Ardian closes its second-generation Americas Infrastructure fund at US$2.1bn

Ardian

Latest fund demonstrates Ardian’s leadership in the infrastructure investment mid-market segment in America.

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announced the final closing of US$2.1bn for its latest Americas infrastructure fund – Ardian Americas Infrastructure Fund V (AAIF V). Continuing its successful investment strategy, AAIF V will invest in high-quality, mid-market US and other OECD American essential infrastructure assets in the telecommunications, transportation, and energy transition sectors.

The Ardian Infrastructure team now has over US$21bn assets under management across the globe. AAIF V was significantly oversubscribed, exceeding its hard cap of US$2.0bn, and significantly larger than the inaugural AAIF IV which raised US$800mm in 2018.

The successful fundraise attracted over 60 investors from 17 countries across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia, comprising major pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, Fund of Funds, endowments and high-net-worth investors. With a mix of returning investors, who on average doubled their previous commitments to the strategy, and new investors, the successful fundraising of AAIF V demonstrates the growing appetite for Ardian’s Americas infrastructure and asset management strategies.

“We are thankful for the support of our new and existing investors.  The success of our latest fundraise clearly demonstrates their continued trust in our approach. We will continue to prioritize long-term value creation through our disciplined industrial approach.” Mathias Burghardt, Member of the Executive Committee and Head of Ardian Infrastructure

“Closing a fund that is more than 2.5 times larger than its predecessor is an important achievement for the team and validation of our investment strategy in the Americas. The amount recommitted by our existing investors is further testament to the strong performance of the previous generation.” Stefano Mion, Co-Head of Ardian Infrastructure Americas

“The market opportunity for high-quality, mid-market infrastructure assets is compelling, and even more so with the powerful tailwinds from the Inflation Reduction Act. Our ability to leverage Ardian’s strong proprietary deal flow along with our industrial approach positions us exceptionally well in the current environment.” Mark Voccola, Co-Head of Ardian Infrastructure Americas

Since Ardian launched its dedicated Americas infrastructure fund in 2018, the team has deployed more than US$1bn in six investments across the energy, renewables and transportation sectors. It also grew the headcount of Ardian Americas infrastructure investment team to 13 over the past four years.
The team will continue to leverage its international network of industrial partners, construction companies and infrastructure operators, while continuing its successful approach of developing long-term relationships with local stakeholders, communities and regulators.

The fund is already over 15% committed via an infrastructure transaction acquiring Unison, a leading buyer and manager of telecom site properties in the U.S., to build a global platform of wireless infrastructure assets.

Ardian is an international leader in essential infrastructures. The Infrastructure team, which comprises more than 60 investment professionals worldwide including financial experts, operational engineers and data scientists, manages more than US$20bn. Ardian Infrastructure believes that bringing technological innovation is a key element of value creation through the increase of the assets operational efficiency. Ardian is also a pioneering manager in decarbonizing infrastructure assets in line with global climate change agreements. As part of its commitment, Ardian is developing a major renewable energy portfolio and introducing energy efficiency policies across all of its portfolio companies.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world leading private investment house, managing or advising $141bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,300 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. We also provide a specialist service for private clients through Ardian Private Wealth Solutions. Ardian is majority-owned by its employees and places great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 900+ employees, spread across 15 offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia, 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.

Media Contacts

ARDIAN US

THE NEIBART GROUP

ardian@neibartgroup.com

 

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Ste. Michelle Wine Estates acquires A to Z Wineworks

Sycamore

WOODINVILLE, Wash. (September 7, 2022) – Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (“Ste. Michelle”) has acquired A to Z Wineworks (“A to Z”), a top-selling winery in Oregon. This is the first strategic acquisition for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates under the ownership of private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

Together with Ste. Michelle’s Erath Winery, the addition of the A to Z and REX HILL brands gives Ste. Michelle a substantial presence in Oregon and the combined business will be a leading producer of the state’s signature variety, Pinot Noir.

