Jump to the top of the page
James Stephens

James Stephens

Director, Industrial Growth Products

Chicago skyline

About James

James Stephens is a director for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He joined William Blair’s investment banking team in 2018. Prior to William Blair, he worked for Robert W. Baird.

Notable Transactions

  • $410,000,000

    a portfolio company of GreyLion Partners

    has been acquired by

    May 2024

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to MTL Holdings, a portfolio company of GreyLion Partners, in connection with its pending sale to Carlisle Companies, Inc (NYSE: CSL).

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of ShoreView Industries

    has been acquired by

    April 2024

  • $350,000,000

    a portfolio company of
    Center Rock Capital Partners

    has been acquired by

    February 2024

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Signature Systems (Signature), a portfolio company of Center Rock Capital Partners, in connection with its pending sale to Myers Industries (NYSE: MYE).

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of Curran Group

    has been acquired by

    a portfolio company of Paceline Equity Partners

    October 2023

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of AEA Investors

    has been acquired by

    March 2022

    William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Pexco, a portfolio company of AEA Investors, in connection with its sale to Odyssey Investment Partners.

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    has been acquired by

    December 2021

  • $480,000,000

    a portfolio company of Platinum Equity

    has been acquired by

    December 2021

    William Blair acted as financial advisor to Orbit Irrigation, a portfolio company of Platinum Equity, in connection with its pending sale to Husqvarna Group (OM: HUSQ B) for approximately $480 million.

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of Grey Mountain Partners

    has been acquired by

    September 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    has acquired

    August 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of Gilde Buy Out Partners

    has been acquired by

    May 2021

  • $879,462,500

    Initial Public Offering

    June 2020

  • Not Disclosed

    has been acquired by

    July 2019

  • Rigorous pursuit of your success. Every transaction. Every time.

    Our investment bankers are 100 percent committed to your organization’s sustained success. By drawing on our deep industry and product experience as well as our dedicated global resources, we provide advisory and financing services that allow you to capitalize on today’s opportunities and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

    More about investment banking at William Blair
    Aerial view of highway interchange at night

    Industrial Growth Products

    High-growth companies, market leaders, and tech-enabled businesses across the industrial landscape count on our knowledge of sector trends and our relationships with leading strategic acquirers and financial sponsors to assist across a range of advisory and financial alternatives. We bring deep expertise into the global trends redefining industrial activity, such as connected buildings and machines (IoT), the development of innovative specialty materials, and production technologies and regulatory changes.

    More about our industrial growth products expertise
    Robotic arm

    About William Blair

    William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

    • 1935

      Year William Blair was founded

    • 1,900+

      Employees worldwide

    • 149 billion+

      Client assets

    • 89 Years

      Independent and employee-owned

    • 20+

      Offices worldwide

    • ~650

      Companies under coverage

    As of September 30, 2024
    *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

    More about William Blair affiliated entities

    This content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investment advice and recommendations can be provided only after careful consideration of an investor's objectives, guidelines, and restrictions.

    Copyright © 2024 William Blair & Company, L.L.C. | Privacy Terms

    Are you sure you want to leave?

    Information contained on the internet is not subject to William Blair & Company's control or review, and may not be accurate.

    For disclosure information, please visit www.williamblair.com/disclosures