We acquire and build enduring companies in essential services
We invest in and operate mission‑critical service businesses. Our teams protect legacy, empower people and compound cash flows through continuous improvement and commercial excellence.
Operator‑led teams with deep experience across services and light industrial markets
Proven operating system that compounds small improvements into outsized results
Collaborative partnerships with founders and investors for the long term
About Navigator Holdings
We are an operator‑led holding company. Our model mirrors world‑class industrial science companies: a decentralised operating structure at the business level and a shared continuous‑improvement system for compounding performance.
Hold forever (when we’re the best owner)
We buy control positions in resilient, niche leaders and hold long‑term where our operating system is a durable edge. We are also willing to shape the portfolio if a business is no longer core.
Recurring, mission‑critical revenue
We prefer installed‑base, service and consumables revenue with high switching costs and strong cash conversion.
Operator’s playbook
Daily management, kaizen events, policy deployment and rigorous problem solving drive safety, quality, delivery and cost—then commercial excellence accelerates growth.
Focus areas
Service and industry segments we pursue and operate in our portfolio.
Our Operating System
A practical, teachable system inspired by proven continuous‑improvement philosophies. It scales from the front line to the boardroom and underpins how we improve the businesses we acquire.
People & leadership
Leader standard work, tiered daily huddles and visual management create alignment and fast problem escalation. We invest in training (A3 thinking, root‑cause, kaizen facilitation).
Policy deployment
Annual and quarterly strategy deployment (Hoshin) cascades a few vital objectives through metrics (“bowlers”). Every team knows the target, gap and owner.
Problem solving
Standard work, 5S, A3 root‑cause, countermeasures and check/adjust cycles. We favour small, rapid PDCA experiments over big‑bang projects.
Growth engine
Voice‑of‑Customer, segmentation, pricing discipline, funnel management and launch excellence. We measure win‑rates, time‑to‑close and unit economics weekly.
SIOP & supply chain
Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning, capacity modelling, supplier development and inventory turns. Objective: shorter lead times, higher OTIF, lower working capital.
Digital & data
Simple KPI stack (safety, quality, delivery, cost, growth) and clean financials. We instrument the shop floor and CRM to move from lagging to leading indicators.
Investment & acquisition approach
Our disciplined flywheel: Acquire great businesses → Improve with our operating system → Compound cash flows → Reinvest. We preserve operator autonomy while bringing scale advantages.
What we buy
- Attractive markets with secular growth (infrastructure services, compliance‑driven workflows).
- Quality businesses: strong brand, differentiated tech/process, repeat/recurring revenue, margin expansion potential.
- Fit‑for‑system: clear roadmap where our operating system is a real edge.
How we underwrite
- “Best owner” test; conservative leverage; cash conversion focus (ROIC > WACC through the cycle).
- Value‑creation plan pre‑sign: 5–7 priority initiatives with owners, milestones and economics.
- Clean‑room integration to protect day‑one continuity (people, customers, safety, compliance).
Post‑close (30/60/90)
- Stabilise: governance, financial close cadence, KPI stack, customer communication.
- Standardise: leader standard work, SIOP, pricing guardrails, service level agreements.
- Improve: kaizen events on lead time, scrap/rework, quote‑to‑cash; launch quick‑win growth sprints.
What we won’t do
- Turnaround of distressed, binary‑risk businesses.
- High customer concentration without mitigation.
- Speculative tech without line‑of‑sight to unit economics.
Portfolio shaping
We periodically assess where we are the best long‑term owner. We will divest or partner when a business no longer fits our edge—keeping focus and reinvesting in our core.
For investors
Navigator Holdings delivers enduring value by operating and compounding resilient service businesses. We invest alongside our partners and focus on long‑term returns.
Why invest with us
- Long‑term compounded returns through operational excellence
- Resilient service businesses with recurring, mission‑critical revenue
- Alignment with investors via meaningful personal capital at risk
- Disciplined capital allocation and conservative leverage
Our commitments
- Transparent communication and timely reporting
- Rigorous governance and risk management
- Sustainable growth that benefits employees, customers and communities
- Open collaboration with like‑minded, patient capital partners
Interested in partnering with Navigator Holdings? Contact us
Careers at Navigator Holdings
Operators, builders and learners thrive here. Join a team that compounds small improvements into enduring impact.
Who thrives here
- General managers & P&L owners with hands‑on leadership experience
- Continuous improvement practitioners: Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma leaders
- Commercial builders: marketing, sales and product professionals
- Functional experts: finance, supply chain and digital transformation
What we look for
- Ownership mindset and bias to action
- Data‑driven problem solving and curiosity
- Commitment to team culture and development
- Desire to work in essential service & light industrial businesses
See yourself here? Contact us
Contact
We’re eager to connect. Send us a note and we’ll get back to you promptly.