“We are delighted to welcome A to Z to the Ste. Michelle family,” said David Dearie, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “Erath and A to Z share the same passion for producing high quality wines at fair prices, making A to Z a natural fit for Ste. Michelle. The future of Pacific Northwest wines – both Oregon and Washington – is bright and we’re excited to introduce new consumers across the country and around the world to the full complement of our region’s outstanding wines.”

Amy Prosenjak, President and CEO of A to Z, will join Ste. Michelle as President of Oregon Brands, overseeing the company’s combined operations in the state.

“I’ve long admired Ste. Michelle’s leadership in the Pacific Northwest and their decades-long commitment to promoting the region’s wines,” said Ms. Prosenjak. “Bill Hatcher, who is retiring as Chairman of the Board for A to Z, gave me the great gift of mentorship over the years. With such deep roots, I look forward to joining David and the Ste. Michelle Senior Leadership Team and together raising the bar even higher for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.”

In addition to Ms. Prosenjak, A to Z Founding Partners Deb Hatcher, Cheryl Francis, and Sam Tannahill will join Ste. Michelle as consultants. A to Z’s Founding Partners started the company 20 years ago and have worked tirelessly to create the highest quality wine for the greatest sustainable value, a goal that remains the company’s guiding principle. In addition to developing into one of Oregon’s most iconic wineries, A to Z became a certified B Corp in 2014 in recognition of its positive environmental practices.

“We could not have found a better partner than Ste. Michelle to carry on the legacy of both A to Z and REX HILL,” said Ms. Hatcher. “They understand the Pacific Northwest better than anyone, and they know what it takes to promote an entire region on the global stage.”

“Ste. Michelle understands quality and production for both small and large wineries,” said Francis. “We are excited to work with Ste. Michelle to further Oregon’s hard-earned reputation for producing world-class wines.”

Added Tannahill, “Ste. Michelle has always taken a long-term view regarding grape-growing and winemaking, including their commitment to sustainability and their support for viticulture and enology research.”

BNP Paribas Securities Corp served as financial advisor to A to Z. Bank of the West is continuing as the lender to both Ste. Michelle and A to Z. Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal counsel for Ste. Michelle and Tonkon Torp supported A to Z.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the largest winery in the Pacific Northwest and among the largest premium wineries in the United States. With a distinguished history that dates to 1934, the winery now farms more than 30,000 acres across Washington, Oregon, and California and distributes its wines in over 100 countries. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates pioneered vinifera winegrowing in Washington and remains the driving force behind viticulture and enology research in the state, including the establishment of the Washington State University viticulture and enology program and the construction of the university’s research and teaching winery, now named the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center.

Ste. Michelle traces its roots to shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, through the founding of The Pommerelle Company and the National Wine Company (NAWICO) in 1934 and 1935, respectively. Pommerelle and NAWICO merged in 1954 and became American Wine Growers. American Wine Growers first produced wines under the Ste. Michelle Vineyards label in 1967. Ste. Michelle first entered Oregon with the purchase of Erath in 2006.The Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Erath, A to Z, H3, Liquid Light, Intrinsic, REX HILL, Spring Valley Vineyard, Patz & Hall, and Northstar, along with several other premium brands. The winery also has partnerships with Marchesi Antinori (Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Col Solare), Ernst Loosen (Eroica), and Michel Gassier (Tenet). Ste. Michelle Wine Estates serves as the exclusive U.S. importer for Marchesi Antinori and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte. For more information, please visit www.smwe.com.

About A to Z Wineworks

A to Z Wineworks captures “The Essence of Oregon” by carefully blending wines true to their variety exclusively sourced from vineyards strung through Oregon’s remarkable Western valleys. The company sets the standard for cool climate, food-friendly Oregon Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. A to Z Wineworks is Oregon’s top-selling brand known for dependable, affordable quality. For more information visit www.atozwineworks.com.

