Canada

Québec invests $20 mln in PE-backed Bloom Lake acquisition

The Québec government has confirmed a $20 million investment in the acquisition of Bloom Lake Mine and related assets by Champion Iron Ltd (TSX: CIA). Champion recently announced it closed a $30 million private placement financing, joined by U.S. private equity firms Wynnchurch Capital and Resource Capital Funds, to help fund the deal. Ressources Québec, a subsidiary of government-run Investissement Québec, is also in discussions concerning its provision of a $6 million loan.

Fonds de solidarité FTQ invests $3 mln in growth of Pixcom

The Fonds de solidarité FTQ has invested $3 million in Pixcom Group Inc, a Montréal-based company focused on the production of digital and television content, international distribution, corporate communications, dubbing and technical services. Pixcom, founded in 1987 by President Jacquelin Bouchard, will use the funds raised to expand. It will focus on new opportunities in Canada and the United States, said Janie Béïque, the Fonds' senior vice president of industries, entertainment and consumer goods.

KRG-backed Convergint acquires H&E Comfort Controls

Convergint Technologies LLC, a portfolio company of U.S. private equity firm KRG Capital Partners, has acquired H&E Comfort Controls Ltd, a Windsor, Ont.-based provider of building automation and security solutions. No financial terms were released. Convergint, a service-based integrator of building systems, said the acquisition expands its presence in Canada and gives it more access to key vertical markets. Schaumburg, Ill.-based Convergint received an investment from KRG in September 2012.

Fengate buys 25 pct equity stake in New Mexico wind project

Fengate Capital Management has bought a 25 percent equity interest in San Juan Mesa Wind Project LLC for an undisclosed amount. San Juan Mesa, held and operated by an affiliate of NRG Energy Inc, is the owner of a 120 megawatt, fully-contracted operating wind project located in New Mexico. The deal represents Fengate's first investment in the United States, and in a wind power project. Based in Toronto, Fengate is a real asset investment firm that specializes in funds focused on infrastructure, real estate and private equity.

Boulder Energy closes going private deal with ARC Financial

Calgary-based junior oil and gas producer Boulder Energy Ltd (TSX: BXO) has completed its going private transaction with Canadian energy private equity firm ARC Financial Corp. The previously announced deal, valued at about $268 million, including debt, was approved by Boulder Energy's shareholders earlier this week. ARC is investing in the company via ARC Energy Fund 8, which raised $1.5 billion in June 2015.

PE-backed Blue Star buys Pointstreak Sports Technologies

Blue Star Sports has acquired Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc, a Toronto-based sports technology solutions company, servicing customers in 23 countries. No financial terms were disclosed. Blue Star, a Frisco, Texas-based provider of youth sports team and league management software, said the deal enhances the company's suite of products and increases its global user base to 8 million. Blue Star this month received an investment from U.S. private equity firm Providence Equity Partners and Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. It said it is also backed by Bain Capital and other investors.

Wynnchurch, RCF invest in $30 mln financing of Champion Iron

Champion Iron Ltd (TSX: CIA) has closed a $30 million private placement financing. The investors included U.S. private equity firms Wynnchurch Capital and Resource Capital Funds, which contributed $10 million and $6.5 million, respectively. With the deal, Wynnchurch Operating Partner Michelle Cormier has joined the company's board. Champion Iron, which has offices in Montréal, Toronto and Australia, is a developer of iron ore deposits located in the Labrador Trough. It said the deal's proceeds would be used partly to fund the company's acquisition of the Bloom Lake Mine and related rail assets, as well as the Quinto Mining Corp mineral claims, in Québec.

Ironbridge Equity Partners makes investment in Thermogenics

Ironbridge Equity Partners said it last month invested in Thermogenics Inc, a maker of coil-tube steam and hot-water boilers, and related equipment used in industrial, commercial and institutional applications. No financial terms were released for the deal, which was done in partnership with the company's existing owners and management. Aurora, Ont.-based Thermogenics said it will use the partnership with Ironbridge to scale and grow the business. Thermogenics is the eighth investment of Ironbridge Equity Partners II, which raised $154 million in 2014. It follows the firm's investment in Back in Motion Rehab Inc in January.

Kimco buys Florida real estate assets from CPPIB for $299 mln

U.S. real estate investment trust Kimco Realty Corp (NYSE: KIM) has acquired from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board the remaining 45 percent interest in the Oakwood Plaza shopping centre and the Dania Pointe development project. The gross price paid was US$299.2 million, including the assumption of US$100 million of mortgage debt. Oakwood Plaza and Dania Pointe are adjacent properties located in Hollywood, Florida.

Pacific E&P shareholders seek to block Catalyst Capital deal: Reuters

A group of shareholders in Pacific Exploration & Production Corp has asked Colombia's markets regulator to block a possible buyout deal by Canadian private equity firm Catalyst Capital Group Inc, Reuters reported, citing a story by the Wall Street Journal. The shareholder group, led by O'Hara Administration Co, claim that the offer by Catalyst benefits Pacific's co-chairmen but leaves shareholders with nothing. Pacific is a Canadian explorer and producer of natural gas and crude oil in Latin America.