News

ABC Technologies to Acquire WMG Technologies

Acquisition Enhances Exteriors Portfolio, Two-Shot Molding and Mold-in-Color Capabilities, Strengthens North American Customer Relationships businesswire December 22, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ABC Technologies Holdings Inc. (TSX: ABCT) (“ABC Technologies”, “ABC” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and supplier of custom, highly engineered, technical plastics and lightweighting innovations to the global automotive industry, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WMG Technologies (“WMGT”) from the Bierer family for US$165 million (the “Initial Close”) with potential earn-out payments that may become payable upon the achievement of specified profitability targets over the next 24 months (the “WMGT Acquisition”). Based in Windsor, Ontario, WMGT was founded in 1972 and is a leading tier-1 and tier-2 supplier to major global automotive OEMs with facilities across North America. Along with an extensive portfolio of complementary exteriors products, WMGT is a leading provider of complex tooling for injection molded exterior and interior parts, lighting molds and optic inserts. For WMGT’s Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2022, WMGT generated approximately US$270 million in revenue. “WMGT brings with it a rich history as a family-owned Canadian business that parallels ABC’s own story. Founded two years apart, both companies built strong legacies guided by intentional and focused leaders. Six years after our own transition from being a family-owned business, ABC is excited to welcome WMG into its next exciting chapter as part of the ABC family,” said Terry Campbell, President and CEO of ABC Technologies. “This acquisition strengthens ABC’s exterior products offering, expands our injection molding technical expertise and brings additional value-added tooling in-house.” David Mastronardi, President and CEO of WMG Technologies said, “As we move past a key 50-year milestone in our history, driven by a passion for innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence, I’m excited to usher in the next phase of WMGT’s journey under ABC’s stewardship. I’m confident that the combination of our businesses – enabled by a continued focus on people, quality, and customers – will catalyze meaningful growth and opportunities while establishing the combination as a supplier of choice.” To finance the Initial Close, the Company expects to drawdown under its Credit Facilities (as hereinafter defined). On December 5, 2022, ABC amended and restated its existing credit agreement (the “Credit Facilities”) to, among other things, allow for the WMGT Acquisition, provide an additional term facility to be used solely in connection with the WMG Acquisition and to be funded at the Initial Close and to provide additional flexibility. The transaction is expected to close in ABC Technologies’ Fiscal Third Quarter 2023 (1st Quarter CY 2023) following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Competition Bureau and the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission. Advisors Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as lead counsel to ABC Technologies with respect to the WMGT Acquisition. Evercore acted as sole financial advisor to ABC Technologies and its Board of Directors with respect to the WMGT Acquisition. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP acted as lead counsel to WGMT. KPMG LLP, Deloitte Mexico and Akin Bay Company LLC acted as financial advisors to WMGT. About ABC Technologies ABC Technologies is a leading manufacturer and supplier of custom, highly engineered, technical plastics and lightweighting innovations to the North American light vehicle industry, serving more than 25 OEM customers globally through a strategically located footprint. ABC Technologies’ integrated service offering includes manufacturing, design, engineering, material compounding, machine tooling and equipment building that are supported by a team of skilled professionals (including professional practicing engineers and additional employees with technical diplomas or at least 15 years technical working experience serving in other technical engineering roles), which we believe ultimately contributes to our differentiated product innovation. Our vertically integrated capabilities include our tool-building and material compounding businesses, which we believe allows us to stay on the leading edge of technical plastics and lightweighting product innovation. In addition, our manufacturing footprint provides us with 250-mile coverage for the majority of our OEM customers’ North American light vehicle manufacturing facilities, which we also believe provides us with logistical and competitive advantages. The Company offers three product groups: Interior Systems, Exterior Systems and HVAC, Fluids & Other. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations with respect to the Company and its operations, including its strategy and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon future events or conditions, or include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “targets”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “schedule”, or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “would” and “could”. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to: the closing of the WMGT Acquisition and receipt of required regulatory approvals; the WMGT Acquisition; and the expected benefits of the WMGT Acquisition, including potential synergies. Forward-looking statements are based on underlying assumptions and management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally that may cause actual results to vary from plans, targets and estimates. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2022 which is available under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions readers that actual results may vary significantly from those expected should certain risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Caution Regarding WMGT’s Financial Information This press release contains certain selected audited annual financial information regarding WMGT for WMGT’s financial year ended April 30, 2022 (the “WMGT Financial Information”). Such WMGT Financial Information has been prepared using WMGT’s audited consolidated financial statements. In providing such WMGT Financial Information, the Company has not independently verified the audited financial information that was provided to the Company by WMGT and that was used to prepare the WMGT Financial Information. This WMGT Financial Information may not reflect what WMGT’s financial positions, results of operations or cash flows would have been had the Company owned all of the outstanding shares of WMGT’s during the period presented or what the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows from or including WMGT will be in the future. The WMGT Financial Information does not contain any adjustments to reflect changes that may occur in the Company’s cost structure, financing and operations as a result of the WMGT Acquisition. Undue reliance should not be placed on the WMGT Financial Information. Contacts Nathan Barton, Investor Relations investors@abctech.com
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Columbia River Partners Announces Investment in TiniFiber

