CapMan Growth appoints Timo Larjomaa as Senior Advisor

Capman

CapMan Growth appoints Timo Larjomaa as Senior Advisor

Timo Larjomaa has been appointed as Senior Advisor for the CapMan Growth team. Timo has long experience in international asset management from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), where he worked for many years, most recently as Managing Director, Head of Nordics. Timo currently works as a private investor and is a co-investor in CapMan Growth’s companies Silmäasema and Fennoa.

“Timo brings us valuable know-how related to international business, larger-scale business operations and especially software business and healthcare services. We have already had the pleasure of working with him on several joint projects,” says CapMan Growth’s Managing Partner Antti Kummu.

CapMan Growth is the leading Finnish growth investor making significant minority investments in entrepreneur-led growth companies with revenues ranging between €10–200 million. We offer entrepreneurs an alternative to selling the majority of their business by facilitating a partial exit while also supporting growth and internationalisation. We have been part of building companies such as Coronaria, Cloud2, Digital Workforce, Fennoa, Fluido, Neural DSP, Picosun, Sofigate, Silmäasema and Unikie.

For more information, please contact:

Antti Kummu, Managing Partner, CapMan Growth, +358 50 432 4486

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and 5.7 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

Categories: People

ArcLight and Elevate Announce New York City’s Largest Battery Storage Project To Date

Arclight

News provided by

ArcLight Capital Partners 

May 29, 2024, 09:00 ET


First of its Kind Project to Enable More Renewable Power and Enhanced Grid Reliability for New York

BOSTON and NEW YORKMay 29, 2024  /PRNewswire/ — ArcLight Capital Partners (“ArcLight”) and Elevate Renewables (“Elevate”), a leading battery storage developer, today announced a milestone battery storage infrastructure project at the Arthur Kill Power Station in Staten Island, NY. The 15 MW/60 MWh distribution-level project will help provide more renewable power by replacing existing generation planned to retire in 2025. Elevate is a wholly owned subsidiary of a fund managed by ArcLight.

Once completed, the project will be the largest battery storage installation in New York City. The facility will be able to power more than 10,000 households during peak demand periods.

 

Elevate Renewables has completed contracting to construct a state-of-the-art battery storage facility to store power during non-peak hours and discharge power during peak demand periods, as well as to provide ancillary services that help maintain grid stability and resiliency. This infrastructure will help support New York City’s electric grid and progress the clean energy transition.

“The Arthur Kill re-development project will install the latest energy storage technology on the site of a former power generation plant. This project is illustrative of Elevate’s battery expertise, significant development pipeline, and ability to help enable strategic battery storage infrastructure to help meet New York State’s energy storage target of 6 GWs by 2030,” said Eric Cherniss, Head of Development at Elevate Renewables. “It further demonstrates our ability to catalyze large-scale battery storage projects and help provide low-cost renewable power with increased grid reliability to consumers.”

“We believe battery storage infrastructure has the potential to be transformative and will be necessary to help meet the growing power needs from electrification and data centers, and is also a complement to the ongoing build-out of wind and solar renewable infrastructure,” said Dan Revers, Founder & Partner at ArcLight. “ArcLight is well positioned to capitalize on the renewable infrastructure mega trend. This project builds upon ArcLight’s extensive track record within the power and renewable infrastructure sectors over the past 20 years.”

“We are excited to advance this first-of-its-kind contracted infrastructure project that is one of many brownfield development opportunities we have within our funds’ power portfolio, which is one of the largest in the U.S.,” said Angelo Acconcia, Partner at ArcLight. “The Arthur Kill project, when commissioned, will be New York City’s largest battery storage system installed and the region’s first such existing power facility to be repurposed for battery storage. We believe there are many more of these types of opportunities that leverage ArcLight’s value add strategy, resources, and expertise across the electrification infrastructure value chain.”

