Safeway Sling fabricates a full line of synthetic and metal lifting slings and a variety of cargo restraint assemblies. The Company was founded by Sue and Jim Szymczak in 1980, originally operating two industrial sewing machines out of a rented basement in Cudahy, Wisconsin. The Company has since grown to become an industry leader.

“The marketing process generated 26 interested parties who submitted offers. I was surprised that there would be that many people interested in this little company,” said Sue Szymczak, President of Safeway Sling. “I think the level of Emory & Co.’s integrity is very high, and that’s extremely important.”

Bishop Lifting Products Inc., is a subsidiary of SBP Holdings and makes, distributes and rents wire rope, sling and rigging products. SBP Holdings is a portfolio company of AEA Investors, a New York private equity firm.

Bishop described Safeway as the “gold standard” for overhead lifting slings in an announcement.

“We are excited with the addition of Safeway Sling to our family of companies,” said Harold King, President of Bishop. “Safeway Sling has a proven track record in our industry of supplying the highest quality synthetic slings with the highest level of service.”

“We ran a full sale process, contacting numerous strategic buyers and private equity groups, and Bishop Lifting emerged as the clear choice as the best buyer,” said John Emory Jr., President of Emory & Co.

“We are honored to have worked with the founders of Safeway to transition their business to new owners who will build upon the culture and legacy that the Szymczak’s created,” added Taylor Kotke, Vice President of Emory & Co.

Emory & Co. worked closely with the owners of Safeway Sling USA, Inc. throughout the sale process, leading the marketing, negotiation and due diligence phases of the transaction.