About Sycamore Partners

Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm based in New York. The firm specializes in retail, consumer, and distribution-related investments and partners with management teams to improve the operating profitability and strategic value of their business. With approximately $10 billion in aggregate committed capital raised since its inception in 2011, Sycamore Partners’ investors include leading endowments, financial institutions, family offices, pension plans and sovereign wealth funds. For more information on Sycamore Partners, visit www.sycamorepartners.com.

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Applied Adhesives Acquires In-Line Finishing Solutions, LLC

Arsenal Capital Partners

Minnetonka, MN– APPLIED Adhesives, a premier adhesive solutions provider in North America, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of In-Line Finishing Solutions, LLC, a specialty adhesive and coating solutions provider to the Direct Mail (DM) and Label Converting markets located in Chicago, IL. This acquisition strengthens APPLIED’s commitment to providing industry-leading solutions, technical expertise, and outstanding service to its customers.

“In-Line Finishing Systems’ core values align with APPLIED’s commitment to developing customized, high-quality, innovative adhesive solutions that help our customers achieve their business goals, “said John Feriancek, President and CEO of Applied Adhesives. “We are pleased to welcome the In-Line team to APPLIED and look forward to providing outstanding service to their customers.”

“Since its inception, in 2006, In-Line Finishing Solutions has been a technical specialist for the Direct Mail and Label Converting marketplaces. We are thrilled about what this acquisition means to our loyal customer base and prospects for future synergies and growth,” said Scott Goldstein, owner of In-Line Finishing Systems, LLC. “Not only will our customers continue to enjoy the same business philosophy of relentless service and a commitment to providing industry-leading products, but they will now have increased purchasing scale. Our sales and support team members look forward to continuing to serve our customers under APPLIED.”

About APPLIED Adhesives
APPLIED Adhesives, founded in 1971, is a premier custom adhesive solutions provider in North America. The company is a value-added distributor of hot melt, water-based, and reactive adhesives as well as dispensing equipment. APPLIED Adhesives serves as a critical supply chain partner to leading adhesive manufacturers and formulators by offering reach and high service levels to an expansive customer base. For more information, please visit appliedadhesives.com.

About In-Line Finishing Systems, LLC
Located in Chicago, IL, In-Line Finishing Systems, LLC is a specialty adhesive and coating distributor with over 16 years of providing innovative solutions to the Direct Mail (DM) and Label Converting markets in North America. Its customer-centric market approach is to provide product innovation, fast turnaround time on orders, and consolidated inventory supply.

APPLIED Adhesives Media Contact:
David Posadas
Vice President of Marketing
dposadas@appliedproducts.com

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Oakley invests in global legal information platform vLex

Oakley

Oakley Capital (“Oakley”), the pan-European private equity investor, is pleased to announce that Oakley Capital Origin Fund is partnering with the founders of vLex, a cloud-based legal information subscription platform.

 

Founded by brothers Lluis and Angel Faus and headquartered in London, Miami and Barcelona, vLex provides over two million users with access to an online library of global legal and regulatory information including case law, legislation, journals and dockets from over 100 countries. vLex’s scalable and smart data ingestion process, coupled with AI-powered search engine functionality makes research and analysis faster and easier, increasing productivity for users. The Company’s diverse customer base includes law firms, universities and law schools, government agencies and corporates across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

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Cloud-based, online subscription platform offering easy access to global legal & regulatory information

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Clients include law firms, universities, corporations and government agencies

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Digitisation and increasing legal and regulatory complexity driving growth in $21bln global LegalTech market

Quote Peter Dubens

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Oakley Capital agrees follow-on investment in Facile

Oakley

Oakley Capital (“Oakley”) is pleased to announce that Oakley Capital Fund V (“Fund V”) is investing in Facile.it (“Facile”), Italy’s largest online price comparison platform.

Following the sale of Oakley Capital Fund III’s (“Fund III”) investment in Facile, Fund V will acquire a minority stake in the business alongside Silver Lake. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, Facile first pioneered online motor insurance brokerage, for which it is the clear market leader in Italy today. Over time, Facile successfully diversified its offering by adding new product lines including gas & power, broadband, mortgages, consumer loans and, more recently, a new car sales marketplace platform.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, Facile first pioneered online motor insurance brokerage, for which it is the clear market leader in Italy today.

