High Bar sold to Sentinel Capital

There’s big news about successes enjoyed by Minimizer, a company that is part of Blooming Prairie-based High Bar Brands (HBB).

Caleb Ostrander, High Bar Brands spokesperson, said the parent company has been acquired by Sentinel Capital Partners. This move is part of a plan to grow Minimizer, the company started in Blooming Prairie by Dick Kruckeberg and grown by son Craig Kruckeberg, who sold the business in 2018.

According to the company, Sentinel Capital Partners is one of the nation's leading private equity firms focused on the lower midmarket. A spokesperson said Sentinel invests in management buyouts, corporate divestitures, acquisitions of family businesses, going-private transactions, and operational turnarounds in partnership with management in the United States and Canada.

Sentinel seeks to invest in businesses with attractive prospects and high-quality management teams.

Ostrander said that in 2023, Minimizer saw a major fleet investment in Fast Flaps, mud flap hangers designed for every company on the road.

“We expanded our floor mats line to include sleeper mats and also released new kits for Peterbilt's medium-duty line.,” he said. “And we continue offering a lifetime guarantee for our fenders, floor mats, and tool boxes ... products whose durability ensures they'll outlast the truck.”

“We're excited about the future,” Ostrander added.

High Bar Brands was born from the partnership between two solution-based brands – Minimizer and Premier Manufacturing. Following the acquisition of Viking Sales, the three suppliers have provided HBB with a connection with drivers, fleet owners, and maintenance managers across North America that has been crucial to research and development.

“We pride ourselves on delivering our message of quality and service throughout our distribution network all the way to the end-user,” said Steve Hansen, vice president of marketing and communication.

“Employees are afforded best-in-class operations equipment, creating a powerful production facility and efficient office environment,” he added. “High Bar Brands is proud to be a member of the toughest industry. Driven by customer needs, their success is what drives our business.”