Our difference is
that we endure.

Our difference is
that we endure.

Our difference is
that we endure.

Values, capital, and partnerships.

While our team and capabilities have grown significantly over the years, we are unwavering in our commitment to the very same principles and standards on which Witt Stephens, Sr. founded W.R. Stephens Investment Company in 1933. Ingrained in the Stephens family’s business approach for 90 years is a time-proven, dependable approach that enhances returns built upon a solid foundation. It is a set of deeply embedded principles that ladder up to making trusted relationships the cornerstone of all words and actions.

Culture

Our strong company culture is based on these three pillars:

Aligned Values

FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND RESPECT

We align values, partnering with people and companies who share our vision to build strong teams, authentic relationships, and valuable businesses. We expect and share fairness, transparency, respect, and economic objectives with our partners.

Committed Capital

EXPERIENCE, FOCUS, DISCIPLINE, AND FLEXIBILITY

Our stable, enduring source of capital enables us to fully align with the long-term objectives of our management partners and have the freedom, flexibility and framework to make the best decisions for the companies in which we invest. We have the value creation capabilities, investment focus and appetite of a large middle-market private equity firm but without outside investors. When business objectives or industry developments require us to pivot, we can. When market conditions send others scrambling, we are able to remain committed and true to our formula of success.

Authentic Partnerships

BUILT ON SHARED VALUES AND A COMMON PURPOSE

Over the 90 years we have been investing, we have built on shared values and a common purpose. Industry trends and business models have changed markedly, but our reputation as authentic partners has not. Approaching each relationship as equals, we put our own capital on the line, sharing risk and reward. When our partners win, we all win. It’s that simple.

Case Studies

CoreLink

CoreLink

CoreLink is a leading, vertically integrated provider of spinal implant and instrumentation systems. For over two decades, CoreLink solidified itself as a leading provider of novel devices and instrumentation for spinal surgery. More recently, it established a differentiated product portfolio supporting lateral spine procedures. Jay Bartling founded the business and saw the opportunity to bring in a partner who would add value to the business and accelerate growth. Stephens Group was the first institutional capital and successfully exited our control position to a strategic buyer after a competitive process while maintaining a minority ownership of the combined business.
Vestcom

Vestcom

Vestcom International Inc., is the leading provider of data-driven, shelf-edge marketing solutions to major retailers and brand manufacturers in the grocery, drug, and mass merchandising industries. Stephens Group completed a recapitalization to position the company for the next stage of its growth and enable it to continue to expand its capabilities for its customers and enhance its service offerings in technology-driven in-store marketing communications. Stephens Group successfully exited our control position to a financial buyer after a competitive process and maintains an ongoing relationship with John Lawlor, the former Chairman and CEO of Vestcom, who serves our firm as a Senior Advisor.
Summit

Summit

Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. In 2011, The Stephens Group completed a majority recapitalization of the business and successfully exited our control position to Comfort Systems USA in 2024.