Founded in 1994 by Michael Fisch, American Securities is a leading middle-market U.S. private equity firm guided by a commitment to long-term, strategic partnerships built on trust and driven by core values. The firm’s mission is to generate superior returns by investing in great businesses and partnering with management teams to improve, grow, and create long-term value.
With more than 30 years of experience, American Securities takes a partnership-focused approach that prioritizes people and relationships. By supporting established leadership teams with strategic resources and operational expertise, the firm works to strengthen businesses and create enduring value across essential sectors of the economy.
American Securities’ Investment Philosophy: Building Strong Businesses Through Partnership
American Securities’ investment philosophy emphasizes partnering with strong management teams and supporting businesses for long-term growth. More than 80% of the CEOs in place at the time of American Securities’ investment have remained with the business through the firm’s ownership, reflecting this approach and its commitment to investing in good people, building strong partnerships, and creating resilient businesses over time.
As Founder and CEO of the firm, Michael emphasizes in an interview with Barry Ritholtz on the Masters in Business podcast that the private equity industry is a people business. From business managers and investors to lenders and bankers, the business ecosystem relies on relationships. This perspective informs American Securities’ partnership-focused approach to working with companies and their management teams.
Rather than approaching investments with the expectation of replacing leadership, American Securities focuses on working with existing management teams that align with the firm’s values. Michael notes that appointing a new CEO can introduce additional risk when there is an opportunity to collaborate and achieve strong results with an established leadership team. More than 40% of American Securities’ investments have been in family- and founder-owned and/or operated businesses, further reflecting the firm’s emphasis on long-term relationships and continuity.
How the American Securities Resources Group Supports Business Growth
A key component of its collaborative partnership model is the American Securities Resources Group. Established in 2002, it is one of the largest in-house value-creation teams in middle-market private equity, bringing together investors and functional experts to support company performance and growth.
The Resources Group comprises full-time operating professionals with expertise in purchasing, procurement, strategy, IT, human resources, and more. This equips the firm’s portfolio companies with tangible operational support, reinforces collaborative efforts to build sustainable growth plans, and gives management teams the flexibility to access resources in ways that align with their business objectives.
Achieving Transformative Results in Essential Industries
By combining its investment philosophy with the resources and expertise of the Resources Group, American Securities supports middle-market companies across essential sectors to pursue growth and long-term value creation. These industries include building products, industrial products & services, government services, IT services, power & energy, and specialty materials.
Under Michael’s leadership, American Securities continues to emphasize the importance of people, partnership, and operational support in building stronger businesses. Through collaboration with management teams and a long-term approach to value creation, the firm seeks to help its partner companies pursue sustainable growth while contributing to the broader economy.