CISION PR Newswire 17 Oct, 2022, 13:36 ET SEATTLE, 17 Oct, 2022, PRNewswire/ -- Columbia River Partners ("CRP") is proud to announce its investment in TiniFiber Holdings, LLC ("TiniFiber"), a fiber optic assembly and custom cable manufacturer. Columbia River Partners ("CRP") is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on investments in business service, industrial, and information technology platforms in North America. Headquartered in Farmingdale, NY, TiniFiber will continue to capitalize on the strong long-term FTTx trends by demonstrating the superior value of its product to customers across the country. TiniFiber's products are smaller, stronger, and lighter than those of the competition, resulting in substantial savings to contractors and end users via reduced labor and transportation costs. "Our patented Micro Armor fiber helps customers do more of what they need to, run cable, and do it faster and cheaper than ever before," said Christian Peterson, CEO of TiniFiber. Barry Skolnick, Vice President of Operations, added, "Once a customer tries our TiniFiber product, they don't go back to the legacy Aluminum Interlocking Armor competition, it just doesn't make sense after they've experienced what TiniFiber can do for their business." Nathan Chandrasekaran and Pooneet Goel, Partners at Columbia River Partners added, "Through Christian and Barry's leadership and dedication, TiniFiber grew from an idea into the most effective fiberoptic cable on the market today. We look forward to partnering with Christian, Barry, and the rest of the TiniFiber family to build on that foundation and execute on the numerous opportunities to grow the business." Capital to support the transaction was provided by Tecum Capital Partners, Unity Hunt, UMB Capital Corporation, and Enterprise Bank & Trust. Enterprise Bank & Trust provided senior debt financing. Geffen Mesher provided financial and tax due diligence services. McGuire Woods served as counsel for CRP and Katten Muchin Rosenman served as counsel for Tecum Capital. Lockton provided all employment and insurance due diligence. TiniFiber was represented in this transaction by Akin Bay Company, a leading NYC based M&A advisory firm serving the middle-market for 30 years. Akin Bay also acted as the debt placement agent and invested in TiniFiber. "TiniFiber is the type of company where we strongly believed in the company, its management, and unique market position, making a compelling financial advisory and merchant banking situation" and "We look forward to helping it grow both organically and through select add-on opportunistic acquisitions," said James Rybakoff, CEO of Akin Bay Company.  About TiniFiber With its patented, proprietary wrapped stainless-steel coil technology combined with Kevlar®, TiniFiber® Micro Armor Fiber™ Optic Cable provides unrivalled strength and resilience. Its unmatched armored bend radius delivers superior flexibility. Reliable, scalable, and sustainable, TiniFiber® can meet the demands of even the most challenging applications. Jackets are available for riser, plenum, indoor, outdoor, LSZH, direct burial, industrial and harsh environments. TiniFiber® patch cords can be adapted to accommodate all lengths for standard or custom projects. TiniFiber® Micro Armor Fiber™ Optic Cable has given the industry what it has long sought – an armored fiber optic cable solution with a smaller outer diameter that is also highly durable, flexible, and adaptable to deliver seamless, sustainable end-to-end value. To learn more about our innovative solutions please contact us at 631.932.2253 or visit us at www.tinifiber.com.   About Columbia River Partners Columbia River Partners is a private equity firm focused on control investments in lower-middle market companies in North America across the industrials, business services, and IT services sectors. Columbia River's experienced team of investors and executives seek portfolio company value enhancement through rigorous implementation of transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Columbia River Partners is based in Seattle and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.columbiariverpartners.com. About Tecum Capital Tecum Capital is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based private investment firm deploying capital in lower middle-market companies. Tecum provides mezzanine debt and equity investments in growth-oriented middle-market companies across the broader high-value manufacturing, value-added distribution, and business services sectors. Our team partners with independent sponsors, family offices, committed funds, business owners seeking succession plans, and management teams to create shared success. Tecum focuses on businesses with EBITDA greater than $3 million. Tecum seeks to invest $5 million to $20 million in potential portfolio companies. Tecum manages two Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") licensed funds and is currently investing out of Tecum Capital Partners III, L.P, a $300 million fund launched in September 2021. Since 2006, the team has collectively invested more than $850 million in over 100 platform and add-on acquisitions.  For more information, please visit www.tecum.com. About UMB Capital Corporation UMB Capital Corporation is a small business investment company founded in 1984.  Since then, our focus has evolved to a multi-strategy fund, investing in companies across the continental United States.  Our specialty is capitalizing middle market businesses across many industries to effectively spur growth, assist in ownership transition, and develop platforms with subsequent add-on acquisitions.  Over the last seven years, UMB Capital Corporation has assisted more than 60 companies by providing financial solutions that meet their financial needs.  Our typical investment ranges from $1,000,000 - $7,500,000 with a focus on companies generating $2,000,000+ in EBITDA.  For more information, please visit our website at Mezzanine Debt | Minority Equity Investments | UMB Bank. About Unity Hunt Unity Hunt is the company through which the Lamar Hunt family oversees its holdings.  It holds a diverse portfolio of companies and investments involved in sports/media, real estate, energy/resources, private and public equity, and hedge funds. For private equity, the firm deploys capital through co-investments, independent sponsor-led deals, unsponsored transactions, and funds. Targeted industries include industrial/manufacturing, business services, consumer, technology services, and health care. About Enterprise Bank & Trust Enterprise Bank & Trust is built on trusted, personal relationships and offers a range of business and personal banking services, wealth management services and a variety of specialized banking services. Enterprise Financial Services Corp, with approximately $13 billion in assets, is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Bank & Trust operates 39 branch offices in Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico, and SBA loan and deposit production offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The Sponsor Finance team, a division of the bank's Specialty Banking group, is a dedicated senior leveraged finance division that partners with private equity sponsors, mezzanine lenders, SBICs, family offices and independent sponsors in support of mergers, acquisitions, and recapitalizations. The team manages more than $900 million in current commitments provided to 80+ companies. Industries served include business services, distribution, manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, and technology services, among others. About Akin Bay Company Akin Bay Company LLC ("Akin Bay"), founded in 1990, is a New York based, FINRA-registered investment banking firm serving middle market public, private and family-owned companies.  We have differentiated ourselves with a unique business style in which we provide investment and merchant banking services with the same high-quality analysis, industry knowledge and long-term relationships with a more customized and personal approach. For over 30 years, Akin Bay has provided corporate financial advisory services, which include: mergers and acquisitions, institutional private placements of debt and equity, financial restructuring, strategic advisory, valuations and fairness opinions. Akin Bay is one of the premier independent US investment banking boutiques, with exceptional depth and breadth of industry expertise in advising companies and institutional funds in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.akinbay.com. Media Contact: Pooneet Goel (650) 799-4467 346753@email4pr.com
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Consolidated Elevator joins American Elevator Group

