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

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Deal Room
Deal Room

Cotta Transmission Company

Our team advised Cotta Transmission on its sale to Salt Creek Capital, supporting the Company’s next phase of growth.

Cotta Transmission Company

Transaction Details

Sell-Side Advisor

Year: 2022

Hedquarters: Beloit, WI

Client: Cotta Transmission Company

Industry: Industrials & Manufacturing

Website: www.cotta.com

Overview

Completed by the Vantage Investment Banking team under a prior firm, Cotta Transmission, a manufacturer of tight tolerance gearboxes and transmissions, has been acquired by an affiliate Salt Creek Capital.

About Cotta Transmission

Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, Cotta Transmission designs and manufactures highly durable, tight tolerance gearboxes and transmissions required by niche industry segments including aerospace, heavy duty vehicle, mining, oil field service, water treatment, and other specialty markets. The Company’s legacy spans more than 100 years, supporting an industry respected reputation for providing highly engineered products backed by world class service.

About the Salt Creek Capital

Salt Creek Capital is a San Francisco Bay Area–based private investment firm founded in 2009 that partners with experienced operating executives to acquire and grow profitable lower middle-market companies. The firm focuses on ownership transitions, control buyouts, and recapitalizations across industries such as manufacturing, distribution, business and consumer services, food & beverage, and franchising, typically investing in businesses with established cash flow and growth potential. 

Deal Team

Vantage Investment Banking
Mike Burmesch

Mike Burmesch

Partner
Alex Penkwitz

Alex Penkwitz

Vice President

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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.

Address
12075 N. Corporate Parkway, Suite 120 
Mequon, WI 53092
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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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Alex Penkwitz

Vice President & Co-Founder

262-339-8772

[email protected]

Biography

Working in the middle market investment banking industry since 2020, Alex is responsible for leading the day-to-day execution of M&A transactions for the Vantage Investment Banking team. His responsibilities span all phases of the transaction process, including financial modeling and valuation analysis, preparation of marketing materials, buyer and investor outreach, and coordination of due diligence activities. He plays a central role in managing timelines, facilitating communication between clients and counterparties, and supporting negotiations to ensure smooth execution.

Alex has advised on more than 25 M&A, Debt Placement, and Capital Raising transactions across multiple industries, including industrials & manufacturing, business services, technology & IT services, consumer products, and food & beverage. His experience working with both privately held businesses and institutional investors gives him a well-rounded perspective on the strategic, operational, and financial considerations that drive successful outcomes.

Alex holds a BBA in finance from Marquette University, centering his education around investments and participating in the Accelerating Ingenuity in Markets (AIM) Program. 

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