mobility solutions that enhance everyday movement and positioning for individuals with physical challenges. Originally rooted in pediatric innovation, the company’s product line continues evolving to support users across all stages in life. With lightweight construction, adaptable seating, and a transport-friendly design, each product is built to simplify daily life and support independence. Leggero empowers users to remain active, engaged, and comfortable. The company is based in Burnet, Texas. See Leggero.us for a company profile.
In joining AltimateMedical, the Romero family chose to retain ownership in the combined company. They remain fully engaged in the business, and they look forward to the continued growth, product investment, and expansion enabled by the strategic partnership.
We believe the partnership combines the strengths of both companies, significantly expanding their collective mobility product offerings and creating opportunities to enhance product innovation and reach a broader market. By joining forces, Altimate and Leggero can provide comprehensive solutions, enhancing value for customers and partners in the complex rehabilitation and healthcare markets.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to our customers, our team members, and the long-term future of the business, and I’m excited to remain deeply invested in what we build together.
— Lorenzo Romero, Founder and President of Leggero
Lorenzo reflected, “From the beginning, I believed Altimate and Granite were the right long-term home for Leggero. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to our customers, our team members, and the long-term future of the business, and I’m excited to remain deeply invested in what we build together. This partnership helps us fully realize the vision we had set for Leggero, and we look forward to this next phase of growth together with AltimateMedical and Granite Partners.”
“Leggero expands Altimate’s ability to serve customers with thoughtfully designed mobility solutions that improve everyday life. Together, we can extend commercial reach, deepen product development capabilities, and continue advancing innovation for the individuals and caregivers we serve,” said Ryan Williams, CEO of AltimateMedical. “We warmly welcome Lorenzo and the Leggero stakeholders into Altimate and look forward to our shared future of innovation, collaboration, and improving more lives globally.”
Pat Edeburn, Granite Partners co-founder and Operating Partner, said, “What makes this partnership especially meaningful is the level of long-term alignment behind it. Lorenzo chose not only to partner with Altimate, but to continue forward with Granite as part of our broader community. That kind of commitment speaks volumes about the shared values, trust, and long-term mindset behind this.”
Granite Partners was awarded a 2026 Hall of Fame Award at Domo’s annual user conference, Domopalooza! We were recognized with the Most Powerful Business Impact award for enabling the Granite Companies in their use of Domo’s data, business, and artificial intelligence tools to support growth.*
Pictured (from left): Mohammed Aaser, Chief Strategy Officer at Domo, and Rick Bauerly, Founder & CEO of Granite Partners, on the Main Stage.
Rick Bauerly joined Mohammed Aaser, Chief Strategy Officer at Domo, for a fireside chat on the Main Stage. He shared Granite Partners’ origin story, the Granite Companies’ digital journey, and lessons learned. There were over 1,500+ attendees at the annual conference.
Thomas Hodgdon, Granite Partners’ Strategy & Analytics Director, led a breakout session on strategies for digital engagement and impact. With more than 30 digital leaders from across the Granite Companies in attendance at Domopalooza, the team left with more inspiration, training, and tools to accelerate AI impact in the year ahead.
We thank additional colleagues at Domo for their collaborations, including Ben Schein, Chris Willis, Cody Irwin, Jason Longhurst, Jeff Humble, Lacy Zimmerman, Manya D., Mark Boothe, and Tod Crane. We thank our implementation partners at OneMagnify, including Catherine Hayes, Giacomo Genovese, Jenn Burns, Mark Petroff, Neil Rae, and Stephen Farr.
Pictured (center): Rick Bauerly with Domo representatives at Domopalooza.
*Domo recognized 16 customers with awards at their annual event March 24-27, 2026. No fee was paid for the award. Award criteria are not based upon reviews by members or investment performance.
St. Cloud, MN. (September 5, 2025) – We are pleased to announce that Eric’sons, Inc. has joined GEOTEK, a Granite Company. The partnership closed on September 3, 2025. We welcome co-owners Robert Finn, Anthony Finn, and David Potter and all Eric’sons stakeholders into the GEOTEK and Granite communities.
Founded in 1998, Eric’sons manufactures Dura Trench™ products, primarily trenches and trench drains, for application across a broad set of end markets, including industrial processing, building infrastructure, and outdoor settings. The product is light, easy-to-install, high load-bearing and non-corrosive, differentiating it from traditional precast concrete trenches. The company employs about 250 team members and operates three manufacturing facilities in Ogden, Utah; Dallas, Georgia; and Chester, Virginia. See Duratrench.com for a company profile.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in GEOTEK’s mission to enhance the world’s infrastructure with composite products. Eric’sons adds spray up composite manufacturing capabilities, a new high growth product, and a diversified customer base. With GEOTEK’s expertise in selling composite products, its strong distribution network in the utility channel, and its proven ability to launch new products, we view the combination as highly synergistic and likely to fuel the growth of both existing and new products.
Robert Finn, President and Co-Founder of Eric’sons, commented, “We are excited about a new chapter of growth as we partner with GEOTEK. We share a vision of excellence in engineering, innovation, customer service, and how we treat people. Together we can accelerate our product and market leadership.”
We are excited about a new chapter of growth as we partner with GEOTEK. We share a vision of excellence in engineering, innovation, customer service, and how we treat people. Together, we can accelerate our product and market leadership.
