Totten Insurance Group, an affiliate of Hub International Ltd, has acquired the shares of Canadian Resources Insurance Solutions Inc (CRIS). No financial terms were released. Sudbury, Ontario-based CRIS is a wholesale intermediary servicing insurance broker with a particular focus on mining and forestry. Totten, a provider of solutions for hard-to-place property and casualty accounts, said the deal expands its footprint in Canada and adds to its specialization. Chicago-based Hub is a portfolio company of U.S. private equity firm Hellman & Friedman.
2 min read · 03 August 2016
Canadian content marketing automation startup LookBookHQ Inc has raised about $5.2 million (US$4 million) in a Series A financing. The round was led by Edison Partners and joined by Hyde Park Venture Partners, both U.S. venture capital firms. LookBookHQ has developed technology that helps brand marketers deliver more engaging, behaviour-driven content experiences. It plans to use the funds raised to invest in sales and marketing and expand its workforce in the United States and its Toronto headquarters. LookBookHQ was founded in 2012 by CEO Mark Opauszky and President and CMO Nick Edouard.
5 min read · 03 August 2016
Pro Mach Inc has acquired Zarpac Inc, a Canadian provider of packaging line engineering, integration, and productivity services and solutions to customers in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific . No financial terms were disclosed. Pro Mach said the deal adds engineering and integration services to its packaging and processing products and solutions. It said it will continue to invest in the Oakville, Ontario-based company. Pro Mach, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is backed by U.S. private equity firm AEA Investors. AEA bought the business from The Jordan Co in October 2014.
5 min read · 03 August 2016
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ has invested $4.2 million in Processia Solutions, a Laval, Québec-based provider of consulting services and IT solution integration services related to product life-cycle management. The deal, which gives Fonds de solidarité FTQ a minority interest in the company, is intended to help Processia strengthen its position in global markets, notably in the United States, France and Great Britain, and support its next phases of growth. Processia serves business customers in a range of industries. Founded in 2000, it reports average annual growth of 30 percent in the past seven years.
3 min read · 03 August 2016
Give & Go Prepared Foods Corp, formerly a portfolio company of OMERS Private Equity (OPE), has closed its sale to Thomas H. Lee Partners, a U.S. private equity firm. The financial terms of the deal, announced in April, were not released; however, a recent report by Reuters put the value at close to US$800 million. Concurrent with the sale to Thomas H. Lee, Give & Go, a Canadian maker of baked goods, acquired Create-a-Treat Ltd and NAFTA Foods and Packaging Inc. The Brampton, Ontario-based companies make edible craft products for celebrations and holidays. They will form a new Give & Go division called Create-a-Treat. OPE acquired Give & Go in December 2007.
4 min read · 03 August 2016
Canadian junior oil and gas company Chinook Energy Inc (TSX: CKE) has initiated a review of strategic alternatives. The alternatives may include acquisition opportunities to expand its core Montney asset base, or establish a new core of operations, as well as merger, sale or joint-venture opportunities. The process will include all of Calgary-based Chinook’s assets, as well as assets held by WOGH LP, an affiliate of Alberta Investment Management Corp (AIMCo), the company's major shareholder. Chinook has engaged Peters & Co Ltd as its financial advisor for the strategic review.
6 min read · 03 August 2016
Canadian private equity firm Mosaic Capital Corp has agreed to acquire an 80 percent interest in Mackow Industries, a Winnipeg-based manufacturer of precision fabricated metal components. Mosaic agreed to pay $29.5 million for the stake, to be funded through cash and vendor take-back financing. Mackow's management team will retain a 20 percent interest. Founded in 1985, Mackow serves customers in the transit bus and motor coach industry of North America. It said the partnership with Mosaic will bring resources required to expand the business. Last month, Mosaic appointed Mark Gardhouse as its new CEO.
5 min read · 03 August 2016
Cott Corp (NYSE: COT, TSX: BCB) has closed its acquisition of Eden Springs International, a Swiss direct-to-consumer services provider specializing in workplace drinks solutions. The deal, announced in June, reflected a purchase price of €470 million ($682 million) on a debt and cash-free basis. The seller was Rhône Capital, a U.S. private equity firm that acquired Eden Springs in mid-2013. Toronto-based beverage producer Cott said the deal is consistent with its diversification strategy.
6 min read · 02 August 2016
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp has agreed to acquire GameTV Corp from Kilmer Enterprises Inc, an affiliate of Canadian private investment firm Kilmer Group. No financial terms were released. Launched in 2005, GameTV is a specialty network available in more than 9 million homes across Canada via cable, satellite and IPTV systems. Kilmer Enterprises President Kenny Albert said the company will benefit from "being part of a larger group rather than continuing as a stand-alone service.” Anthem operates a number of specialty channels, including Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network in Canada.
3 min read · 02 August 2016
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan has partnered with U.S. private equity firm Wind Point Partners in the acquisition of Aurora Plastics Inc, a maker of rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPVC) compounds. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is being done in collaboration with Mike Fitzpatrick, who will serve as chairman of Aurora's holding company. Streetsboro, Ohio-based Aurora provides customized RPVC compounds for extruding and injection molding customers in North America. Jane Rowe, senior vice-president, private capital at Ontario Teachers', said Aurora has the potential of "becoming a robust growth platform" with the support of its new partners.
3 min read · 02 August 2016