About Elevate Renewables
Elevate Renewables is a utility scale battery storage company focused on strategically deploying battery infrastructure co-located with existing power infrastructure facilities. The Company has significant experience and resources to effectuate utility scale battery infrastructure with an extensive brownfield pipeline of over 4 GWs.  Elevate Renewables is active throughout the United States, where electrification and the rapid growth of intermittent renewables has created a need and advantage for renewable utility scale battery storage. For more information, please visit www.elevaterenewableenergy.com.

About ArcLight Capital Partners
Founded in 2001, ArcLight is a leading value-added infrastructure investment firm with strategic partnerships and investments across the power, renewables, strategic gas, battery storage, and transformative infrastructure sectors.  ArcLight has a long and proven track record of investing across the electrification infrastructure value chain to help support reliability, security, and sustainable infrastructure. ArcLight’s team employs an operationally intensive investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house strategic, technical, operational, and commercial specialists, as well as the firm’s ~1,900-person asset management partner. Since 2001, ArcLight’s funds have invested in infrastructure and related business with nearly $70 billion of total capitalization. For more information, please visit www.arclight.com.

SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners

Categories: News

Tags:

Ardian raises €530m for third-generation Growth platform

Ardian

his dynamic fundraising illustrates the renewed confidence of its investor base for the team’s entrepreneur-centric approach and deep sector expertise

This dynamic fundraising illustrates the renewed confidence of its investor base for the team’s entrepreneur-centric approach and deep sector expertise Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announced that it has raised €530m for its third-generation Growth platform, Ardian Growth Fund III. In a more challenging fundraising environment, the fund closed above the €500 million target size and more than doubled in size compared to the previous generation, which closed at €230 million in 2018.

The successful fundraise attracted investments from an increasingly diversified and global LP base, in addition to achieving a strong re-up rate from existing investors. Ardian Growth Fund III received commitments from investors across 12 countries, including from major banks and insurance companies, entrepreneurs, pension funds and government agencies. Near 120 LPs in the fund are entrepreneurs, showcasing the trust they have in the team and its ability to steer high-quality growth stories.

Building on the progress already made through previous fund generations, Ardian’s Growth team will continue to target profitable, fast-growing companies across continental Europe thanks to its unique sourcing capabilities. The fund strategy remains aligned with the team’s sector-focused approach, targeting digital at large (software, web and tech-enabled businesses,…), expert B2B services and health & wellness companies, particularly those benefiting from digital transformation and disrupting the traditional value chain in their sector.

“Our approach has always been about more than just funding; we are focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to accelerate their business growth, achieve their ambitions and expand their footprint internationally. The current market presents one of the most exciting opportunities of the last 20 years for growth investment, particularly given the scale and pace of digitalization, and our team of experts bring best-in-class expertise and deep sector knowledge to support management teams with their growth. We have already made three investments from the fund, and our unique sourcing capabilities will see us invest further to help transform more growing companies with the next phase of their journeys.” Alexis Saada, Head of Growth & Senior Managing Director, Ardian

The fund is already close to 25% deployed following three transactions in category leaders, including investments in Théradial, a dialysis solutions provider; My Pie, an innovative snacking concept; and Aprium Pharmacie, a pharmacy banner company.

The fund falls under the Article 8 of the European Union Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and integrates sustainability into its strategy to create long-term value shared across our stakeholders.

The Ardian Growth team has more than 20 years’ experience investing in the European growth market and now comprises 4 partners for a total of 14 investment professionals. The team now has €1 billion of assets under management and has supported more than 120 businesses since 1998.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $164bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,600 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian’s main shareholding group is its employees and we place great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 1,050+ employees, spread across 19 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.
At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

PRESS CONTACT

ARDIAN

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Exeter to Acquire Five-Million-Square-Foot Industrial Assemblage from Prologis

eqt
  • Acquisition reflects EQT Exeter’s conviction in the industrial sector and emphasis on investing behind high-quality assets across the globe
  • Assemblage is strategically located along key logistics routes in the major metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul
  • EQT Exeter will leverage its unique, vertically-integrated operating platform to upgrade, reposition and re-lease the Assemblage

EQT Exeter, a leading global real estate investment manager, today announced that the EQT Exeter Industrial Value Fund VI (“EQT Exeter”) has acquired 20 industrial properties (“the Assemblage”) strategically located in Minneapolis, MN, from Prologis, Inc. (“Prologis”), with plans to acquire an additional four properties by the final closing date.

