Los Angeles, CA, July 29, 2025 – Caltius Structured Capital is pleased to announce the recent closing of a debt and equity investment in Chula Vista-based Marine Group Boat Works (“MGBW” or the “Company”). The financing was used to support the buyout by Co-Founder and President Todd Roberts, who has joined forces with entrepreneurs Chip Besse, a MGBW customer with successful investments in multiple industries, and Skye Callantine, principal of investment firm Vigeo Investments. Besse will serve as Chairman of the board while Roberts will continue to actively lead the company in his new role as CEO, with a greater focus on growth and expansion plans.
With roots dating back to the 1970s, MGBW (marinegroupbw.com) is a leading service provider in the ship retrofit, repair, maintenance, and construction industry. The company has a ~1.0 million square foot facility/shipyard in the San Diego Bay where the company performs repair, maintenance, refits, coatings and preservation services, and engine and generator repower. The company also maintains a state-of-the-art 180K sq. ft. facility in Puerto Los Cabos, focusing on recreational boat repair and storage.
Together, Caltius, Vigeo Investments, Besse and MGBW’s leadership team seek to build on the Company’s reputation for excellence by further developing its brand; security and functionality of the Chula Vista shipyard entrance (adjacent to the new Gaylord Pacific Resort); greater engagement with the superyacht industry; expansion of its Navy repair capabilities; and growth of MGBW’s construction division in support of the revival of California boatbuilding and U.S. manufacturing.
“My team and I have a bold vision for expanding the MGBW brand and pursuing new market segments, and our new partners share our vision,” said Todd Roberts. “This investment represents an incredible opportunity for us to make our vision a reality. With the resources that they bring to the table, the sky is really the limit for us now.”
Steven Folse, Managing Director at Vigeo Investments said, “The Caltius team impressed us with their due diligence and patience prior to investing. They visited our location and quickly figured out the drivers of our business. Their partnership and flexible capital structure align well with the Company’s long term growth strategy.”
“We are excited to partner with Todd and his leadership team,” said Alisa Frederick, Managing Director at Caltius Structured Capital. “We’ve been impressed by the company’s strong historical growth and the team’s compelling vision for the future. Chip and Steven bring deep expertise in building and scaling businesses, and they are fully committed to expanding the MGBW brand and exploring new market opportunities. We look forward to supporting MGBW and Todd in this next chapter.”
CSC Investment Guidelines
We provide owners of middle-market companies throughout the U.S. with capital solutions for liquidity events and growth opportunities. Caltius Structured Capital invests from $7 million to $50 million in companies with positive cash flow, designing flexible capital structures including subordinated debt, minority/structured equity and unitranche debt. Currently investing from its sixth fund complex, Los Angeles-based Caltius Structured Capital has invested approximately $1.6 billion in over 88 transactions since 1997.
