Building Long-Term Partnerships and Results
Our Mission
Thirty-5 Capital is a private equity firm with the mission of helping early stage and family businesses grow through the strategic infusion of capital and hands-on leadership. Thirty-5 Capital holds a robust portfolio ranging from sports innovation and technology to real estate. The Thirty-5 Capital team has a long history of working together to drive culture and accelerate the growth of business through strategic leadership, innovation, data analytics, and creative thinking. Our fundamental belief in employee engagement and growth leads to an empowered workforce achieving long-term partnerships and lasting results.
Our Beginning
For over 60 years, Ron Saslow and his father Dick Saslow owned and lead Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company (Dick for the first 30 years and Ron for the subsequent 30 years). During that time, they led the growth of Hu-Friedy from an 11-person boutique operation to one earning over $220,000,000 in annual sales in more than 70 countries, while building a world-class team of more than 1,000 employees.
In his 20 years as CEO, one of Ron’s specialties was identifying early-stage companies with strong potential, which he and his team would acquire and use their knowledge and expertise to develop them into stronger global brands.
In 2019, Ron and his family made the decision to accept an outstanding offer to sell Hu-Friedy to Cantel Medical (NYSE: CMD), one of the largest medical equipment manufacturers in the world.
After the transition, Ron’s next challenge was to pursue a career that allowed him to combine his love of leading and growing businesses with his love of sports and music. In 2019 Ron founded Thirty-5 Capital with the goal of investing in early-stage, often family owned businesses within these verticals.
Ron’s goal was to create a unique PE firm - one that invested in people and firms for the long run - not the typical 3-5 year horizon. Ron’s vision is to provide “Smart Capital” through investments and hands-on leadership, utilizing the experience he and his team gained over his 30 years leading Hu-Friedy.
Why 35?
The number 35 symbolizes passion, consistency and excellence. Dating back to his high school football days, the 35 on Ron’s jerseys and around his neck have become a staple on the mound, in the backfield or in just about any sport you can imagine. His continued success in high-level athletics is a product of the same three values that have led him to have success in business – unmatched passion, impeccable consistency and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When founding his Private Equity company, he chose to use the number 35 as an everlasting reminder of the importance of striving to embody these three values in everything we do.
Thirty-5 Capital has grown rapidly and today has a robust portfolio led by a team of professionals with diverse expertise and knowledge helping accelerate our businesses. We are proud of our partnerships and investments in the current portfolio and are continuously exploring new partnerships to expand the Thirty-5 Capital family.