Lignetics

In 1983, a group of founders in Idaho started Lignetics, a company with a simple but powerful idea: turning wood waste into eco-friendly consumer products like heating pellets. They were pioneers in a niche that would grow significantly over the next few decades, establishing a business that would later expand into BBQ pellets, animal bedding, and fire logs. The company’s trajectory took a decisive turn in March 2014 when it was acquired by Taglich Private Equity. This acquisition wasn't an exit, but an injection of capital and strategic support to fuel an aggressive growth strategy. The playbook became clear: expansion through acquisition. Over the next several years, Lignetics executed a series of strategic roll-ups, acquiring competitors like Bear Mountain Forest Products, Geneva Wood Fuels, and the Marth Companies. This transformed Lignetics from a regional player into the largest residential wood pellet manufacturer in the U.S. By 2021, Lignetics had become a dominant force, operating numerous manufacturing plants across the U.S. and Canada. This scale and market leadership attracted new investors. In November 2021, EagleTree Capital acquired Lignetics from Taglich, marking the next chapter in its growth story. The existing management team, led by CEO Brett Jordan, remained in place to continue driving the company's expansion, a testament to the successful platform they had built. Today, Lignetics stands as a case study in consolidating a fragmented industry through strategic acquisitions.