– Robert Finn, Eric’sons President and Co-Founder
“We welcome Eric’sons to GEOTEK, and we are excited to add Dura Trench™ to our growing family of composite brands,” said Ben Wiltsie, CEO of GEOTEK. “We share a commitment to high quality, engineered composite products. Together we can grow existing business and innovate impactful new products. We are excited to collaborate with the founders and the team, and we are grateful they trust us for this next chapter of growth.”
Meg Hickey McGuire, Granite Partners Investment Director, said, “The Eric’sons partnership marks GEOTEK’s second add-on investment since Granite invested in GEOTEK in 2009. We were delighted to support this process, investment, and partnership, and we are excited to welcome all stakeholders into the Granite community.”
St. Cloud, MN. (April 7, 2025) – We are pleased to announce that Therafin Corporation has joined AltimateMedical, a Granite Company. The partnership closed on March 31, 2025. We welcome President Todd Fink, a member of the company’s founding family, and all Therafin stakeholders into the Altimate and Granite communities.
Founded in 1968 by Gilbert “Gibb” Fink, Therafin is a designer and manufacturer of innovative adaptive and rehabilitative medical equipment, including positioning accessories, seating systems, foot supports, headrests, and lap trays. Known for attention to detail and customer responsiveness, Therafin makes products that support individuals with mobility and daily living challenges. Based in Frankfort, Illinois, Therafin employs 33 team members. See Therafin.com for a company profile.
Therafin’s products are a strong complement to AltimateMedical’s shower/commode chairs, sit-to-stand devices, and imaging tables. Beyond strengthening the company’s product offerings, the strategic partnership can enhance innovation and manufacturing capabilities, provide economies of scale, and reach a broader market. Together, Altimate and Therafin can create value for customers and partners in the complex rehabilitation and healthcare markets.
Todd Fink, President of Therafin commented, “We’re excited to partner with AltimateMedical as we work to offer the best customer support in the business and take our product development to the next level. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to our customers, our team, and the values my father built this company on. We’re proud to continue our legacy of private ownership and look forward to this next phase of growth – together.”
“Altimate and Therafin share a deep commitment to improve lives with thoughtfully designed medical technology and to enhance stakeholder wellbeing over the long term,” said Ryan Williams, CEO of AltimateMedical. “We warmly welcome Therafin team members, suppliers, and customers into the Altimate family and look forward to our shared future of innovation and collaboration.”
Pat Edeburn, Granite Partners co-founder and Operating Partner, said, “The Therafin partnership marks Altimate’s third add-on acquisition since Granite invested in AltimateMedical in 2014. This combination underscores Altimate’s commitment to enhancing our durable medical equipment offerings by adding Therafin’s specialized accessories and unique sewing and cushion capabilities to improve our market offerings and supply chain.”
St. Cloud, MN. (March 21, 2025) – We are pleased to announce that ADCO has joined Massman Companies. The partnership was announced on March 20, 2025. We welcome founding family members Kate King, Colleen Anderson, and Maureen Say, and all ADCO stakeholders into the Massman and Granite communities.
Founded by John and Babe Tanney, both originally from Minnesota, ADCO is a marquee manufacturer of end-of-line packaging machinery and systems with one of the broadest lines of cartoners, sleevers, and tray formers on the market. Viewing customers as partners, ADCO creates solutions that solve customer problems, and the Tanney family business has long reflected values of generosity and partnership. Based in Sanger, California, ADCO has been serving customers for 67 years and currently employs 159 team members. See ADCOmfg.com for a company profile.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in Massman’s strategy to deliver automation from carton to pallet. ADCO adds cartoning to Massman’s impressive product line in primary and secondary packaging. Together with all Massman Companies brands, Massman now has one of the broadest product lines in the industry. Massman Companies will bring together sales, customer service, and engineering teams to seamlessly serve the customers of both organizations.
With its evergreen structure and focus on sustainability, long-term ownership by Granite Partners is the best fit for our family’s legacy.
— Kate King, CEO of ADCO
Kate King, CEO of ADCO reflected, “We share common values with Massman of caring for team members, solving problems for our customers, and supporting our local communities. My promise to my mom was to ensure ADCO’s future and to keep our high-quality jobs in Sanger. With its evergreen structure and focus on sustainability, long-term ownership by Granite Partners is the best fit for our family’s legacy.”
“ADCO’s expertise in horizontal cartoners is a natural fit with our portfolio, filling a gap in our connected line and strengthening our packaging solution,” said Jeff Hohn, President & CEO of Massman Companies. “And, like Massman, ADCO strives to provide the best running machine in the factory. We are excited to welcome all ADCO stakeholders to the Massman Companies and the broader Granite community.”
Carrie Willis, Chief Operating Officer at Granite Partners, commented, “The strategic ADCO partnership marks the sixth add-on acquisition in this consolidating industry since Granite first invested in Massman in 2016. Together with Granite, the Massman Companies have more growth resources available as we all strive to create value for stakeholders.”
The partnership with ADCO adds cartoning to Massman’s expanding product line in primary and secondary packaging. Massman now offers the major equipment: bottle handling, filling, capping, cartoning, shrink wrap, case packaging, and palletizing. Massman’s objective is to connect its technologies, providing a broader customer solution. ADCO offers the critical primary packaging of cartoning, sleeving, and tray formers that typically lead a customer’s packaging decision.
