Vintage Stone Taps PE Veteran to Spearhead Industrial Modernization

NEW YORK, NY – December 29, 2025 – Private investment firm Vintage Stone Capital has announced the appointment of Scott Cielinski as its new Head of Transaction Execution, a strategic move that signals an intensification of its mission to acquire and technologically transform America's legacy industrial businesses.

The hiring of Cielinski, a seasoned executive with a decade of experience across investment banking and operationally-focused private equity, is designed to bolster the firm’s capacity to execute its highly specialized investment thesis. Vintage Stone Capital targets complex industrial service and light manufacturing companies, typically in the $25 million to $100 million enterprise value range, that are prime candidates for modernization but are often overlooked by traditional financial buyers.

A Strategic Architect for Industrial Revival

Scott Cielinski will take the helm of Vintage Stone’s investment committee and diligence operations, bringing what the firm describes as “institutional rigor” to its process. His background is a unique blend of high-finance and hands-on operational oversight, honed at firms like Sun Capital, Incline Equity, and Baird. Having worked on over 50 transactions, Cielinski has deep expertise in the industrial, logistics, and business services sectors—the very heartland of Vintage Stone’s focus.

This appointment is more than a simple personnel change; it represents the addition of a critical architect to the firm’s ambitious construction project. Vintage Stone is betting that the future of American industry lies not in financial leverage, but in digital and operational upgrades. According to Ziad Danasouri, the firm's Managing Partner and Founder, Cielinski’s background provides the “institutional rigor to execute on this thesis with precision.”

The role requires a leader who can navigate the complexities of both Wall Street deal-making and the practical realities of a factory floor. Cielinski's experience is expected to streamline the firm's ability to identify, acquire, and begin the transformation process for its portfolio companies, bridging the gap between capital injection and tangible operational improvement.

Beyond Financial Engineering: A New Blueprint for Value

Vintage Stone Capital operates on a philosophy that explicitly rejects the private equity industry’s traditional playbook. “The next generation of industrial alpha will not be generated by financial engineering, but by the technological modernization of America’s manufacturing base,” Danasouri stated, articulating a vision that prioritizes long-term growth over short-term gains.

This ethos is embedded in the firm’s unique approach to due diligence, which Cielinski will now lead. Described as “operationally empathetic,” the process aims to understand the nuances of a target company’s existing operations and culture before prescribing a modernization plan. This contrasts sharply with the often-disruptive nature of conventional private equity takeovers. The firm emphasizes its commitment to preserving a company’s legacy and retaining key employees, viewing them as essential partners in the transformation.

Unlike typical funds with rigid exit timelines, Vintage Stone positions itself as a long-term partner. This patient capital approach allows for the implementation of comprehensive technological upgrades—such as new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, predictive analytics, and AI-driven automation—that require time to yield results. By focusing on building sustainable value rather than preparing for a quick sale, the firm aims to create more resilient and competitive industrial enterprises.

Tapping into a Sector Primed for Transformation

Vintage Stone’s strategy is unfolding against the backdrop of a massive shift in the U.S. industrial landscape. The sector is in the midst of a digital transformation imperative, with the market for digital manufacturing solutions projected to reach nearly $850 billion by 2030. Technologies like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and artificial intelligence are no longer theoretical concepts but essential tools for survival and growth.

However, a significant gap exists between aspiration and reality. While most industrial companies have begun their digital journey, studies show that fewer than a quarter have a comprehensive strategy in place. Many legacy businesses, particularly in the lower-middle market, lack the capital, in-house expertise, and cross-functional alignment to execute a full-scale digital overhaul. This creates a fertile ground for a specialized investor like Vintage Stone.

According to one industry analyst, “There is a huge, underserved market of solid industrial businesses that are stuck in a technological time warp. They have good products and a loyal workforce, but they can't compete on efficiency or data analytics.” This is the disconnect Vintage Stone aims to exploit. Furthermore, their mission aligns with broader economic and political tailwinds, including government initiatives like the “Manufacturing USA” program and a national push to reshore supply chains, which together create a supportive environment for revitalizing domestic manufacturing.

The Competitive Edge in a Crowded Field

Private equity has long been active in the industrial sector, with numerous firms like American Industrial Partners and Monomoy Capital Partners known for their operational focus. Yet, Vintage Stone Capital carves out a distinct niche. While others may implement lean manufacturing or make incremental improvements, Vintage Stone’s entire thesis is built on the deep, technological modernization of complex legacy assets.

This specialized focus requires a different kind of expertise. It’s not just about optimizing a balance sheet or streamlining a production line; it's about re-architecting a company's digital nervous system. The firm’s stated goal is to turn data from millions of heartbeats of industrial machinery into the same kind of actionable information that has revolutionized other sectors. Experts note that this requires a rare combination of skills that Cielinski's appointment seems to embody.

As the industrial sector continues to grapple with challenges like talent shortages and cybersecurity risks, the need for expert guidance in navigating modernization becomes even more acute. Vintage Stone’s model, now supercharged by Cielinski's execution capabilities, is a focused bet that the most valuable asset in the next industrial age will be a blueprint for the future, not just a claim on past cash flows. By dedicating itself to this technological revival, the firm is positioning itself not just as an investor, but as a key player in building the next generation of American industrial infrastructure.