Facile

Silver Lake

The fresh investment from Fund V and Silver Lake will reinforce Facile’s position as the clear leader in the Italian Online Price Comparison market, whilst continuing to invest in and broaden Facile’s product range. This will help to accelerate the company’s strong growth trajectory across its core verticals, its recently launched growth verticals as well as future potential new product launches to strengthen the value proposition to both Italian consumers and partners.

In partnership with Silver Lake, Oakley will leverage its successful track record in the digital consumer space to support Facile’s management team and fulfil its strong growth potential.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

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Cinven to acquire Säkra

Cinven

International private equity firm, Cinven, announces that it has reached an agreement to acquire Säkra, a leading insurance broker headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Financial details of the transaction are not disclosed. The acquisition of Säkra marks the fourth investment from Cinven’s inaugural Strategic Financials Fund (‘SFF’), which held its final closing in July 2022 with total capital committed of €1.5 billion.

Founded in 1990, Säkra is one of Sweden’s largest insurance intermediaries, providing life and non-life insurance products, as well as pension and wealth management services, to more than 35,000 SME clients and more than 115,000 individual customers. Säkra has more than 60 offices across Sweden and employs approximately 350 people.

Cinven believes Säkra is an attractive investment opportunity for the SFF based on:

  • The company’s high-quality, cash generative business model and attractive, recurring revenue base;
  • Säkra’s strong position in the insurance markets it serves, with strong brand equity and a long-standing client base;
  • Its proven track record of steady and consistent growth, delivering robust performance through the COVID-19 pandemic and prior economic downturns;
  • The opportunity to accelerate the company’s long-term growth profile through a combination of organic growth and incremental bolt-on M&A;
  • The resilient growth prospects of the underlying insurance market through economic cycles; and
  • Säkra’s strong management team, led by CEO, Eva Pantzar Waage, and deep bench of talent, with significant expertise across its specialist areas.

Luigi Sbrozzi, Partner and co-head of the SFF, said:

“Cinven is very pleased to be making this investment in Säkra. It is a highly attractive, resilient specialist insurance intermediary business with strong long-term growth opportunities across all of its segments and a history of consistent growth through various economic cycles. The investment is supported by a resilient underlying market in Sweden and is well-positioned to grow organically, with further upside through its demonstrated M&A trajectory. Säkra offers a high-quality scalable platform, with associated benefits for clients as the business develops and expands over the long-term. We look forward to working with Säkra’s CEO and her colleagues in further developing and growing the business.”

Eva Pantzar Waage, President and CEO at Säkra, added:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Cinven to deliver the next phase of Säkra’s growth. Säkra is a firm with a strong reputation, skilled employees and significant future growth opportunities, with scope to build on the company’s existing strengths through incremental, targeted strategic investments. Cinven’s skills and expertise, including its knowledge of the sector and proven track record of investing in established European financial services businesses, will help accelerate Säkra’s growth going forward.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and antitrust approvals.

The SFF builds on Cinven’s leading financial services investment platform in Europe with an investment strategy focused on areas where Cinven has developed significant investment expertise, such as life and non-life insurance and reinsurance, asset-backed speciality finance, wealth management, insurance distributors and other ‘capital light’ tech-enabled financial service providers.

To date, the SFF has invested in Miller (investment completed in March 2021), a leading specialist insurance and (re)insurance broker, acquired in partnership with GIC; Compre (April 2021), a specialist global consolidator of closed books of non-life insurance policies, acquired in partnership with British Columbia Investment Management Corporation; and International Financial Group Limited (investment agreed in 2022, with completion pending customary regulatory and antitrust approvals), a leading life insurance provider of cross-border, long-term savings products for internationally mobile clients.

Cinven Funds’ previous investments in the European insurance sector include Guardian Financial Services in the UK and Viridium in Germany. Other UK-headquartered financial services investments by the Cinven Funds include Partnership Assurance, NewDay and Premium Credit.

