Private Equity
ESI Technologies, a Montréal-based information technology enterprise solutions provider, has secured nearly $10 million from Fondaction, a Canadian private equity and venture capital firm. Founded in 1994, ESI helps businesses manage, protect and transform their data into relevant information by modernizing their IT systems. Led by President and CEO Greg Rokos, the company will use the investment's proceeds for its global growth strategy and to invest in new solutions, including data creation and advanced analytics.
2 min read · 25 June 2018
Canadian healthcare private equity firm DW Healthcare Partners (DWHP) has made an investment in Aequor Healthcare Services, a Piscataway, New Jersey-based healthcare personnel provider that specializes in staffing physicians, therapists, nurses, technologists and related professionals. No financial terms were disclosed. Established in 2001, Aequor provides its services to a range of U.S. hospital systems, nursing homes, home care providers, clinics, schools, laboratories and life sciences organizations. The company is the sixth platform investment of DW Healthcare Partners Fund IV, which raised US$295 million last year.
2 min read · 25 June 2018
Australia’s Gateway Lifestyle Group has received a sweetened A$713.8 million (US$531 million), or A$2.35 a share, takeover offer from Hometown Australia Holdings Pty Ltd and Hometown America Communities LP, Reuters reported. The revised bid came after Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management launched a A$698.6 million bid for the retirement village owner last week. Gateway operates 50 retirement villages, often former caravan parks converted into communities for residents over 50 years old.
1 min read · 25 June 2018
Ottawa-based software company Corel Corp has acquired Gravit Designer, a cross-platform, web-based vector graphic design application and the flagship product of Germany's Gravit GmbH. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which saw Corel buy all assets previously owned by Gravit. Corel said it plans to accelerate the Gravit product line roadmap, expanding Gravit Designer’s reach to new markets and regions. Founded three years ago, Gravit was backed by German venture capital firm High-Tech Gründerfonds. Corel was taken private in 2003 and 2010 by U.S. private equity firm Vector Capital.
3 min read · 25 June 2018
Canadian private equity firm Lynx Equity has acquired Safe-Tech Training Inc, a Bolton, Ontario-based industrial safety specialist, providing training and certification programs at more than 1,000 client locations in Ontario and elsewhere across North America. No financial terms were disclosed. The company's sellers, CEO Dan Duckoff, who founded Safe-Tech in 1989, and COO Kathy Dukoff, will remain for up to three years to support the transition to new ownership. Safe-Tech is Lynx's fourth deal to date in 2018. Other recent acquisitions include Blind Bay Village Grocers, a Blind Bay, British Columbia-based retail destination.
3 min read · 25 June 2018
Canadian private equity firm Fulcrum Capital Partners has acquired National Logistics Services (NLS), a Toronto-based provider of third-party logistics for the apparel, footwear and action wear markets in North America. No financial terms were disclosed. Established in 1967 and led by President Terry Vukosa, NLS’ services extend to distributed brand retailers and retail chains alike, along with e-commerce and omni-channel solutions. Fulcrum Partner Lindsay Wilson said his firm will support the current management team in continuing to grow the business. NLS is the ninth platform investment of Fulcrum Capital Partners V, which raised $344 million in 2015.
3 min read · 25 June 2018
Canadian private equity firm Banyan Capital Partners has hired Michael Hendrie as a vice president. Hendrie has spent the last eight years working in mid-market private equity investment analysis and execution roles, including as a senior associate at Canadian family office Holcan Investments. Other recent additions to the team include David Beaumont and Lisa Sartor, both as senior analysts. Founded in 1998, Banyan is today an affiliate of Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group. The firm's seven portfolio companies include Rack Attack Products Ltd, acquired last September.
3 min read · 22 June 2018
European insurer Allianz has agreed to a joint venture with asset manager Greystar Real Estate Partners and Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) to develop U.K. student housing, Reuters reported. Allianz said the equity value of the deal was about US$465.05 million. The deal sees Allianz take a stake in London-focused Chapter alongside existing investors Greystar and PSP Investments. The company aims to double the size of its portfolio to 10,000 student beds within five years.
1 min read · 22 June 2018
IPL Plastics Inc, a Montréal-based packaging solutions provider, has finalized the pricing of its proposed initial public offering of common shares in Canada. The company plans to sell shares at $13.50 per unit, generating proceeds of $178.2 million or as much as $204.9 million if the issue's greenshoe option is exercised in full. The IPO is expected to close on June 28, when shares will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPLP. IPL Plastics has been backed by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Fonds de solidarité FTQ since 2015. As reported by PE Hub Canada earlier this month, CDPQ and the Fonds will continue to hold stakes with the IPO's close.
3 min read · 22 June 2018
Sky Aviation Leasing International LP has agreed to sell its Irish affiliate, Sky Aviation Leasing International Ltd (SALI) to Goshawk Aviation Ltd, a Dublin, Ireland-based aircraft leasing company owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd and NWS Holdings Ltd. The deal's financial terms were not released; however, SALI is valued at about US$3 billion. SKY Leasing, an aircraft leasing platform, was launched in 2015 with more than US$250 million in funding from Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) and U.S. private equity firm ATL Partners. PSP and ATL will continue to own the U.S.-based aircraft servicing operation.
4 min read · 22 June 2018
