Williams Lea Tag (WLT) has acquired THP, a Toronto-based provider of digital content and social media services for brand managers and marketers. No financial terms were disclosed. Founded in 2009 by CEO Amanda Riva, THP serves more than 680 food, beverage and consumer goods brands across North America and Europe. U.K.-based WLT is a marketing and communications services provider. The acquisition is the company's second since it was acquired last year by U.S. private equity firm Advent International.
2 min read · 11 October 2018
Québec City-based natural stone quarrier Polycor Inc has merged with Indiana Limestone Co (ILCO), a dimensional limestone quarrier and building products supplier based in Bloomington, Indiana. Terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which follows Polycor’s July acquisition of four limestone quarries in France. The seller was U.S. private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital, which acquired ILCO’s assets out of bankruptcy in 2014. Polycor is a portfolio company of Canadian private equity firm TorQuest Partners. TorQuest acquired majority control in 2016. The 2016 deal included Polycor’s merger with U.S.-based Swenson Granite Works and its affiliate Rock of Ages.
3 min read · 11 October 2018
Québec City-based natural stone quarrier Polycor Inc has merged with Indiana Limestone Co (ILCO), a limestone quarrier and building products supplier based in Bloomington, Indiana. Terms weren't disclosed for the deal, which follows Polycor's July acquisition of four French limestone quarries. The seller was U.S. private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital, which acquired ILCO's assets out of bankruptcy in 2014. Polycor President and CEO Patrick Perus said ILCO joining his company marks "another milestone in Polycor's journey to become the global leader in the natural stone industry." Polycor is a portfolio company of Canadian private equity firm TorQuest Partners. TorQuest acquired majority control in 2016.
4 min read · 11 October 2018
Paper Excellence Canada has agreed to acquire Catalyst Paper Corp, a Richmond, British Columbia-based pulp and paper company. Terms weren't released. The acquisition includes Catalyst's three facilities in Crofton, Port Alberni and Powell River and its Surrey distribution centre. In a separate release, Catalyst said shareholders owning about 87 percent of its outstanding shares will vote in favour of the deal, which is expected to close no later than Q1 2019. Catalyst was taken private last year by Oaktree Capital Management, Cyrus Capital Partners and Mudrick Capital Management. Also based in Richmond, Paper Excellence oversees a group of pulp and paper companies.
2 min read · 11 October 2018
Tilray Inc (Nasdaq: TLRY), a Nanaimo, British Columbia-based cannabis research and production company, has acquired Alef Biotechnology SpA, Tilray's Chilean import and distribution partner. Alef's outstanding equity was purchased for about $5 million in cash and stock. Tilray said the deal creates a hub to distribute its products throughout Latin America. In July, Tilray raised about US$153 million in an initial public offering. It continues to be majority owned by U.S. cannabis private equity firm Privateer Holdings.
3 min read · 11 October 2018
TIMIA Capital Corp has provided a $2 million investment facility to FormHero Inc, a Toronto-based smart forms platform that helps business organizations automate paperwork and processes. TIMIA, a Canadian specialty finance firm, will deploy an initial $1 million, followed by a further $1 million when certain milestones are met. FormHero CEO Ryan Kimber, who co-founded the company in 2015, said the facility’s proceeds will support the expansion of marketing efforts. TIMIA provides growth capital to technology companies in exchange for revenue-based payments.
3 min read · 11 October 2018
Moz Inc has acquired STAT Search Analytics, a Vancouver-based provider of rank tracking and search-engine-result-page analytics for enterprises and digital agencies. No financial terms were released. Moz, a Seattle, Washington-based search engine optimization technology company, said it will retain and grow STAT's Vancouver team. STAT Founder and CEO Rob Bucci will become vice president of research and development. Moz said the acquisition creates the "most robust organic search solution in the industry.” Moz's U.S. venture capital investors include Foundry Group and Ignition Partners.
3 min read · 11 October 2018
Blue Ant Media has acquired Saloon Media, a Toronto-based television and digital content production company. Terms weren't disclosed for the deal, which will see Saloon's management team join Blue Ant’s global production unit. Blue Ant, a Toronto-based content producer, distributor and channel operator, said the acquisition is a key step in the expansion of its North American business. Led by CEO Michael MacMillan, who co-founded the company in 2011, Blue Ant creates content for factual, factual entertainment, digital series, kids programming and other genres. Its backers include Difference Capital, Gibraltar & Co, Kensington Venture Fund and Relay Ventures.
5 min read · 11 October 2018
Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) has sold minority stakes in Forth Ports Ltd, a British ports group. U.K.-based GLIL Infrastructure and Australia's First State Super and Construction and Building Unions Superannuation bought the interests. No financial terms were released. Earlier this month, PSP agreed to acquire the interest of Arcus Infrastructure Partners in Forth Ports, which owns and operates eight commercial ports in the United Kingdom.
4 min read · 11 October 2018
Celestica Inc (TSX, NYSE: CLS) has agreed to acquire Impakt Holdings LLC, a Santa Clara, California-based provider of design, engineering and manufacturing solutions for the display, semiconductor and solar industries. The purchase price is about $427 million (US$329 million). Celestica, a Toronto-based electronics manufacturing services provider, said the acquisition will give it new capabilities in large-format, complex, high-mix manufacturing solutions for multiple industries. It will also increase Celestica’s presence in U.S. and Korean markets. Celestica is a portfolio company of Canadian private equity firm Onex Corp, while Impakt is backed by U.S. private equity firm Graycliff Partners.
5 min read · 10 October 2018