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Ardian takes a majority stake in the Pointe Amont de l’Île Seguin project alongside Emerige and AOG

Ardian

This exceptionally designed mixed-use development will house an arts and culture center, hotel, cinema shopping and office space.

Ardian, one of the world’s leading private equity houses, acquired a 70% stake in the 53,000sqm Pointe Amont de l’Île Seguin project, located on the Seine in Boulogne-Billancourt, in close vicinity to Paris. This is one of Ardian’s largest property investments to date.
The project will be co-developed with Emerige, a developer committed to urban transformation, and AOG, a private investment company. The large-scale development will create a fully integrated, mixed-use environment in the heart of the Vallée de la Culture and the ZAC Ile Seguin Rives de Seine developed by SPI Val de Seine Aménagement – a tertiary, leisure, tourist and cultural zone, located close to the headquarters of major companies as well as to several public transports.
Work began in August 2022 and is expected to be completed by late 2025.

A mixed project designed as an ecosystem generating synergies with its environment
The project consists of 3 buildings:

  • A 22,000sqm mixed-use building with a cultural focus designed by Catalan firm RCR Arquitectes (Pritzker Prize 2017) and French agency CALQ Architecture. The building will house shops, a Pathé Cinéma Multiplex with innovative and state-of-the-art auditoriums, and a cultural center as well as offices, steps away from the Seine Musicale and the Albert Kahn Museum.
  • A 4-star hotel designed by the Austrian agency Baumschlager Eberle Architekten. The hotel will target 220 rooms, offering an exceptional setting for business guests and tourists. The space will include bars and restaurants with terraces, a business center, a swimming pool overlooking the Seine and balconies offering direct views over Paris and the Seine.
  • An office building also designed by RCR and CALQ offering 16,000sqm of prime office space. These different but connected and complementary buildings will offer a unique experience for businesses, residents and tourists.

A project fully integrated into its environment
This project was designed to fit seamlessly into Île Seguin’s growing redevelopment and on the Seine’s banks.
These new buildings were designed to complete the island’s cultural scene, such as La Seine Musicale, completed in 2017 and designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban (Pritzker Prize 2014) in collaboration with French architect Jean de Gastines.
The quality and service of the buildings will be market-leading with the highest sustainability standards, (HQE sustainable building V3 and BREEAM International New Construction V6).
This urban transformation project is perfectly aligned with Ardian’s strategy of providing sustainable finance to real estate. This is Ardian’s seventh real estate transaction in France since the launch of its first Real Estate fund in 2016.
Since 2010, Emerige and AOG have successfully developed several multi-use urban transformation projects. This includes “Beaupassage” in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, a new district and residential area dedicated to providing a quality lifestyle and good standards of wellbeing.

“With this project, we are signing what will be one of our finest achievements at Ardian Real Estate and one of our largest investments to date. Île Seguin is an exceptional site which is ripe for further redevelopment to the highest standards. This project will bring a new lease of life to the area while respecting its heritage and history. With our expert partners Emerige and AOG, we will make the Pointe Amont de l’Île an attractive mixed-use area that is respectful of the surrounding environment and provide a perfect setting for people who want to live, work and relax.”
● STÉPHANIE BENSIMON ● HEAD OF ARDIAN’S REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY

“We are delighted that Ardian Real Estate is joining Emerige and our historical partner AOG in this exceptional project. For Emerige, this serves as proof of our ability to carry out complex, large-scale real estate operations. The project on the upstream end of the Ile Seguin is emblematic, whether for its remarkable architectural signature with the architects RCR and Baumschlager Eberle or for its ambitious and innovative mixed-use program with a contemporary art center, a Pathé multiplex, a lifestyle hotel, offices and shops. All of this in a green environment that will harmoniously fit in with the Île Seguin conversion project and its 1.5 hectare park.”
● LAURENT DUMAS ● CHAIRMAN OF EMERIGE SUPERVISORY BOARD

