Nix Companies Inc. “NCI” is a family holding company. We are principally owned by the fifth generation of the Nix family, with our executive team as minority partners. In some ways, we resemble a traditional family office. We differ in that we are ‘hands on’ with our holdings and we are still operating our legacy business, Nix Metals, founded by Charles Nix in 1902.
As a parent company, NCI’s primary purpose is to provide strategic guidance, shared services, growth resources, corporate structure, and governance that is not otherwise feasible for small businesses. We deploy this through our shared support staff, back office systems, executive leadership, board of advisors, and financial resources.
We invest in opportunities that are a ‘bolt-on’ to one of our existing businesses, as well as stand-alone platform acquisitions or start-ups. We focus on businesses that are within our verticals or directly adjacent to our primary business. Our history is in the metal services industry, but our core competency extends to most of the trades-oriented job shop service industries, as well as any supporting services to those industries.
We take a people and values based approach to business. We truly believe people are our biggest asset and that business can and should be a force for good. The level to which we strive to integrate our values and culture within very traditional blue collar businesses is a differentiator. We strive to add value to all who we come in contact with, and we believe our values and strategies will deliver consistent, long term success.
As a fifth generation family business, we take a long term, patient approach. Our goal is to start up or acquire, grow, and hold. We differ from typical private equity in that we are not looking for short term investments to “flip”. We differ from other family offices in that we are more hands on with our businesses and offer a full suite of shared services and back office support. This is strong value add since we tend to invest in smaller businesses that may not be able to justify these services without the collective scale we offer. Since we tend to invest in related businesses that we have deep knowledge of, it allows us to provide stronger direction guidance and support to our management partners. Each scenario is unique. However, the following is a list of resources we can provide to start ups, partial interest investments, or full acquisitions.
To build an industry leading portfolio of self-sustaining businesses through acquisitions and start-ups.
Matthew started working at the family business at the age of 8, sweeping the floor and cleaning machinery for $5.00 a Saturday. Later, he began working in the shop as a summer intern learning the ropes. In addition to learning the technical trade aspects of the job, he credits much of his customer service, business development skills, and values to the lessons he learned working with his father and grandfather. Matthew began working full-time for the company in 2004 after attending Vincennes University for welding technology. Since that time, the once mom and pop business has grown nearly 100 times to 125+ team members with a national reach. Nix Companies has been named to the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America for 7 consecutive years, Posey County Business of the Year, Indiana Companies to Watch, and one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana in 2018 and 2019. Nix Companies was also named the Southwest Indiana community champion of the year in 2021. Matthew is an advocate of lifelong learning. In 2017 he completed a certificate in Executive Business administration from the University of Notre Dame. Matthew is passionate about building a company known for excellence in its people and culture. His autonomous management style embraces the strengths of his team to compliment his visionary leadership. He is also passionate about adding value to his community and believes business can and should be a force for good. He is (or has been) involved in multiple groups and activities to support this mission; such as Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors, Family Business Alliance – Executive Committee, Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance – Executive Committee, Posey County Economic Develop – Board of Directors, Posey County Redevelopment Commission- Board of Directors, Forum 4 Growth, Business Owner Network – Charter Member, Junior Achievement – Classroom Volunteer, and Legatus Catholic CEO Network- Evansville Chapter Charter Member.
Brian Merkley joined our organization in 2013 as the first General Manager of one of our business units, Nix Coatings. Brian has a degree from Indiana State University in Construction Management, and prior work experience in operations management. His excellent “boots on the ground” leadership style and problem solving skills have earned him high regard with his team members and a track record for results. Today, Brian leads the entire Coatings Group (Field Coatings and Shop Coatings) as the Vice President of Operations as well as leads our Maintenance Program for the entire company. From leading his team, to scheduling, to maintenance, Brian keeps our facilities running, our customers happy, and our reputation soundly growing.
Adam has also grown up working in the business through high school and as a summer intern while attending University of Southern Indiana. Adam is known for his warm personality and exceptional customer service. In addition to leading our Repairs & Maintenance Division as the Vice President of Operations, Adam also leads our Employee Health and Safety Program and is a member of the Nix Companies Board of Directors. His unique experience and intelligence coupled with his great personality and demeanor make him an excellent asset as our company continues to grow.
Adam Schmitt joined the organization in 2013 as the first sales person in the company history. Adam graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with degrees in both Human Resources and Business Management. Adam has been instrumental in the company’s growth and evolution. Adam’s ability to see outside the box, his knack for product development, and his customer relationship skills are of great value. Today, he leads our company’s business development efforts and administrative teams which include, Human Resources, Sales, Marketing, IT, and Product Development. Under Adam’s direction, we continue to see our business expand on its current offerings as well as forge into new markets.
Lindsey Nix, Director of Public Relations & Training for Nix Companies, has held multiple roles within the company. She has been instrumental in helping navigate us through our high growth years. She spent 6 years as Director of Finance, managing the accounting and finance department of Nix's business divisions. With the addition of our CFO in 2017, she was able to transition to her current role. Lindsey enjoys introducing Nix to new customers and markets and maintaining key relationships with our current customer base.
Lindsey also represents the company and the Nix family in various community organizations, activities, and oversees charitable giving. In addition to many other community and volunteer activities, she serves on the Southwest Indiana Chamber's Posey County Alliance committee as well as chairs the Family Business Alliance. She has a passion for family business and the Southwest Indiana business community. Lindsey and Matthew are also founding members of the Evansville chapter of Legatus, a Catholic business executive group. Lindsey also serves as a member of the Nix Companies Board of Directors, as the Board Secretary.