The Assemblage consists of over five million square feet and features a mix of bulk, light industrial and last mile facilities with an average building size of more than 200,000 square feet. The properties are located across four prime Minneapolis logistics submarkets and offer proximate access to the I-494/I-694 beltway around the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area, serving as a key logistics route in the region. The properties also reflect in-demand building specifications and functional designs required by today’s modern, blue-chip tenants. The properties are 90% leased by 54 unique tenants, of which approximately 20% are existing tenants within EQT Exeter’s portfolio, demonstrating the depth of our global tenant client relationships.

“This transaction highlights our continued conviction in the industrial sector and reflects our keen asset selection and ability to swiftly execute on compelling small-, medium-, or large-scale opportunities in today’s market, while many of our peers stay on the sidelines,” said Matt Brodnik, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at EQT Exeter. “EQT Exeter is well-positioned to unlock the inherent value of these functional, well-located assets through our extensive network of ‘hyper-local’ real estate professionals that provide real estate solutions to over 1,200 corporate tenants globally. In opening our 28th U.S. office in Minneapolis, we plan to locally serve many of our existing tenants and leverage our in-house leasing and property management teams to upgrade, reposition and re-lease the Assemblage.”

With a population of over four million people, Minneapolis-St. Paul is the nation’s 16th-largest Metropolitan Statistical Area situated over 400 miles from the nearest major U.S. population center. Given its segregation from the national supply chain, Minneapolis-St. Paul is a market that rewards deep local presence and operations. The market’s sizeable end-user consumer base also attracts major corporate tenants that EQT Exeter serves on a global basis across its existing portfolio.

“Our strategy of engaging with the community, embodied in our ‘locals with locals’ approach, will not only help to better serve our new and existing tenant clients, but also create opportunities to add additional high-quality properties to our Minneapolis-St. Paul portfolio,” said Steve Stein, Managing Director at EQT Exeter. Minneapolis continues to experience positive market fundamentals driven by its declining new construction pipeline and positive net absorption figures, along with continued rent growth acceleration, which will benefit owners of existing, high-quality assets.

“We are pleased to add the Assemblage to our portfolio and plan to position these assets for long term success, particularly through strategic capital improvements and sustainability-focused upgrades like energy efficient LED lighting and select solar array installations,” said Stein.

The entire transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Josh McArtor and Caitlin Clinton of Eastdil Secured arranged the transaction with assistance from Michael Caprile and Jusdon Welliver of CBRE National Partners.

Contact

EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT Exeter

EQT Exeter is a global real estate investment manager with nearly $30 billion of equity under management. EQT Exeter acquires, develops, leases, and manages logistics/industrial, office, life science and residential properties in Europe, the Americas and Asia. With over 440 experienced professionals operating in more than 50 offices globally, EQT Exeter owns and operates over 2,000 properties and 375 million square feet. EQT Exeter’s track record comprises over $45 billion in total property gross asset value since inception, spanning over 450 million square feet globally. EQT Exeter is the real estate division of EQT AB, a purpose-driven global investment organization.