CISION PR Newswire May 11, 2022 LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Elevator Group ("AEG"), today confirmed their investment in Consolidated Elevator ("Consolidated" or "the Company"), the latest in a series of notable acquisitions taking place across the United States. Consolidated Elevator has been serving all five New York boroughs for over 50 years under the direction and ownership of the Revesz family. CEO Karl Reeves Jr., son of founder Karl Revesz, acknowledged the investment opportunity from AEG, commenting "Now is the right time to capitalize on our growth opportunities. The strength and resources available to us as a part of AEG will guarantee we achieve our true potential." C. Mark Boelhouwer, President of American Elevator Group, welcomed Karl and his team, saying "Consolidated is a well-respected New York service business and a testament to the leadership of the Revesz family. I am thrilled to have them join American Elevator Group." About Consolidated Elevator Consolidated Elevator has been proudly serving New York's Elevators for more than 50 years. The company provides fast and reliable elevator maintenance, repair, and installation services to buildings with passenger elevators in all five boroughs of New York City. Consolidated Elevator views safety as paramount, provides extensive training to their employees, and aims to provide the highest value, the best solutions, and the most outstanding service at the fairest prices to their customers. For more information on Consolidated Elevator, visit www.ceinyc.com About American Elevator Group Founded in 2020, American Elevator Group (AEG) is the largest independent elevator service provider in North America with more than 330 years of combined management experience in the elevator industry. The group consists of independent elevator companies that deliver local expertise and customer service across 21 states. Backed by significant resources in safety, finance, technology, marketing, and operations, the group is in a continuous state of growth. For more information on AEG, visit www.americanelevator.com Media Contact:   Linda Healan, Warner Communications   linda@warnerpr.com   404-725-7117            
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Amulet Capital Partners Invests in minds assembly

