2 min read · 29 January 2019
BDC Capital has provided undisclosed mezzanine financing to Hayabusa, a Kingston, Ontario-based designer and maker of equipment and apparel for boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and other combat sports. BDC made the investment through its growth and transition capital group. Founded in 2006, Hayabusa's products are used by both fitness enthusiasts and professionals. Last year, the company moved to a primarily direct-to-consumer sales model through its online store. Hayabusa will use the funds raised for working capital, with a focus on producing inventory required to ramp up sales in the fitness training market.
2 min read · 28 January 2019
Vector Solutions has acquired Global Risk Innovations (GRI), a Guelph, Ontario-based provider of fire department software. Terms weren't disclosed. Founded in 2006, GRI, also known as Medteq Solutions CA Ltd, provides online training, professional development and risk management solutions for first responders in Canada. Vector, a Tampa, Florida-based provider of e-learning and performance support solutions, said the deal will expand the Canadian presence of its affiliate TargetSolutions, an online training management system for public safety agencies. Vector was acquired last year by U.S. private equity firm Golden Gate Capital.
3 min read · 28 January 2019
Canada’s private equity market had a banner year in 2018, especially in terms of dollars invested. As in the past, the lion’s share of deals engaged mid-market companies. Most of the cash, however, was accounted for by a small collection of large caps. Among them was the $5.1 billion recap of GFL Environmental, which headed the top 10 PE deals last year. Combined, they had disclosed values of $32 billion, up 70 percent from the $19 billion the top 10 deals of 2017 drew. The number is based on PE Hub Canada’s list of the largest deals announced in 2018, supplemented by preliminary data from Refinitiv. It suggests that large caps fueled the most substantial dollar flows in the market’s history.
3 min read · 25 January 2019
Syntax Systems has acquired EmeraldCube Solutions, an Atlanta-based company providing business technology solutions to JD Edwards customers. No financial terms were disclosed. Syntax, a Montréal-based provider of cloud-managed enterprise resource planning (ERP) services, said the acquisition will enhance its Oracle JD Edwards offering with Amazon Web Services' public cloud capabilities. The deal comes on the heels of Syntax's agreement earlier this week to acquire Freudenberg IT, a cloud provider and information technology service provider. Canadian mid-market private equity firm Novacap, which acquired Syntax in 2016, provided equity financing for both transactions.
4 min read · 25 January 2019
Syntax Systems has agreed to acquire Freudenberg IT, a Morrisville, North Carolina-based cloud provider and information technology service provider. Terms weren’t released for the deal, which is expected to close in Q1 2019. FIT, which manages SAP applications in the cloud for global enterprise customers, is being sold by Freudenberg Group, a German technology conglomerate. Canadian mid-market private equity firm Novacap, which acquired Syntax in 2016, provided equity financing for the transaction. Montréal-based Syntax is a provider of cloud managed ERP services.
4 min read · 25 January 2019
EverZinc has acquired G.H. Chemicals Ltd and its affiliate Microzinc Inc (GHC), a Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec-based manufacturer and exporter of French Process zinc oxide products. Terms weren't disclosed. The sellers were Stephan Tabah and Philippe Bailet. Established in 1974, GHC produces various grades of zinc oxide to supply customers in industrial, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. EverZinc, a Brussels, Belgium-based specialty zinc chemical company, said the add-on complements its global operations. EverZinc was acquired in 2016 by U.S. private equity firm OpenGate Capital.
3 min read · 25 January 2019
Avison Young has acquired Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group, a Gainesville, Florida-based commercial real estate brokerage and property management company. No financial terms were disclosed. Avison, a Toronto-based provider of commercial real estate services, said the acquisition brings its U.S. offices to 59 in all. Over the past decade, the company's worldwide network of offices has grown from 11 to 87. Last year, Avison secured a $250 million preferred investment from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. The deal facilitated the exit of Canadian mid-market private equity firm Parallel49 Equity.
8 min read · 24 January 2019
Spinrite has agreed to acquire the North American crafts business of Coats Group plc, an Uxbridge, U.K.-based industrial thread manufacturer. Spinrite agreed to pay US$37 million in cash, Coats said in a separate release. The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks. It includes craft brands Red Heart, Coats & Clark, Aunt Lydia and Susan Bates, Anchor, Dual Duty XP and J&P Coats. Spinrite, a Listowel, Ontario-based craft company and craft knitting yarns provider, will also gain U.S. manufacturing and distribution sites. Last year, U.S. private investment firm Comvest Partners acquired Spinrite from Canadian private equity firm TorQuest Partners.
2 min read · 24 January 2019
Alberta Investment Management Corp (AIMCo) has agreed to acquire a minority stake in Davies Group, a London-based provider of claims solutions, insurance services and customer experience programs to clients in highly regulated markets. Terms weren't released for the deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter. The seller of the interest is U.S. mid-market private equity firm HGGC. HGGC invested in Davies two years ago and will continue to be its majority shareholder. James Ridout, a director in AIMCo's private equity group, said the Canadian pension fund will help Davies capitalize on additional global growth opportunities.
3 min read · 24 January 2019