“We are delighted to have joined forces with Ardian Real Estate to develop the Pointe Amont de l’Île Seguin project alongside Emerige. This emblematic project, with a strong cultural orientation, which is designed in compliance with the highest environmental certification standards, is completely in line with our vision of sustainable real estate that echoes our own values as a long-term investor. The privileged partnership that has historically linked us to Emerige and that will link us to Ardian for this project, constitutes a high value-added collaboration.”
● ARNAUD TALABARDON ● VICE-PRÉSIDENT OF AOG AND HEAD OF THE REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

  • In this transaction,

    • Emerige was accompanied by the notary Victoires and law firms De Pardieu Brocas Maffei and Boivin.
    • AOG was advised by the notary Victoires and law firm Gide.
    • Ardian was advised by SCP Attal, Linklaters, Lacourte Raquin Tatar, Arsène Taxand, Theop, HPM, Green Affair, In Extenso and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
  • BANQUES & ASSUREURS

    • Archers ; Caisse d’Epargne des Hauts de France ; L’étude Wargny-Katz ; La Banque Postale ; Marsh ; RyanSG ; Godet Gaillard Solle Maraux et Associés.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world leading private investment house, managing or advising $141bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,300 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. We also provide a specialist service for private clients through Ardian Private Wealth Solutions. Ardian is majority-owned by its employees and places great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 900+ employees, spread across 15 offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia, 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.

ABOUT EMERIGE

Building a better city is Emerige’s ambition. This guiding principle has been carried with rigor and responsibility for more than 30 years and guides our activity on a daily basis. As the leading developer in Paris and the fifth largest in the Greater Paris region, we build each of our residential and commercial real estate programs on the basis of a requirement shared with our stakeholders, architects, craftsmen, investors, users, elected officials, partners and artists, with whom we cultivate a relationship of trust and respect for the word given.
Since 2016, we have been committed to a voluntary and unique CSR approach that places art at the heart of our first social commitments by promoting access to culture for all, through our sponsorship policy, the dissemination of art in the city and our cultural programs dedicated to young people. Convinced of the urgency of engaging in the ecological transition in the heart of cities, Emerige is also investing in the sustainable city through 3 concrete, measurable and enforceable actions: the development of a carbon trajectory, the adhesion to the reuse booster and the adoption of 15 actions in favor of urban biodiversity on all our residential and tertiary programs.

ABOUT AOG

Founded in 1987 and chaired by Swiss entrepreneur Jean Claude Gandur, AOG is a private investment group based in Malta. A pioneer in the energy sector in Africa and the Middle East, the group has diversified into real estate over the past ten years.
AOG Real Estate, its real estate division, develops a global portfolio of investments in private equity funds in real estate as well as in commercial properties in prime European locations.
AOG enjoys a solid reputation as a responsive and reliable partner, combining the flexibility and speed of execution of a private investor with the professional expertise and governance standards of an institutional investor. For over 30 years, AOG has distinguished itself by its entrepreneurial spirit and its intuitive ability to identify new opportunities.

PRESS CONTACTS

ARDIAN

GROUPE EMERIGE

Clarisse Guyonnet

cguyonnet@emerige.com 07 85 28 62 85

AOG

Christine de Loriol

Pressenquiries@aoginvest.com

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ONCAP Partners with Ideal Dental

TORONTO, SACRAMENTO, July 5, 2022 – ONCAP today announced it has made a significant investment in Ideal Dental Management Partners (“Ideal Dental” or the “Company”), in partnership with its affiliated doctors.
Ideal Dental is a specialty dental service organization focused on providing business and administrative services to specialty dental service providers. The Company partners with doctors who independently diagnose and treat their patients, providing orthodontic, pedodontics, oral surgery and other therapeutic services. Together, they deliver exceptional care through the latest innovation and technology and the best patient experience possible – treating every patient and their family members with empathy and respect.