businesswire May 04, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time GREENWICH, Conn. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amulet Capital Partners, LP (“Amulet”), a middle-market private equity investment firm focused exclusively on the healthcare sector, today announced a significant growth investment in minds + assembly (“m+a” or the “Company”), an industry-leading full-service, design-centric agency and commercialization platform focused on the healthcare sector. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, m+a offers full-service capabilities to a diverse group of blue-chip pharma, biotech, and digital health companies across a range of therapeutic categories, including rare diseases, mental health, oncology, CNS, dermatology, and more. With an exceptionally talented team of professionals executing on a shared mission to be a design force for good, m+a is a singular resource for clients. minds + assembly offers deep expertise across disciplines ranging from ground-up brand and campaign development, brand launches, and creative advertising campaigns to world-class design, strategic positioning, leading-edge omni-channel capabilities, as well as data and analytics services. Amulet will work closely with m+a’s founders and management to accelerate their long-term growth strategy, expanding its service offerings in analytics and media, and providing additional resources and infrastructure to scale. m+a co-founders Ben Ingersoll, Joelle Friedland, and Stephen Minasvand will continue to lead the business and remain significant shareholders. “Over the last eight years, we have rapidly and strategically grown our brand and hired the most talented team in the business across departments, all while serving our clients with a passion and level of insight that has differentiated m+a from day one,” said Joelle Friedland, speaking on behalf of the three founders. “Today, we are at an important inflection point in our growth trajectory. In looking for a partner that can support m+a through our next phase of growth, we were focused on finding a team that intimately understands our business, our industry, and what our clients care about most. The Amulet team brings all that and more. We are confident their support and resources will have a meaningful impact for our employees and clients as we continue to build a world-leading agency.” “Ben, Joelle, and Stephen have built a unique, disruptive agency that invests heavily in its people, its clients, and the resources needed to sustain that growth. m+a stands out as a leader in the pharma commercialization space, combining deep scientific expertise, digital innovation, and impactful brand strategy and design work,” said Avi Uttamchandani, Principal at Amulet. “We are in the midst of a dynamic shift around how the healthcare industry communicates with patients, healthcare professionals, and payors. minds + assembly has been ahead of the curve in helping some of the most innovative, dynamic, and well-established brands in healthcare navigate this evolving environment, and we are pleased to invest behind their vision and support the company in capitalizing on a number of exciting growth and expansion opportunities,” continued Nick Amigone, Partner at Amulet. Akin Bay Company served as exclusive financial advisor to minds + assembly. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to Amulet and Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC served as legal advisor to minds + assembly. About Amulet Capital Partners Amulet Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, focused exclusively on the healthcare sector. Amulet seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation through privately negotiated investments in healthcare companies. Amulet focuses on those segments it believes have the most attractive long-term fundamentals with a target investment size between $50 million to $150 million. For additional information, please visit www.amuletcapital.com. About minds + assembly minds + assembly is a premier design-focused brand launch agency, providing digitally advanced solutions and an unparalleled client experience for leading global healthcare companies. Founded in 2015, the Company has distinguished itself through its beautiful work, thriving culture, supremely talented employees, superior processes, and a carefully selected client base. minds + assembly is headquartered in NoHo, New York City and also has an office in London and a growing international presence. Learn more at www.mna.co. Contacts Media Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Jonathan Keehner / Erik Carlson (212) 355-4449
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Permira Funds to Acquire Maker of PopCorners and Other Better-For-You Branded and Private Label Snack Products

