Demers Ambulances has merged with Braun Industries Inc, a Van Wert, Ohio-based designer and maker of custom ambulances for U.S. customers. No financial terms were released. Beloeil, Québec-based Demers said the merger creates North America's second-largest ambulance maker and will advance innovation and global growth. Demers CEO Alain Brunelle will lead the combined entity. Canadian private equity firm Clearspring Capital Partners led the deal alongside Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Clearspring and the Caisse acquired Demers from Ironbridge Equity Partners in 2016.
4 min read · 12 February 2018
Englobe Corp has acquired Crandall Engineering Ltd, a Moncton, New Brunswick-based provider of engineering consulting services in the civil, transportation, mechanical and electrical fields. No financial terms were released for the deal, which closed last month. Englobe, a Québec City-based soil, materials and environmental engineering specialist, said its combination with Crandall makes it a major service provider in Atlantic Canada. Englobe is a portfolio investment of ONCAP, the mid-market private equity arm of Onex Corp. ONCAP invested in 2006 and later partnered in the company’s acquisitions and go-private deal in 2011.
2 min read · 12 February 2018
Canadian venture capital firm Portag3 Ventures has appointed Stephan Klee as chief financial officer. Klee, who has 15 years of experience as a CFO and chief of staff at various companies, joins Portag3 after serving with Zenbanx Holding Inc and remaining in an executive capacity following Zenbanx's merger last year with SoFi Inc. Portag3 invests in financial technology startups on behalf of Power Corp's Power Financial Corp, IGM Financial Inc and Great-West Lifeco Inc. In 2016, PE Hub Canada interviewed Portag3 President and Managing Partner Adam Felesky.
3 min read · 12 February 2018
Canadian private equity firm Regimen Equity Partners has acquired Radial Engineering Ltd, a Vancouver-based manufacturer of pro-audio accessories and acoustical treatment products sold in nearly 60 countries. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which was done in partnership with Mike Belitz, a music industry executive and head of Ultimate Support Systems. Belitz will assume the role of Radial president and CEO, replacing Founder Peter Janis, who is retiring after leading the company since 1991. Radial is the fifth platform investment of Regimen.
3 min read · 12 February 2018
Curve Dental, a cloud-based, dental practice management software provider, has secured an undisclosed investment from Battery Ventures, a U.S. venture capital firm. With the deal, Battery's Chelsea Stoner and Duncan Gills will join the board along with healthcare software executive Dave Cormack. Curve Dental, based in Calgary and Orem, Utah, said it plans to use the funds raised to accelerate growth, drive product innovation, and provide services to customers in the dental industry. The company may also undertake acquisitions. Founded in 2005, Curve Dental is led by President and CEO Ian Zipursky.
3 min read · 12 February 2018
Marc Anthony Cosmetics Ltd has acquired Cake Beauty Inc, a Toronto-based beauty brand specializing in natural, vegan and cruelty-free products. No financial terms were released. Marc Anthony, a Toronto-based developer, marketer and distributor of salon-inspired haircare and bodycare products, said the purchase will help expand its portfolio of brands and support its global growth. Cake Beauty was founded in 2003 by CEO Heather Reier. Marc Anthony, founded in 1995 by CEO Marc Anthony, is a portfolio company of U.S. private equity firm TA Associates. TA Associates invested in the business in 2016.
4 min read · 12 February 2018
Vancouver-based biotechnology company STEMCELL Technologies Inc has secured $15 million in financing from BDC Capital’s Growth and Transition Capital division. Established in 1993 by Dr. Allen Eaves, the company's president and CEO, STEMCELL develops specialized reagents, tools and services supporting research in global cell biology and regenerative medicine. The funding partnership with BDC Capital will help STEMCELL continue to grow through expansion of its research and manufacturing facilities and development of new technologies and infrastructure to support its customer base of biomedical scientists.
2 min read · 12 February 2018
Owen & Co Ltd, which operates in Canada primarily under the Kingsdown brand, has acquired Zedbed Inc, a Shawinigan, Québec-based manufacturer of eco-friendly memory foam mattresses, motion bases, and sleep products. No financial terms were disclosed. Kingsdown, a Toronto-based mattress maker, said the deal is part of an "aggressive growth plan" to increase market penetration and broaden the company's luxury sleep product offerings throughout North America. Founded in 1904, Kingsdown was acquired last year by the industries group of Canadian private equity firm Novacap.
4 min read · 12 February 2018
GFL Environmental Inc has agreed to acquire the parent of Deep Foundations Contractors Inc and affiliates, a Stouffville, Ontario-based specialist in project foundation piling and shoring. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter. GFL, a Toronto-based environmental services business, said the buy will help grow the Canadian footprint of its infrastructure and soil remediation unit. The company, backed by HPS Investment Partners, Macquarie Group and Hawthorn Equity Partners, is reportedly planning the launch of a $1-billion initial public offering in 2018.
2 min read · 09 February 2018
Canadian pet-focused merchant bank Dane Creek Capital Corp has acquired 100 percent of Pets4Life, a St. Thomas, Ontario-based maker of gourmet frozen raw pet food for dogs and cats. No financial terms were released for the deal, which closed last month. The sellers were Glenn and Sherry Forrester, who have owned and operated the business since 2010. They will continue in their roles at Pets4Life. Dane Creek said the deal is its second in the frozen raw space and one of several planned opportunities in 2018. Dane Creek also announced a previously announced investment in Totally Raw Natural Dog Food Inc has been cancelled.
3 min read · 08 February 2018