Brandon joined our company in 2015 as the General Manager of one of our business units, Nix Equipment (currently the Repair & Maintenance Division). Brandon was instrumental in development of processes and procedures, integration, and provided the necessary leadership to help Nix grow. Now, Brandon leads as the Vice President of Operations for all Nix satellite locations including our Structural Fabrication Division in Rockport, IN, Gear & Machine Division in Princeton, IN and Northend Gear & Machine Division in Fairfield, OH. Within his operations role he is able to leverage his Degree in Industrial Technology & Industrial Distribution from Purdue University, along with over a decade of experience in a similar business, to develop and lead our growing company’s needs.
Jared Baehl joined the Nix Companies team in August of 2017 to lead the Accounting Department. Jared graduated from the University of Evansville with degrees in both Accounting and Business Management. Jared now leads all financial operations as the Chief Financial Officer for all Nix Integrated Businesses as well as all Nix Holdings Companies and is a member of the Nix Companies Board of Directors. His experience in public accounting will help with future growth and expansion through continued success and acquisitions.
After graduating college in 1983, Tracy worked at a local tool and die shop as office manager. In 1992, Tracy started working for a small start-up plastics company in Poseyville called All-Tech Plastics as Office Manager. The company was sold in 2000 to Lucent Polymers in Evansville, IN and Tracy was promoted to Corporate Controller. In 2005, Lucent Polymers was sold to a private equity firm out of Chattanooga, TN, so Tracy continued with the new company and in 2006 was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Lucent Polymers was sold again in 2013 to Citadel Plastics Holdings out of Chicago, IL and Tracy was moved to Director of Finance for all subsidiaries in the US and Canada. Then, 2015 came and Citadel Plastics Holdings sold to A. Shulman, a publicly traded company based out of Germany. Tracy continued as Director of Finance until retiring in 2016. Since retiring, Tracy has continued to help with Accounting, Finance and Operations Consulting work for various local companies.
Greg Eling is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati and attended the University of Cincinnati receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Xavier University. He started his career with Cintas Corporation in 1976 in Accounting. He has had the unique experience to see the organization grow from $7M in annual revenues in 1976 with less than 200 employees to a Fortune 500 Company with over 40,000 employees and $7.5B in annual revenues. He has held various positions throughout his career in the Accounting / Finance / Treasury function moving to Corporate Controller. In the mid 1980’s, he was promoted to Director of Business Development. Greg acquired over 100 industrial laundry businesses across America as the industry was consolidating through the mid 1980’s into the 1990’s. Greg was promoted to Regional Vice President in 1996 and then became a Group Vice President in 1999 where he oversees a $400M annual revenue organization. With his extensive exposure to the evolution of Cintas, he has served on various corporate wide committees including Corporate Policy Committee, Audit Committee, Cintas PAC Oversight Committee and the Partner Profit Sharing Investment Committee. Outside of Cintas, he has significant interaction with the University of Cincinnati Lindner School of Business on an advisory board to the Dean and is involved in Project Strategy designed to engage freshman with the business community.
Prior to founding Bridge Alternative Investment Solutions, Kyle was an executive at SS&C Technologies, where he orchestrated and grew the Evansville, Indiana office from one employee in March of 2011 to over 240 employees. Further, he assisted in various growth initiatives and acquisitions while at SS&C where the company went from 1,300 employees to over 24,000 employees in 2021. Kyle was accountable for hundreds of alternative funds ranging in size, structure, strategy, and geographical locations across the globe. Kyle has over 15 years of extensive experience in accounting, finance, technology, helping clients streamline processes, maximize performance, and increase profitability. Kyle is a graduate of University of Southern Indiana and obtained his Certified Public Accounting designation in Indiana while working for Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Jim is a graduate from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurship, Industry Technology (Polymer Science). Jim composed the business plan for Enviroplas, Inc. as his thesis for the Capstone Business Plan Course in The Nationally Ranked Ball State University Entrepreneurship Program at The Miller College of Business. In 1993 upon completion, the plan secured the “Top Plan Award” at Ball State as well as The National Federation of Independent Business Excellence Award. Later that year the company was founded with the use of Jim’s student credit card. The company and its nearly 100 employees still grows and thrives today as an Engineering Thermoplastic Resin Manufacturer providing its custom formulated products to the Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Military and Consumer Appliance markets among others. Aside from this, Jim is an active member of the Ball State University Miller College of Business Entrepreneurship Center Advisory Board, Society of Plastics Engineers and Vistage International as well as an active contributor of Time and Treasure to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Wounded Warrior Foundation, Point Man Ministries – Serving our Military Veterans and the Evansville Junior Football League.
Jim Gribbins is the Founder and current President & CEO of Gribbins Specialty Group, a holding company for Gribbins Insulation, Fit Tight Covers, Pro-Therm Supply, and Elite Environmental. Since its founding in Evansville, the company has expanded with five regional offices/ warehouses and over 250 employees. Jim is the Owner of Premier Development Properties, a real estate holding company. He obtained a business degree from the University of Evansville and is also currently serving as Chairman for National Heat and Frost Insulator’s Pension Fund and a board member of National Heat and Frost Insulator’s Medical Fund, National Union Insulation Contractors Alliance, and Complete Structure Insurance. Aside from this, Jim has contributed his time as a board member for multiple organizations including Evansville Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors of Indiana, Central States Insulation Association, Good Shepherd Catholic School Board, and International Foundation of Employee Benefits.
Nix Companies Inc.
129 West Fletchall Avenue
Poseyville, IN 47633
Phone: (812) 874-2422