More info: https://eqtexeter.com/

Follow EQT Exter on LinkedIn

Categories: News

Tags:

BC Partners’ and Mount Logan Capital’s Opportunistic Credit Interval Fund passes over $100m AUM

  • Opportunistic Credit Interval Fund (“SOFIX”) hits $100m milestone in April 2024 ahead of 2nd anniversary
  • Fund has raised c.$30m since April alone, with SOFIX’s AUM reaching approximately $130m as of May 24th, 2024
  • Fund targets attractive risk-adjusted returns via Private Lending & Structured Equity, Specialty Lending, and Dislocated Liquid Credit investments
  • The fund focuses on the significant opportunity in the middle market for small and medium businesses, which are turning to non-traditional platforms as bank lending remains muted

BC Partners and Mount Logan Capital, today announced their Opportunistic Credit Interval Fund (“SOFIX” or “The Fund”) hit $100m in assets under management in April, underlining significant investor appetite and conviction in the Fund’s strong track record. Since reaching this important milestone, fund raising has accelerated and SOFIX’s AUM now stands at approximately $130m as of May 24th, 2024.

SOFIX, an all-weather total return strategy, has seen returns of 36.99% since inception with an annualized distribution of 12% as of March 31, 2024. The fund works to target private originations and secondary investments through three approaches: Private Lending & Structured Equity, Specialty Lending, and Dislocated Liquid Credit. SOFIX focuses on a broad sector allocation under these strategies, allowing for a diversified risk profile, with target sectors including financial services, industrials, technology, healthcare and consumer discretionary, among others.

Ted Goldthorpe, Partner and Head of Credit at BC Partners said: “The success of the Fund in drawing $130m in assets under management underlines the strength of our offering and track-record since inception, and builds off the successful opportunistic credit platform we’ve managed for institutional investors since 2017.”

Matthias Ederer, Partner at BC Partners and SOFIX Portfolio Manager added: “We believe the Fund’s flexible mandate and focus on the middle market are key differentiators, especially as large bank lending remains muted and regional banks move away from credit provisions. SOFIX is therefore able to capitalize on opportunities in higher yielding assets with strong downside protection across its target sectors as SMEs turn to non-traditional platforms for capital. Ultimately, we see significant opportunities through this Fund to deliver on investor interest in sourcing all-weather, targeted opportunities across the US and European middle markets.”

The successful raise follows BC Partners’ $400m investment in Riddell, announced in April 2024, with the firm providing a convertible preferred equity and debt commitment to the group to fund future growth and deliver returns to investors. SOFIX invested in both instruments.

The Fund remains open and is available for purchase on Schwab, Fidelity, Pershing, and other custodial platforms. BC Partners’ SOFIX is advised by Mount Logan Management, LLC.

– ENDS –

About BC Partners BC Partners is a leading international investment firm in private equity, private credit and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role in developing the European buyout market for three decades. Today, BC Partners executives operate across markets as an integrated team through the firm’s offices in North America and Europe. BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017 and has pursued a strategy focused on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment and across sectors, leveraging the deal sourcing and infrastructure made available from BC Partners. For further information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/

About Mount Logan Capital Inc. Mount Logan Capital Inc. is an alternative asset management and insurance solutions company that is focused on public and private debt securities in the North American market and the reinsurance of annuity products, primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Mount Logan Management LLC (“ML Management”) and Ability Insurance Company (“Ability”), respectively. The Company also actively sources, evaluates, underwrites, manages, monitors and primarily invests in loans, debt securities, and other credit-oriented instruments that present attractive risk-adjusted returns and present low risk of principal impairment through the credit cycle. Ability is a Nebraska domiciled insurer and reinsurer of long-term care policies acquired by Mount Logan in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. Ability is unique in the insurance industry in that its long-term care portfolio’s morbidity risk has been largely re-insured to third parties, and Ability is no longer insuring or re-insuring new long-term care risk.

Categories: News

Tags:

Labrador Island Link Welcomes New Investor

KKR

KKR to acquire Emera’s equity interest in critical clean energy transmission project

This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of Emera’s prospectus supplement dated November 14, 2023 to its short form base shelf prospectus dated October 3, 2023.

