12075 N. Corporate Parkway, Suite 120 | Mequon, WI 53092
[email protected]

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Deal Room
Deal Room

Akey Manufacturing

Our team advised Akey Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Van Hise Companies, on securing financing from EntreBank to support its next phase of growth.

Akey Manufacturing a portfolio company of Van Hise Companies has secured financing from EntreBank

Transaction Details

Debt-Placement Advisor

Year: 2026

Client: Akey Manufacturing

Hedquarters: Footville, WI

Industry: Industrials & Manufacturing

Website: www.akeymfg.com

Overview

Akey Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Van Hise Companies and a long-standing custom metal fabricator serving industrial OEMs, has secured financing from EntreBank to support its next phase of growth.

About Akey Manufacturing

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Footville, WI, Akey Manufacturing is an established custom metal fabricator with nearly 60 years of operating history producing metal parts and complete assemblies for industrial OEMs. Akey’s capabilities include shearing, punching, press braking, robotic welding, and CNC machining, along with a range of additional in-house fabrication services. The Company serves customers across transportation, agriculture, and other industrial end markets.

About Van Hise Companies

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Footville, WI, Van Hise Companies is a long-term holding company focused on acquiring and operating legacy manufacturing businesses. Van Hise emphasizes preserving the brand, people, and community of the businesses it acquires while driving operational improvement and long-term growth, with a current portfolio that includes Akey Manufacturing and Prairie Rivet.

About EntreBank

Headquartered in Bloomington, MN, EntreBank is a commercial bank serving entrepreneurs and small to lower middle market businesses with business lending, treasury management, SBA loans, tax credit lending, and other banking services. Chartered in 2022 as the first de novo bank formed in Minnesota in 14 years, EntreBank is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender with a team that brings over 200 years of combined SBA lending experience.

Deal Team

Vantage Investment Banking
Mike Burmesch

Mike Burmesch

Partner
Eli Buczek

Eli Buczek

Senior Analyst

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Built On Trust. Defined By Results.

We specialize in investment banking for privately held businesses, offering expert guidance and fresh perspectives. Contact us to learn more and explore your options.

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12075 N. Corporate Parkway, Suite 120 
Mequon, WI 53092
Get In Touch
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Mike Burmesch

Partner & Co-Founder

262-483-6014

[email protected]

Biography

With over a decade of middle market investment banking experience, Mike brings extensive transactional and advisory expertise to the team. He has advised on more than 40 M&A, Debt Placement, and Capital Raising transactions spanning the industrials & manufacturing, business services, technology & IT services, consumer products, and food & beverage industries.

In his role, Mike provides senior-level leadership across all aspects of transaction strategy and execution. He is actively involved in shaping go-to-market strategies, advising clients on valuation and deal structure, and leading negotiations with buyers, investors, and other counterparties. Mike oversees the development of marketing materials, manages buyer and lender engagement strategies, and guides clients through complex diligence and closing processes. His breadth of experience and strategic perspective allow him to provide clear, thoughtful advice to business owners and management teams, helping them navigate significant financial and strategic events with confidence.

Prior to entering investment banking, Mike worked as a Senior Accountant with Baker Tilly. Mike holds a BBA in accounting from St. Norbert College and is a licensed CPA.

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Eli Buczek

Senior Analyst

[email protected]

414-828-6780

Biography

As an Analyst, Eli plays a key role in supporting the senior team throughout all stages of client engagements. His responsibilities include conducting in-depth financial analysis, developing valuation models, preparing presentation materials, and assisting in the coordination of due diligence efforts. Eli works hand-in-hand with senior members of the team to help manage transaction workstreams, maintain communication with counterparties, and ensure that key deliverables are executed accurately and on schedule.

Eli earned a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse concentrating his education around corporate finance.

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