Brad Meikle

Denison bid nixes proposed Mega Uranium-Rockgate merger

The proposed merger between Toronto-based uranium producer Mega Uranium Ltd and Rockgate Capital Corp, a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company, has been terminated. The transaction, which would have seen Rockgate become a subsidiary of Mega Uranium for around $22 million of cash, was ended when Rockgate received a "superior" takeover bid from Denison Mines Corp. Mega Uraninum is a portfolio investment of Canadian resources-focused private equity firm Pinetree Capital.

Bedford Capital sells REV Sleep to Normand Ricard-led Sommex Bedding

Toronto-based REV Sleep Corp, a manufacturer of mattress, box springs and bedding products, has been acquired by Sommex Bedding Corp, which is led by Normand Ricard, founder of the original Québec-based Sommex bedding brand. The seller in the transaction was Canadian private equity firm Bedford Capital, which bought REV Sleep, formerly Spring Air Sommex, in a management buyout in March 2007. The financial terms of the acquisition were not published. Going forward, REV Sleep will operate as a division of Sommex Bedding.

ATS Automation completes acquisition of PE-backed IWK for $144 mln

Cambridge, Ontario-based ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc (TSX:ATA), a provider of custom designed, built and installed manufacturing solutions, has completed its previously announced $144 million buy of IWK Verpackungstecknik GmbH, a pharmaceutical and personal care tube filling and cartoning machinery group. The seller in the deal was OYSTAR Group, a Stutensee, Germany-based producer of packaging machinery that is portfolio company of private equity firm Odewald. The Berlin-based Odewald invested in OYSTAR in 2007.

Orion Mine Finance provides $35 mln in funding to GoGold Resources

Halifax, Nova Scotia-based GoGold Resources Inc (TSX: GGD), a mineral resource company, has received US$35 million in equity and debt financing from Orion Mine Finance. Orion has provided the first US$15 million tranche under the credit agreement and has also acquired 4,693,563 common shares of GoGold. Proceeds will be used to fund development of the company's Parral tailings project in Chihuahua, Mexico, and for working capital purposes. Orion, formerly known as RK Mine Finance, is a global private equity investor in precious and base metals sectors.

Mezz provider First West Capital supports buyout of Big Freight Systems

First West Capital, the Vancouver-based investment division of First West Credit Union, has provided an undisclosed amount of funding to Big Freight Systems Inc to support a shareholder buyout process for the family-owned company. Founded in 1948, Big Freight is a freight management and supply chain solutions business based in Steinbach, Manitoba. First West Capital manages a $100 million fund that provides subordinated debt and mezzanine financing to small businesses in Western Canada.

Clairvest invests $15 mln in outdoor advertiser Cieslok Media

Canadian mid-market private equity firm Clairvest Group has made a $15 million investment in Cieslok Media, formerly known as Titan Outdoor Canada Co. With offices in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver and Edmonton, Cieslok is an outdoor advertising company focused on large format digital and static billboards in major Canadian cities. Clairvest partnered in the transaction with company executive Jörg Cieslok. The firm's portion of the investment was $4 million. Clairvest co-CEO Jeff Parr was interviewed by peHUB Canada in June.

Dundee Corp invests in Urbana Corp-backed CNSX Markets

CNSX Markets, which is backed by Urbana Corp., has received an undisclosed investment from Dundee Corp. As a result of the transaction, Dundee President and CEO Ned Goodman has been named a deputy chairman of CNSX's board. CNSX is the operator of the Canadian National Stock Exchange and Pure Trading.

Buyouts September 30 2013 - Digital Edition

KKR buys stake in appliance maker in biggest China deal

Investment company KKR & Co LP said it had agreed to buy a 10-percent stake in Qingdao Haier Co Ltd, gaining exposure to China’s home appliances market with its biggest investment in the country to date.

Vista Equity to take Active Network private in $904 mln deal

Event management software maker Active Network Inc will be acquired by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners in a deal valued at about $904 million, a little more than two years after it went public, sister news service Reuters reported.