  • Transaction value of $1.19 billion CAD.
  • Proceeds from the transaction will be used to reduce Emera’s corporate debt and support its investment opportunities in its regulated utility businesses.
  • KKR has a history of successful long-term investments in similar scale infrastructure projects.
  • Transaction is expected to close on or about June 4, 2024.

NEW YORK & HALIFAX, Nova Scotia & ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Emera Inc. (Emera), an international energy and services company, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, announced they have entered into a definitive agreement where KKR will acquire Emera’s indirect minority equity interest in the Labrador Island Link (LIL). The transaction value is $1.19 billion CAD, made up of $957 million CAD in cash and $235 million CAD for assuming Emera’s obligation to fund the remaining initial capital investment.

As part of its overall commitment to the Lower Churchill Project, Emera has been an equity investor in the construction of the LIL alongside Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (NL Hydro), which owns and operates the LIL. The transaction announced today provides for a one-time, up-front payment at closing in exchange for Emera’s indirect interest in the LIL, meaning KKR will receive quarterly distribution payments over the remaining life of the 50-year LIL contract and allow Emera to reduce corporate debt and fund its investments in its regulated utility businesses. Emera will remain actively engaged in the LIL partnership, along with NL Hydro, by continuing to provide sustaining capital investments to support ongoing operations. This transaction has no impact on Emera’s ownership of the Maritime Link transmission line and no impact on Nova Scotia Power, or its customers.

“This agreement is an important step in strengthening our company and positioning us to continue to capitalize on the growth opportunities in front of us, said Scott Balfour, Emera Inc. CEO. “With this transaction, we look forward to a new relationship with KKR while remaining committed to our partnership with NL Hydro.”

“KKR has a long history of investing in stable, reliable and essential transmission assets like the Labrador Island Link, and we look forward to beginning this long-term strategic partnership with Emera and NL Hydro to deliver clean energy across the region,” said Brandon Freiman, KKR Partner and Head of North American Infrastructure. “We’re pleased to be part of the future success of the Labrador Island Link.”

“The LIL is a strategic asset for Newfoundland and Labrador as it continues down the path of building its clean energy future,” said Jennifer Williams, CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. “This new arrangement is evidence of the quality of the LIL and the critical role that it plays to harness clean, renewable energy and deliver it to our customers here in Newfoundland and Labrador across the region and beyond.”

The LIL is a 1,100 km high voltage transmission line that delivers renewable energy to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and beyond, helping meet the growing demand for clean energy across the region. Officially commissioned in 2023, the LIL is a vital transmission line of strategic importance to Atlantic Canada and has helped strengthen the Newfoundland and Labrador power grid.

The Lower Churchill Project is helping enhance energy infrastructure and facilitate clean energy delivery between the provinces and is essential in supporting the energy transition in Atlantic Canada. The Project also includes the Maritime Link, an Emera-owned transmission line that delivers renewable energy from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia.

KKR’s interest in the LIL reinforces the importance of clean energy infrastructure to serve Atlantic Canada and markets beyond. KKR has significant experience investing in infrastructure globally and has stable, ongoing access to capital, which affords the firm the ability to take a long-term “buy and hold” view. KKR is making this investment through capital accounts advised by KKR.

The transaction is expected to close on or about June 4, 2024.

TD Securities is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Emera in connection with the transaction. Scotiabank is acting as exclusive financial advisor to KKR.

About Emera

Emera is a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with approximately $39 billion in assets and 2023 revenues of $7.6 billion. The company primarily invests in regulated electricity generation and electricity and gas transmission and distribution, with a strategic focus on transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera has investments in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