“Ideal Dental is devoted to clinical and operational excellence and we’re thrilled to partner with such an exceptional operating team and group of distinguished doctors,” said Aly Hadibhai, a Managing Director with ONCAP. “We see an opportunity to accelerate the Company’s growth plan through organic and inorganic initiatives and look forward to working together in this next phase of its evolution.”

“ONCAP has an impressive track record working with multi-site consumer-facing businesses operating in fragmented industries, making it the right partner for us,” Alejandra Salonga, Vice President of Operations with Ideal Dental. “I am confident they will help fulfill Ideal Dental’s vision of becoming the premier specialty dental services organization in the Western U.S.”

The investment was made by ONCAP IV, Onex Corporation’s (TSX:ONEX) $1.1 billion private equity fund. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed at this time.

About ONCAP
ONCAP is the mid-market private equity platform of Onex. In partnership with operating company management teams, ONCAP invests in and builds value in North American headquartered small- and medium-sized businesses that are market leaders and possess meaningful growth potential. For more information on ONCAP, visit its website at www.oncap.com.
Onex is an investor and asset manager that invests capital on behalf of Onex shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Onex’ two primary businesses are Private Equity and Credit. In Private Equity, we raise funds from third-party investors, or limited partners, and invest them, along with Onex’ own investing capital, through the funds of our private equity platforms, Onex Partners and ONCAP. Similarly, in Credit, we raise and invest capital across several private credit, public credit and public equity strategies. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies and family offices. In addition, through our private wealth platform, we service high net worth clients in Canada. In total, as of March 31, 2022 Onex has $49.2 billion in assets under management, of which $8.2 billion is Onex’ own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Boston and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms. Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at
www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

About Ideal Dental Management Partners
Ideal Dental Management Partners was built on the shared passion and mission to provide exceptional dental care through the latest innovation and technology, and the belief that everyone deserves to have the confidence and positivity that comes from a healthy, beautiful smile. Ideal Dental Management Partners and the independent specialty dental care practices it supports operate 28 locations on the West Coast through its dental specialty brands. Combined, the brands have provided high-quality dental specialty care to more than 200,000 patients. Ideal Dental Management Partners is headquartered at 3075 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691.

For Further Information:
Onex
Jill Homenuk
Managing Director – Shareholder
Relations and Communications
Tel: +1 416.362.7711
Ideal Dental
Alejandra Salonga
Vice President of Operations
info@idealdentalmp.com

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ECOMMERCE ONE acquires cloud shop solution provider Gambio

Oakley

Oakley Capital (‘Oakley’), the pan-European private equity investor, is pleased to announce that portfolio company ECOMMERCE ONE has acquired Gambio, one of the leading providers of shop system software solutions for online retailers in the DACH region.

Ecommerce One news image

Founded in 2004 by Daniel Schnadt and Nonito Capuno, Bremen-based Gambio provides more than 25,000 retailers with a modern shop system software that offers a wide range of functions and is connected to all major marketplaces, payment systems, merchandise management and ERP systems and shipping service providers.

Icons8 Click & Collect

Provides more than 25,000 retailers with a modern shop system software

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Connected to all major marketplaces, payment systems, merchandise management and ERP systems and shipping service providers

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Solutions optimised for the best search engine rankings and are suitable for both professionals and e-commerce beginners

Gambio’s solutions are optimised for the best search engine rankings and are suitable for both professionals and e-commerce beginners, who can create and customise a legally compliant online shop without programming knowledge.

Quote Daliah Salzmann

Today’s online retailers require more speed and flexibility than ever. We offer them easy access to holistic solutions. Gambio fits perfectly into our portfolio as a cloud-based shop solution with a strong track record and valuable expertise that will benefit the other companies in our Group.

Daliah Salzmann

Managing Director — ECOMMERCE ONE

Market-leading SaaS solutions for online merchants in the DACH region

Backed by Oakley, ECOMMERCE ONE comprises companies that provide market-leading SaaS solutions for online merchants in the DACH region, helping clients manage and automate difficult, manual and time-critical processes that underpin successful ecommerce operations.

