News

Vopne Capital has made an investment in North Las Vegas, Nevada-based Dolphin Machine, a maker of precision-machined components various industries, including aerospace, industrial equipment and liquefied natural gas. No financial terms were disclosed.

PRESS RELEASE

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31, 2018 — Dolphin Machine announced today an investment in the company by Vopne Capital, a Bay Area-based private equity firm.

Dolphin Machine is a leading manufacturer of precision-machined components for a variety of industries, including aerospace, industrial equipment, and liquefied natural gas. Dolphin manufactures mission-critical parts with tight tolerances and has a reputation for quality, operational excellence, and on-time delivery.

Dolphin Machine is led by Founder and President Dan DiCello, who started the company in 1984. Dan stated, “Dolphin has a proud history of exceeding our customers’ expectations by delivering complex machined components of the highest quality. Vopne is the right partner to help continue Dolphin’s success and to support the company as we invest in growth. They share our commitment to providing the highest-quality products and customer service, and their experience working with growing companies will be a great asset.”

“Dolphin Machine has a long track record of operational excellence, including recently attaining AS9100D certification,” said Jim Bloom, Managing Partner at Vopne, who joins Dolphin’s board of directors. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to join Dolphin at an exciting time for the company, particularly as they expand their operations.”

Concurrent with Vopne’s investment, Scott Kelley joins Dolphin Machine as its Chief Executive Officer, working alongside President Dan DiCello. Scott brings over 30 years of experience in manufacturing leadership, with past roles including President/COO of Bowtech, COO of Vacutech and Plano Molding, VP North American Operations of Penn Engineering and 10 years of operations experience at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Dolphin will continue to operate from its headquarters in North Las Vegas and will retain their highly-skilled and long-tenured staff.

About Dolphin Machine
Dolphin Machine is an AS9100D-certified precision manufacturing company located in North Las Vegas, NV. Dolphin was founded in 1984 by Dan DiCello in San Diego and moved to its current headquarters in 1990. Today, Dolphin employs highly-skilled individuals who produce precision-engineered parts. In-house capabilities include milling, turning, grinding, and honing. Dolphin has decades of experience working with challenging materials such as titanium alloys and is able to machine to extremely tight tolerances. For more information, visit www.dolphinmachine.com.

About Vopne Capital
Vopne Capital is a Bay Area-based private equity firm investing in growing, profitable companies in the lower middle market. Vopne undertakes investments, recapitalizations and acquisitions of manufacturing companies with experienced management teams, engineered and differentiated products, and an emphasis on quality and customer service. Vopne is currently investing its second fund, launched in 2018, Vopne Fund II, LP. For more information, visit www.vopne.com.