About NL Hydro

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (NL Hydro) is a provincial crown utility—providing safe, cost-conscious, reliable electricity while harnessing sustainable energy opportunities to benefit the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. NL Hydro manages Newfoundland and Labrador’s electricity system, generating and transmitting the vast majority of electricity used by people in the province every day. For more than 50 years, Hydro has been there for families, friends, and neighbours across the province–and beyond. For more information, visit nlhydro.com.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward‐looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements concerning the acquisition of Emera’s indirect interest in the LIL by KKR, Emera’s future financial performance, the service life of the LIL, Emera’s engagement in the LIL, including future sustaining capital investments, and market conditions and demand for clean energy in Atlantic Canada in the future. Undue reliance should not be placed on this forward-looking information, which applies only as of the date hereof. By its nature, forward‐looking information requires Emera to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements reflect Emera management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to Emera management. There is a risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions and projections that constitute forward‐looking information will not prove to be accurate, that Emera’s assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward‐looking information. Additional detailed information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is included in Emera’s securities regulatory filings, including under the heading “Business Risks and Risk Management” in Emera’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and under the heading “Principal Risks and Uncertainties” in the notes to Emera’s annual and interim financial statements, which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Contacts

Emera Media Contact
Dina Bartolacci Seely
media@emera.com

KKR Media Contact
Liidia Liuksila
media@kkr.com
(212) 750-8300

NLH Media Contact
Jill Pitcher
JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

 

Categories: News

Tags:

Platinum Equity Portfolio Company HC Companies Acquires Classic Home & Garden

Platinum

Complementary acquisition brings together leaders in functional pots and decorative containers to create “one stop shop” for horticulture growers, retailers and distributors

LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2024  – The HC Companies, a leading North American manufacturer of horticultural containers, announced today the acquisition of Classic Home & Garden (CHG), a premier provider of decorative and functional products for the lawn and garden market in North America. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Shelton, CT, CHG designs, sources and sells decorative garden pots and an array of backyard décor products. In recent years CHG has introduced new product lines focused on water conservation, eco-friendly products and packaging, and optimized transport.

The HC Companies CEO Bob Mayer said CHG’s strength in decorative containers fits seamlessly with HC’s focus on functional grower products.

“This is a strategic and highly complementary combination of two companies that each have their own distinct value propositions,” said Mayer. “There is little overlap between the two and joining forces will create new opportunities for both businesses through cross-selling, production and distribution efficiencies, customer acquisition, channel penetration and product innovation. We are creating a ‘one stop shop’ that can simplify the value chain and streamline procurement and retail merchandising for our partners. We believe that is great news for growers, retailers, distributors and employees alike.”

CHG owner and CEO Fred Ryan will remain a significant investor in the combined business and will serve as President.

“I’m proud of the CHG team and the contributions they have made to the success of our business over the years,” Ryan said. “Our growth has been driven by a culture of innovation, design and unwavering commitment to quality and customer service. Those core values will continue to guide us as we step onto a larger stage with greater opportunity to expand our reach and our impact.”

Platinum Equity acquired HC in 2023 and the investment is led by the firm’s Small Cap team.

“When we acquired HC Companies we set out to create a best-in-class, diversified player of scale within the broader horticultural market,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei and Managing Director Nick Fries in a joint statement. “HC’s transformational acquisition of CHG is an exciting and important step in that process. We will continue to work with Bob and Fred to evaluate additional strategic M&A opportunities across the lawn and garden market.”

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal counsel and Alston & Bird LLP served as financing counsel to HC Companies on the CHG acquisition. Stout served as financial advisor to HC Companies.

Berkowitz, Trager & Trager, LLC and Locke Lord LLP served as legal counsels to CHG. Piper Sandler Companies served as CHG’s sell-side financial advisor.

About The HC Companies, Inc.
The HC Companies is a proud culmination of many legacy brands and continues to transform the horticultural industry through bold leadership, innovative manufacturing, and a comprehensive portfolio of products ideal for greenhouse, nursery, retail, and commercial markets. Headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, with production and distribution facilities throughout North America, HC manufactures growing solutions using the latest technologies and materials to satisfy the challenges of a continuously evolving industry. In addition to their horticultural containers, HC also supports a full line of sustainably sourced solutions including protective packaging, consumer products, growing containers, and more. For information on The HC Companies, visit hc-companies.com (growing containers) or hc-sustainable.com (sustainable products).

