Philosophy | Peterson Brothers Inc.

How We Think
How We Operate

A philosophy rooted in character, discipline and enduring value

Our Investment Philosophy

At Peterson Brothers Inc., our investment philosophy is built on a simple but rare idea: businesses should be built to last. For over 30 years, we’ve followed a long-term, platform-first approach that favors operational excellence over financial engineering.

We partner with high-character teams to strengthen fundamentals, scale wisely and lead with integrity. We’re not in the business of flipping companies – we grow them, support them and help them thrive through good times and bad.

What We Look For in a Business

When evaluating a new investment, we don’t just assess spreadsheets we look at people, principles and potential. Our criteria include:

Strong Leadership with integrity and curiosity

Cultural Fit with our values and work ethic

Defensible Position in an industry or niche

Growth Potential either as a platform or bolt-on

Operational readiness and process improvement

Long-Term Commitment from both sides

We believe a good business becomes great when the right people are empowered by the right systems and values.

Our Principles for Growing Value

These are the foundational beliefs that guide our work every day:

Character Is Destiny

We work only with people who value honesty, humility, and hard work

No Surprises

We lead with transparency and expect the same from our partners

Discipline Over Drama

Great companies run on process, not personality or popularity

Real Work, Real Wins

We measure success by customer impact, employee satisfaction and solid financials

Progress Over Perfection

We value iteration, action and progress over endless theorizing

These principles hang on the walls of our businesses and show up in every decision we make.

Our Approach to Leadership & Management

We don’t believe in micromanagement – but we do believe in involvement. Each of our companies is supported by a Steering Committee, composed of key leaders from the business and the holding company. This group meets monthly to:

Review financials in depth

Address threats or red flags transparently

Scrutinize sales, production, and customer data

Approve motions involving new spending

Track progress and resolve friction

This model keeps companies aligned, focused and continually improving – with full ownership from leadership teams.

Partnership Ethos

We view every acquisition as a partnership, not a takeover. Our role is to support, not replace. That means:

We retain existing leadership whenever possible

We build trust before making changes

We invest in people and process - not just performance

We stay involved without overpowering

We succeed only when our partners succeed and stay true to their mission in the process.

Sustainability & Ethical Investing

We believe great businesses take care of their people, their communities and their future. Across our portfolio, we strive to:

Support employee well-being and career growth

Encourage local hiring and fair compensation

Operate with integrity and compliance

Avoid industries or practices that contradict our core values

Let’s Build Businesses That Matter

We’d love to talk if you’re an operator, founder or executive who believes in character, long-term thinking and operational excellence.

Contact Us