NEW YORK – June 9, 2015 – Permira, the international private equity firm, announced today that a company backed by the Permira funds has signed definitive agreements to simultaneously acquire Medora Snacks, LLC (“Medora”) and Ideal Snacks Holding Corporation (“Ideal”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Medora manufactures branded better-for-you snacks, including PopCorners®, PopCorners Whole Grain®, Pop Crinkles®, and popped bean chips. Ideal is the leading contract manufacturer of better-for-you diversified popped snacks. The Permira funds will combine Medora and Ideal under a single holding company called BFY Holdings I, LLC (“BFY Holdings”). BFY Holdings will be a leader in the better-for-you snack product category, one of the fastest growing segments of the overall U.S. salty snack market.
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Passing of Co-Founder William A. Kaynor, Esq.

New York, NY May 26, 2011: (For immediate release) - Akin Bay Company LLC (“Akin Bay”), a New York investment banking boutique, announced today the death on May 25, 2011 of one of its founding partners, William Akin Kaynor, Esq. of Coconut Grove, Florida and Quogue, NY. Mr. Kaynor was 88 at the time of his death. After a distinguished 30 year career as a partner of the New York law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (“Davis Polk”), Mr. Kaynor founded in 1990 the firm then named Akin Blair Company (now Akin Bay Company LLC) with two partners, the late John P. Carroll, Jr., Esq., also a retired partner of Davis Polk, and James Blair Rybakoff. “Bill was more than a partner and leader of Akin Bay for over a decade, he was my mentor and part of our family. Bill had one of the most analytical, quick- thinking minds I have ever encountered; even in his 70’s he was able to come up with solutions to complex financial problems faster than anyone else I have ever met. We will miss him tremendously” said James Rybakoff, who is today Akin Bay’s President and CEO.
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Maker of Frisbee, Hula Hoop sold to Hong Kong distributor

USA Today - MoneySAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Wham-O, the maker of vintage toys like the Frisbee, Slip'N Slide and Hula Hoop, has been sold to a Hong Kong distributor that's trying to build a one-stop shop for outdoor fun.
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Emeryville's Wham-O sold / Manufacturer of Hula Hoops, Frisbees goes to Hong Kong firm

Wham-O, the manufacturer of the Frisbee, the Hula Hoop and other venerable toys, was sold this week to a Hong Kong distributor that plans to expand the Emeryville company, the parties said Thursday.
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In search of the perfect buyer

Family Business Magazine The Barrett family’s VitalChek Network was a high-tech startup in a fast-growing business. Could they raise cash for expansion without selling their souls? By Stan Luxenberg Herb Barrett’s fortune, like that of many entrepreneurs, began with a vexing personal problem. After years as a DuPont engineer in Delaware, in the early ’70s Barrett returned to his home town of Nashville, Tenn., and enrolled his two sons in a private school—only to find on opening day that the school refused to admit his boys without birth certificates. Barrett lacked copies, and Delaware bureaucrats told him it would take six weeks to produce any. Barrett figured out that he could speed the process by sending cash via Western Union and paying to have the copies sent to him by overnight mail. He had the boys in their classrooms only four days behind schedule, but the incident rankled him for years.
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ChoicePoint buys VitalChek

CBS MarketWatch ALPHARETTA, Ga. (CBS.MW) -- ChoicePoint, a risk management and fraud prevention company, said Monday it has acquired VitalChek for $120 million in cash. ChoicePoint CPS, +1.16% will shell out additional funds if VitalChek exceeds certain financial targets over the next three years.
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