About Classic Home & Garden
Classic Home & Garden (CHG) is a leading provider of decorative planters and pots to national retailers, distributors, florists and garden centers across North America. Headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, CHG’s entrepreneurial and talented team continuously innovates and challenges the status quo to provide exceptional products and service to customers. CHG supports a comprehensive line of planters in a variety of materials, along with a wide assortment of garden décor to create inspiring and impactful indoor and outdoor living spaces. Through strong relationships with breeders and growers, CHG has cultivated a deep market expertise to develop more functional, aesthetically pleasing products that better match consumer needs. For more information on CHG, visit classichomeandgarden.com.

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 28 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions.

Categories: News

Tags:

Mentha launches first impact Buy-Out Fund in the Benelux

Mentha

Mentha announces the launch of the Mentha Impact Fund I. This is the first buy-out fund in the Benelux solely focused on investments in companies that contribute to achieving climate and environmental goals.

The new fund will invest in themes such as resource efficiency, sustainable production and process technology, and energy transition. It targets SMEs with revenues between EUR 5 and 100 million. The team aims for significant and measurable results in climate and environmental impact combined with financial returns. In addition to financing buy-outs, the fund can also provide growth capital.

Mentha Impact Fund I will have a size of EUR 140 million and operates alongside Mentha’s existing buy-out funds. The capital is raised from private and institutional investors.

“Mentha Impact Fund I is a natural step in the development of Mentha. For years, we have been improving the sustainability of our companies, focusing not only on achieving returns but also on considering people and the planet,” said Edo Pfennings, co-founder of Mentha and partner of Mentha Impact. “We want to use our decades of experience to help accelerate and expand companies that have a positive impact on climate and the environment.”

The Mentha Impact team consists of experienced investment professionals. The team is intrinsically motivated to use private equity to accelerate the growth of ‘green’ companies and to support companies with a ‘brown’ business model in their transition to become more sustainable. The team will actively collaborate with portfolio companies to achieve ‘transformative’ growth and thus maximize positive impact.

Categories: News

Polaris sells RelyOn Nutec to Mubadala Capital

Polaris

Polaris has entered into an agreement to divest global safety training and competence provider RelyOn Nutec to Mubadala Capital, the wholly-owned asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company.

Polaris partnered with RelyOn Nutec (formerly Falck Safety Services) in 2018 and has since undergone significant transformation. Today, RelyOn Nutec serves a variety of customers across a range of high consequence industries including energy infrastructure, renewables, maritime and oil and gas.

”RelyOn Nutec steered safely through the challenging COVID-19 times and has emerged as a global front-runner in the safety and competence training across high consequence industries. We have enjoyed the partnership with the management team, and we are very pleased with the strong performance and the great growth prospects for RelyOn Nutec under Mubadala Capital’s ownership,” says Henrik Bonnerup, Partner, Polaris.

Please see the following press release:

English

Danish

For more information, please contact:

Henrik Bonnerup, Partner
Phone: +45 21 66 87 66
Mail: hb@polarisequity.dk

Simon Damkjær Wille, Partner
Phone: +45 42 20 96 39
Mail: sw@polarisequity.dk

Categories: News

Tags:

Capital Group And KKR Form Exclusive Strategic Partnership To Create Public-Private Investment Solutions

KKR

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORKMay 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global investment firms, Capital Group and KKR, today announced an exclusive, strategic partnership to bring new ways for investors to incorporate alternative investments into their portfolios. Capital Group and KKR intend to make hybrid public-private markets investment solutions available to investors across multiple asset classes, geographies and channels. The first two strategies will be public-private fixed income offerings designed for financial professionals and their clients, which are expected to launch in the U.S. in 2025.