ECOMMERCE ONE was formed in June 2021 in order to establish an ecosystem that harnesses synergies between its constituent companies and accelerates joint growth, while also creating added-value and an all-round solution for online merchants.

With the acquisition of Gambio, ECOMMERCE ONE is continuing its growth strategy. The business complements ECOMMERCE ONE’s existing software solutions, most notably multichannel providers Afterbuy and DreamRobot, and allows the group to offer more services to its customers.

Gambio will operate under the ECOMMERCE ONE umbrella but will remain independent, with Dr. Felix Hötzinger remaining as Managing Director.

For our merchants, joining ECOMMERCE ONE gives them the advantage of receiving even more services and benefiting from the holistic value chain solution that the ecosystem offers for online commerce. We also want to be able to offer our solution to even more clients and joining forces with ECOMMERCE ONE enables us to do so.

Dr. Felix Hötzinger

Managing Director — Gambio

Quote Peter Dubens

We’re pleased to see ECOMMERCE ONE deliver on its buy-and-build strategy as we complement the software solution portfolio and grow the group to become the leading eCommerce software provider for online merchants in the DACH region. A high-performing shop system is a key component of successful eCommerce strategy, so adding Gambio is a logical and exciting extension to ECOMMERCE ONE’s existing offering.

Peter Dubens

Managing Partner & Co-Founder — Oakley Capital

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DIF Capital Partners to acquire Rail First, Australia’s leading rail freight leasing company

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”), through its DIF Core-plus Infrastructure Fund III (“CIF III”), and Amber Infrastructure Group are pleased to announce they have signed an agreement to jointly acquire Rail First (the “Company”), the leading Australian rail freight leasing company, on a 50-50 basis, from Anchorage Capital Partners.

Rail First offers leasing solutions for rolling stock such as locomotives, as well as intermodal and hopper wagons. The Company’s leasing offering is supported by a growing locomotive and wagon maintenance operation. Rail First has a blue-chip customer base, reflecting a meaningful proportion of Australia’s haulage task, with a well-diversified underling product mix. Typical leases are for 3-5 years, aligning with the underlying haulage contracts. The strength of the Company’s resilient business model was demonstrated during COVID-19, when major intermodal volumes remained steady. Rail First has strong barriers to entry and is expected to benefit from several long-term tailwinds, including the Inland Rail project between Melbourne and Brisbane once operational. Rail First will drive the transition towards lower emission intensity transport offerings, with a proven ESG track record and several long-term initiatives in place.

Willem Jansonius, Partner and Head of Investments for the DIF CIF strategy, said “DIF is delighted to invest in Rail First, as it provides unique access to Australia’s attractive rail leasing market. The Company is well positioned to partner and grow with its customers. We look forward working together with the Company’s experienced management team to offer more environmentally friendly leasing solutions to the Australian rail market.”

Mark Kirkpatrick, CEO of Rail First, added: “We are excited to partner with DIF, given their successful track record of rail and infrastructure investments, globally and in Australia. Their prior experience combined with significant capital commitment to fund our continued growth places Rail First in a strong position to grow alongside our customers.”

The transaction is subject to approval by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board. The transaction is expected to close by end-October 2022.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent investment manager, with ca. EUR 14 billion in assets under management across eleven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in infrastructure companies and assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Australia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF CIF funds, of which DIF CIF III is the latest vintage, target equity investments in small to mid-sized core-plus infrastructure companies in the telecom, energy transition, and transportation sectors.
  • Traditional DIF funds, of which DIF Infrastructure VI is the latest vintage, target core infrastructure equity investments with long-term contracted or regulated income streams including public-private partnerships, concessions, utilities, and energy transition projects (incl. renewable energy).

DIF Capital Partners has a team of over 190 professionals, based in eleven offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, New York, Paris, Santiago, Sydney, and Toronto. For more information please visit www.dif.eu.

Contact: Thijs Verburg, t.verburg@dif.eu.

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