“Capital Group sees a real opportunity to deliver hybrid public-private market solutions for our clients,” noted Capital Group President and CEO Mike Gitlin. “For over 90 years, we have been committed to delivering a strong long-term track record of excess returns for clients, overseeing $2.6 trillion of which $500 billion is in public fixed income. KKR is a leading and respected alternative asset manager with over $500 billion in assets, with a proven track record managing over $200 billion in credit. We believe combining our respective areas of expertise in strategies that are more liquid than standalone private credit can help our clients achieve their goals.”

While alternatives have been available to high-net-worth individuals and accredited investors for some time, mass affluent investors, which represent more than 40% of the wealth market globally, have not historically had access to the asset class.1 This combination of Capital Group and KKR opens the door for more financial professionals and their clients to access alternative investments as part of their portfolios.

Gitlin continued, “We will bring the strategies of a premium alternatives manager to our clients with a compelling fee and greater accessibility. Clients should think of this as ‘the best of both worlds’ – a hybrid investment solution that combines Capital’s active management and long-term investment approach with KKR’s private market expertise. We are entering this market, in strategic partnership with KKR, with long-term plans and aspirations. Listening to our clients’ needs, we are confident that this will be the seed of a new platform, not just a product launch.”

Global assets in alternatives have grown significantly over the last 20 years and it is estimated that individual wealth invested in alternatives is expected to grow 12% annually over the next decade.2

“Capital Group and KKR have highly complementary capabilities and similar cultures and together we are committed to delivering for clients,” said Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR. “We believe individuals should have access to alternative investments and are thrilled to be partnering with Capital Group, which has world-class investment capabilities, strong client relationships and a leading sales and distribution network. We look forward to bringing these solutions to market and expanding our strategic partnership into additional asset classes and channels.”

“We see interest in alternatives only continuing to grow over the next decade as wealth investors gain access to high quality investment solutions,” said Eric Mogelof, Partner and Head of Global Client Solutions at KKR. “We are pleased with the momentum and growth that we’ve seen in our private wealth business and believe these new hybrid solutions will be a strong complement to our existing platform and offer a compelling way to bring the benefits of alternatives to an even wider audience of investors across wealth and retirement who may not have had access to them historically.”

Matt O’Connor, President of Capital Group’s Client Group stated, “The investable universe has expanded. We are committed to creating a meaningful public-private category for the benefit of our clients over the long term. Financial professionals tell us that we can add more value by bringing a fuller set of solutions to their clients’ portfolios and are looking to us to be their partner.”

Gitlin continued, “Some of our clients want us to bring them a full investment solution including alternatives. Capital has been researching the broad alternatives market for the past two years and considered whether to buy, build or partner. Buying would disrupt our culture, building could distract our investment professionals, so partnering with a subject-matter expert to deliver a holistic investment solution for our clients was the best course of action. For many investors, private credit can be out of reach. The lens we used was a simple one – how can we help clients while staying true to our culture and maintaining our focus on what we do best.”

Solution details will be announced later this year.

About Capital Group

Capital Group has been singularly focused on delivering superior investment results for long-term investors using high-conviction portfolios, rigorous research, and individual accountability since 1931.
As of March 30, 2024, Capital Group manages more than $2.6 trillion in equity and fixed income assets for millions of individuals around the world. Capital Group manages equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups.

For more information, visit https://www.capitalgroup.com/about-us.html.html.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at https://kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at https://www.globalatlantic.com/.

Past results are not a guarantee of future results. This content is published by American Funds Distributors, Inc., which will be renamed Capital Client Group, Inc. on or around July 1, 2024, and copyrighted to Capital Group and affiliates, 2024, all rights reserved.

For more information, including our detailed disclosures, visit www.capitalgroup.com/global-disclosures.

1 PWC Asset and wealth management revolution 2023: The new context
2 Bain & Co 2023 Global Private Equity

Media Contacts:
Hannah Coan
hannah.coan@capgroup.com

Kristi Huller
kristi.huller@kkr.com

SOURCE Capital Group Companies

 

Categories: News

Tags: