Author - marcslater

Ironbridge sells Frost Fighter Inc.

(Toronto – October 1, 2014) Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) of Toronto, ON is pleased to announce the successful sale of Frost Fighter Inc. (“Frost Fighter” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, temporary portable heating equipment, to Headwater Equity Partners of Vancouver, BC. Ironbridge partnered with the existing management to acquire the business in December, 2011. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Frost Fighter:

Frost Fighter is a manufacturer of temporary portable heating solutions used in harsh weather environments. The Company’s products are primarily used in construction, oil and natural gas, mining and natural resources, industrial, agricultural and military applications across Canada and the United States. Frost Fighter’s corporate office and manufacturing plant is located in Winnipeg, MB.

About Ironbridge:

Ironbridge’s team of professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value. Ironbridge is currently investing from its second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP, a fully-committed $154 million fund.

For more information, contact:

Alan Sellery
President and Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners
(416) 863-0101
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

Peter Dowse
Partner and Chief Financial Officer
Ironbridge Equity Partners
(416) 863-0106
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

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Ironbridge Equity Partners announces that they, together with management, have made an investment in M&M Resources Inc.

(TORONTO, July 30, 2014) – Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) of Toronto, Ontario is pleased to announce that they, together with management, have made an investment in M&M Resources Inc. (“M&M” or the “Company”) of Fort Nelson, British Columbia (“BC”).

M&M is a leading energy services business focused on the oil and gas industry in northeast British Columbia and northwest Alberta. The Company services these geographies via locations in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, BC. M&M’s veteran operators and extensive, well-maintained equipment fleet provide best-in-class land-clearing and trucking services. M&M provides these services for seismic land clearing, infrastructure, pipeline and well site development. M&M is well positioned in a region where international energy companies have made significant investments to access the prolific natural gas fields in the Liard, Horn and Montney basins.

“We have experienced material development in the region, due in part to the potential of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) production on the West coast of Canada, and we look forward to our new partnership with Ironbridge. We believe that the Ironbridge team is well suited to support the growth of our business,” said Mike Barrette, President of M&M. “Ironbridge has demonstrated a proven track record of working with owner-operators and giving them the resources to grow. Ultimately, we believe this alliance will allow us to continue to provide superior service and scale to all of our First Nations partners and blue chip E&P customers.”

“We look forward to this new partnership with Mike and the M&M management team and believe the group has the experience and skill set to continue to develop and grow this business,” said Jeff Murphy, Partner at Ironbridge. “Mike and his team are ambitious and motivated to succeed –we are anxious to start working as a team on the next set of growth initiatives.”

M&M is the third investment in Ironbridge’s second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP, a fully-committed $154 million fund.

Ironbridge’s team of seven professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

For more information, contact:

Jeff Murphy
Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners
(416) 863-0107
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

 

Michael Barrette
President
M&M Resources Inc.
(250) 774-4862
mikeb@mmresinc.com
www.mmresinc.com

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Ironbridge completes the final closing of Fund II at CAD $154 million

(TORONTO, April 28, 2014) – Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) today announced that it has completed the final closing for its second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP (the “Fund”), raising C$154 million from Canadian, US and UK investors and surpassing its initial target size of $125 million. The fund was oversubscribed by institutional investors and brings the fundraising process to a close in less than ten months of marketing.

Alan Sellery, Managing Partner of Ironbridge commented, “We are very pleased with the support we have received from both Canadian and international institutional investors. With over 60% of the capital sourced from outside Canada, we believe this is indicative of the attractiveness of the Canadian market and the quality of the investment opportunities that exist here.”

Ironbridge’s team of seven professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

Elm Capital acted as the exclusive placement agent for the Fund.

For more information, contact:

Alan Sellery
Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners

(416) 863-0101
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

 

Etienne Deshormes
CEO
Elm Capital Associates Ltd
Elm Capital USA Ltd

+44 20 7901 8941
edeshormes@elmcapital.com
www.elmcapital.com

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Ironbridge completes the second closing of Fund II at over CAD $90 million

(TORONTO, Jan 6, 2014) – Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) has completed a second closing from US and Canadian institutional investors, adding approximately $45 million of commitments to its second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP (the “Fund”). In less than six months of marketing, the Fund has received total commitments of over $90 million against a target of $125 million and an approximate hard cap of $150 million in capital. The Fund closed its first investment, Frischkorn Audio-Visual Corp., in October 2013.

Ironbridge’s team of seven professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

Elm Capital is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the Fund.

For more information, contact:

Alan Sellery
Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners

(416) 863-0101
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

 

Etienne Deshormes
CEO
Elm Capital Associates Ltd
Elm Capital USA Ltd

+44 20 7901 8941
edeshormes@elmcapital.com
www.elmcapital.com

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Ironbridge Equity Partners announces that they, together with management, have made an investment in Frischkorn Audio-Visual Corp.

(TORONTO, October 1, 2013) Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) of Toronto, Ontario is pleased to announce that they, together with management, have made an investment in Frischkorn Audio-Visual Corp. (“Frischkorn Audio-Visual” or the “Company”) of Mississauga, Ontario.

Frischkorn Audio-Visual is Canada’s leading independent provider of audio-visual services to corporate clients. The Company has locations in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick. Over the past 35+ years, Frischkorn Audio-Visual has built a strong, well-recognized national brand by continually providing crisp, high-quality and flawless event production for corporate events, association events, galas, conventions, product launches and hotel meetings.

“We are extremely happy to partner with Ironbridge for our next phase of growth,” said Norbert Frischkorn, President of Frischkorn Audio-Visual. “Ironbridge have shown a deep understanding of our business, and I believe that in addition to capital they will bring business expertise that will help us to continue our growth, by continuing to produce great events for our clients.”

“From our first meeting with the team, we were extremely impressed with the business Norbert Frischkorn has built,” said Pete Samson, Managing Partner at Ironbridge. “The Company is well run by a very strong management team. We look forward to working with them as they continue to provide customers with the best service in the business.”

Frischkorn Audio-Visual is the first investment in Ironbridge’s second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP.

Ironbridge’s team of seven professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services.  The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

For more information, contact:

Peter Samson
Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners

(416) 863-0102
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

 

Norbert Frischkorn
President
Frischkorn Audio-Visual

(905) 281-9000
nfrischkorn@frischkornav.com
www.frischkornav.com

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Ironbridge completes the first closing of Fund II at ~ CAD $50 million

(TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2013) – Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) has reached a first closing of approximately CAD $50 million of commitments for its second private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners II, LP (the “Fund”). The Fund has a target of CAD $125 million and is backed by a diverse group of Canadian institutional investors including Northleaf Capital Partners, two chartered banks and a large life insurance company.   Ironbridge has now started to market the fund outside Canada and given the strong interest being shown by international investors, it is expected that the fund will rapidly reach its target size.

Alan Sellery, Managing Partner of Ironbridge commented, “We are very pleased with the support we have received from Canadian institutional investors which we see as recognition of the high quality of our team, the value created within our existing portfolio companies and the strong performance of our past investments”.   The four Ironbridge partners including Alan Sellery, Peter Samson, Peter Dowse and Jeffrey Murphy bring to lower mid-market companies in Canada decades of experience as private equity investors, senior managers and strategic consultants.  Ironbridge expects to close its first investment in the Fund at the end of September.

Ironbridge’s team of seven professionals invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services.  The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

Elm Capital is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the Fund.

For more information, contact:

Alan Sellery
Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners

(416) 863-0101
info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

 

Etienne Deshormes
CEO
Elm Capital Associates Ltd
Elm Capital USA Ltd

+44 20 7901 8941
edeshormes@elmcapital.com
www.elmcapital.com

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Ali Akbar and Andrew Mitchell join Ironbridge

(TORONTO, June 3, 2013) Ironbridge is pleased to announce the addition of two new Associates to the investment team; Ali Akbar and Andrew Mitchell.

Ali joined Ironbridge after more than three and a half years at KPMG. From 2011 to 2013 Ali worked in KPMG’s Corporate Finance group, one of Canada’s leading mid-market transaction advisers, providing investment banking services including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, as well as debt and equity financings across a broad range of industry sectors.  Ali began his career in 2009 in KPMG’s audit practice with a focus on energy, mining, and industrial markets.  Ali holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University, where he graduated with Great Distinction and is also a Chartered Accountant.

Andrew joined Ironbridge after more than five and a half years at Ernst & Young.  From 2010 to 2013 Andrew worked at Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance, one of Canada’s largest corporate finance firms focused on mid-market transactions, where he was an Associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions group and a member of both the Diversified and Consumer Products industry teams.  Andrew began his career in 2007 in Ernst & Young’s Assurance & Advisory practice providing audit-related services to a variety of companies ranging from public multinationals to private, owner-managed businesses.  Andrew holds an honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s School of Business at Queen’s University and is also a Chartered Accountant.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

Contact:

Alan G. Sellery
President & Managing Partner
Ironbridge Equity Partners Limited
(416) 863-0101

info@ironbridgeequity.com
www.ironbridgeequity.com

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Ironbridge Equity Partners is pleased to announce the recent sale of Gesco Industries Inc. (“Shnier”)

(TORONTO, March 6, 2013) Ironbridge Equity Partners of Toronto (“Ironbridge”) is pleased to announce that it, together with Signal Hill Equity Partners (“Signal Hill”) and Penfund Management Ltd. (“Penfund”) have divested 100% of their equity stake in Shnier to Blue Point Capital Partners.

Founded in 1938, Shnier (www.shnier.ca) offers value-added products, programs and services to over 4,000 residential and commercial flooring customers,.  Shnier is headquartered in Brampton, Ontario and operates five state-of-the-art warehouses, sales offices and showroom facilities across Canada.

Ironbridge (www.ironbridgeequity.com) invests in Canadian lower middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services.  The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

Ironbridge contacts:

Alan Sellery
President & Managing Partner

(416) 863-0101
info@ironbridgeequity.com

 

Peter Samson
Managing Partner

(416) 863-0102
info@ironbridgeequity.com

Peter Dowse
CFO & Partner

(416) 863-0106
info@ironbridgeequity.com

 

Jeff Murphy
Managing Partner

(416) 863-0107
info@ironbridgeequity.com

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Westerkirk Capital and Ironbridge Equity Partners announces that they, together with management, have acquired Demers, Ambulance Manufacturer Inc. (“Demers Ambulances”)

TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2012 – Westerkirk Capital (“Westerkirk”) and Ironbridge Equity Partners (“Ironbridge”) of Toronto are pleased to announce that they, together with management, have acquired Demers, Ambulance Manufacturer Inc. (“Demers Ambulances”).

Demers Ambulances is the Canadian leader in ambulance design, manufacture and distribution and one of the largest firms in North America. Over the past 50 years, Demers Ambulances has sold more than 15,000 ambulances to customers in over 20 countries. With advanced products that consistently meet and exceed expectations of emergency services specialists around the world, Demers Ambulances is recognized as an innovator in ambulance engineering, introducing and perfecting details that keep paramedics and occupants safe while meeting today’s global challenges.

“We are very pleased to partner with Westerkirk and Ironbridge,” said Alain Brunelle, President and General Manager of Demers Ambulances. “They have demonstrated an understanding of our business, an appreciation for what makes it special, and have the capital and expertise to allow us to continue to grow and serve our customers.”

Demers Ambulances is accredited ISO 9001:2008 and by Transport Canada and the USA DOT, by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) in the USA within their “MEMBER VERIFICATION PROGRAM” and recognized as a “QUALIFIED VEHICLES MODIFIER” (QVM) by the Ford Motor Company and, approved up fitter for Mercedes Benz Sprinter Customer Assurance Program, Demers Ambulances meets the highest standards in the industry.

Westerkirk is a private investment firm based in Toronto. Westerkirk aims to build and own great companies over the long-term. Their focus is to provide strong management teams, like the team at Demers Ambulances, with the capital and expertise to pursue growth opportunities which reflect their values and aspirations.

Ironbridge invests in Canadian middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams to enhance value.

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Ironbridge Equity Partners announces the acquisition of the Frost Fighter Division (“Frost Fighter”) of Industrial Commercial Equipment Manufacturing Ltd.

(Toronto, December 2, 2011) Ironbridge Equity Partners of Toronto (“Ironbridge”) is pleased to announce that it, together with management, has acquired the Frost Fighter Division (“Frost Fighter”) of Industrial Commercial Equipment Manufacturing Ltd.

For over 35 years, Frost Fighter has been one of the North American leaders in the design and manufacturing of harsh environment portable heating solutions for industrial and commercial applications. Frost Fighter produces a line of indirect and direct-fired heaters that are primarily sold to the rental industry for use in natural resource, oil and gas and construction applications. Frost Fighter in located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ironbridge invests in Canadian middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

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Ironbridge Equity Partners announces the acquisition of Hank’s Maintenance & Service Co. Ltd.

Toronto, June 27, 2011 Ironbridge Equity Partners of Toronto (“Ironbridge”) is pleased to announce that it, together with management, has acquired Hank’s Maintenance and Service Co Ltd. (“Hank’s”) from members of the Walkom Family.

About Hank’s Maintenance & Service Co. Ltd.
Founded in 1968, Hank’s is an oil well maintenance business providing in-field services, parts sales and engine sales and rentals. Hank’s is based in Estevan, Saskatchewan and serves the large and growing Bakken Oil Field, located in greater Southeastern Saskatchewan. Hank’s is recognized by customers as the market leader for maintenance services in the Canadian Bakken.

About Ironbridge Equity Partners
Ironbridge invests in Canadian middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. We provide equity capital for management buyouts, expansions, recapitalizations, restructurings and owner/operators who would like to retire and sell their business. We will make equity investments from $5 million to over $30 million. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

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Ironbridge Equity Partners announces the acquisition of LaFrentz and Christenson Trucking Ltd.

Toronto, February 15, 2011 Ironbridge Equity Partners of Toronto (“Ironbridge”) is pleased to announce that it, together with management, has acquired L&C Trucking Ltd. (“L&C”) from members of the Christenson Family.

About LaFrentz & Christenson Trucking Ltd.
Founded in 1956, L&C is an oilfield logistics business providing pipe custodian services and 24-hour oilfield hauling for pipe, tanks, drill collars, mats and drilling fluid. L&C is based in Estevan, Saskatchewan and serves the Bakken Oil Field, located in the greater Southeastern Saskatchewan area. L&C is uniquely positioned to be the hauler of choice as it is responsible for pipe inventory management for several oilfield pipe supply companies.

About Ironbridge Equity Partners
Ironbridge invests in Canadian middle-market businesses operating in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, and consumer and business products and services. We provide equity capital for management buyouts, expansions, recapitalizations, restructurings and owner/operators who would like to retire and sell their business. We will make equity investments from $5 million to over $30 million. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and works closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to enhance value.

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Peter Samson and Jeff Murphy join Ironbridge.

(Toronto, March 8, 2010) Ironbridge is pleased to announce the addition of two new Partners; Peter Samson and Jeff Murphy.

Peter spent over 20 years at Bain & Company in their Toronto office prior to joining Ironbridge where he was most recently a Director. Bain is recognized as the leading strategy consulting firm serving private equity clients worldwide. During his time at Bain, Peter worked on a number of assignments in: mergers & acquisitions; corporate and business unit strategy; sales force strategy; pricing strategy; strategic cost reduction; and customer retention. While at Bain, he held various roles as the head of the Canadian Financial Services, the Canadian Private Equity and the Americas Asset Management Practices. Prior to Bain, Peter worked as an Associate at Wood Gundy, a major Canadian Investment Bank. Peter holds an Honours Business Administration degree from The University of Western Ontario and the CFA designation.

Jeff co-founded Blackmore Partners Inc. prior to joining Ironbridge, a strategic advisory firm working with C-level executives to build successful businesses and create unique opportunities to deploy capital for institutional investors. Jeff has held several executive operating roles at technology and logistics firms and earlier in his career, was a Marketing Executive with Noranda Inc. and an Engineering Consultant with Hatch Associates. Jeff is a professional engineer and holds a Master of Applied Science from The University of British Columbia and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Queen’s University.

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Gaspard & Sons Ltd. (“Gaspard”) announces today that all ownership interests in the Company have been sold by the Gaspard family to an investor group led by Ironbridge Equity Partners Limited (“Ironbridge”) and Westerkirk Capital Inc. (“Westerkirk”) of Toronto.

Winnipeg (May 4, 2009) – Gaspard was founded in 1909 by Frederic E. Gaspard Sr. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After more than three decades, the leadership of the business transitioned to his son, Mr. Frederic T. Gaspard Jr., who ran the Company until his passing in January, 2008. The Company began by manufacturing church vestments and choir gowns, expanding into academic regalia in the 1940’s. Today, Gaspard is a leading North American provider of academic regalia, clergy vestments, choral robes, and legal and judicial attire with manufacturing and distribution locations in Winnipeg, Toronto, Minneapolis and Puerto Rico.

Ironbridge is a Toronto-based private equity firm whose strategy is to make equity investments in high-quality Canadian private companies in the manufacturing, distribution and consumer and business products and services industries. Westerkirk is a private investment firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Westerkirk’s goal is to invest in successful businesses with great operating histories. Westerkirk’s investment objective is to maintain its ownership interests over the long-term.

“After much deliberation since the passing of Fred, I decided to sell the business to Ironbridge and Westerkirk. I am confident that the new owners will continue the successful growth of the business in partnership with the same dedicated group of managers, employees, sales representatives, suppliers and loyal customers,” said Inge Gaspard, past President of Gaspard.

“Ironbridge is very excited about partnering with Westerkirk to buy the business from the Gaspard family and to be a part of the next chapter in the Company’s growth. The business is well positioned strategically and led by a dedicated and loyal group of employees,” said Al Sellery, Managing Partner of Ironbridge and newly-appointed Chairman of Gaspard LP.

“As a long term investor in Canadian private companies, Gaspard is a natural investment for Westerkirk,” said Jim Lawson, President & CEO of Westerkirk and newly-appointed board member of Gaspard LP. “We like the long operating history of the company, the predictable demand of the cap and gown business and the growth opportunities in front of us.”

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Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. Closes $60 Million Initial Public Offering and Secondary Offering

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 26, 2008) – Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (“Orbit Garant” or the “Company”) (TSX: OGD.TO) is pleased to announce today the completion of its initial public offering of 7,505,006 common shares at a price of $4.00 per share for total gross proceeds to Orbit Garant of $30,020,024 as well as the secondary offering by shareholders of Orbit Garant of 7,494,994 common shares for total gross proceeds to the selling shareholders of $29,979,976. The Company’s common shares began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today under the symbol “OGD”.

The offering was sold through a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and including National Bank Financial Inc., GMP Securities L.P. and Desjardins Securities Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriters”). The selling shareholders of Orbit Garant have also granted to the Underwriters an over-allotment option, exercisable for a period of 30 days from the closing of the offering, to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 common shares of the Company from the selling shareholders at a price of $4.00 per share, solely in order to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.

The Company will use the net proceeds of the treasury component of the offering to repay amounts outstanding under its existing credit agreement and for the payment of purchase price, working capital and other adjustments pursuant to the share purchase agreement under which the Company previously acquired Forage Orbit Inc. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the secondary offering or from the exercise of the over-allotment option.

As part of the secondary offering, 6705570 Canada Inc. (“Gesco”), a company controlled and owned as to approximately 90% by Pierre Alexandre, sold 2,257,482 common shares, 1684182 Ontario (International) LP (“1684182 International”) sold 2,825,805 common shares directly owned by it and 1684182 Ontario LP (“1684182 Ontario”) sold 1,074,195 common shares directly owned by it. In addition, Pierre Alexandre directly acquired ownership and control of an additional 500,000 common shares pursuant to the offering, and was granted options to acquire 75,000 common shares on the closing of the offering.

Following the completion of the offering, Pierre Alexandre controls a total of 10,270,451 common shares (representing approximately 31.8% of the 32,281,542 issued and outstanding common shares). Of these, Pierre Alexandre directly owns 500,000 common shares and indirectly beneficially owns, through his approximately 90% ownership interest in Gesco, 8,793,406 common shares, representing approximately 28.8% of the 32,281,452 issued and outstanding common shares. Pierre Alexandre also holds options exerciseable for 75,000 common shares at an exercise price of $4.00 per common share. In addition, 1684181 Ontario Inc. currently controls a total of 5,491,550 common shares of Orbit Garant, representing approximately 17% of the 32,281,542 issued and outstanding common shares as general partner of each general partner of 1684182 International and 1684182 Ontario. Of these, 1684182 International directly owns 3,978,986 common shares (representing approximately 12.3% of the 32,281,542 issued and outstanding common shares) and 1684182 Ontario directly owns 1,512,564 common shares (representing approximately 4.7% of the 32,281,542 issued and outstanding common shares).

In addition, Pierre Alexandre, Gesco, Eric Alexandre, 1684182 Ontario, 1684182 International (collectively the “Shareholder Parties”) and Orbit Garant entered into a voting agreement on the closing of the offering pursuant to which (i) Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. agreed to nominate for, and the Shareholder Parties, agreed to vote in favour of, certain persons as directors of Orbit Garant and (ii) the Shareholder Parties agreed to vote their common shares in the same manner on any matter that may come before the shareholders of Orbit Garant (provided that, if they cannot mutually agree on the manner in which their common shares will be voted, the matter will be referred to a mediator and if no agreement is reached following mediation, they will vote their common shares in their own discretion).

The acquisition of the common shares by each of Pierre Alexandre, Gesco, 1684182 International and 1684182 Ontario was made for investment purposes only. Each of Pierre Alexandre, Gesco, 1684182 International and 1684182 Ontario may, subject to market conditions and in accordance with applicable securities laws, take other actions in respect of its investment in Orbit Garant, including making additional investments in or effecting dispositions of securities of Orbit Garant, including additional purchases of common shares.

If the over-allotment option granted in favour of the Underwriters is exercised, each of Gesco, 1684182 International and 1684182 Ontario will sell up to an additional 525,668, 658,004 and 250,132 common shares, respectively, at a price of $4.00 per common share.

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on the closing of the offering between Orbit Garant, Pierre Alexandre, Eric Alexandre, Gesco, 1684182 Ontario and 1684182 International, 1684182 Ontario and 1684182 International together and Gesco will have the right to request that Orbit Garant increase the size of any equity offering for which Orbit Garant files a prospectus by up to 25% and 15%, respectively, in order to sell common shares held by them.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Orbit Garant
Orbit Garant is one of the largest Canadian-based drilling companies, providing both underground and surface drilling services in Canada and internationally through its 116 drills and approximately 500 employees. Orbit Garant provides services to major, intermediate and junior mining companies, through each stage of mining exploration, development and production.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

For more information about Orbit Garant Drilling Inc., please visit www.orbitgarant.com.

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Gesco Industries Inc announces today that all ownership interests in the Company have been sold by the Shnier family, to an investor group led by Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. of Toronto.

(Brampton, February 5, 2007) Gesco Industries Inc (“SHNIER”) announces today that all ownership interests in the Company have been sold by the Shnier family, to an investor group led by Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. of Toronto.

Gesco Industries Inc., through its operating division, the G. E. Shnier Co., founded in 1938, is Canada’s leading independent, national, floor covering solutions company. The company markets, sells and delivers a complete range of value add flooring products, programs and services to an extensive and wide ranging Canadian customer base. The company employs several hundred associates based in each of five warehouse / showroom / office locations strategically positioned from coast to coast.

Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. invests in leading Canadian middle market businesses in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, consumer and business products and services. Ironbridge’s investment team has extensive financial and operating experience working together as an active partner with top management teams.

“The Shnier family, given its size and overall complexity, felt as a part of its succession planning process, that it was the proper time to accept an offer to sell its financial interests in Gesco Industries Inc. and its G.E.Shnier Co. operating division. The Irving, Norman, Cecil and Philip Shnier families feel confident that the company will continue to prosper under the direction of the extremely capable, professional, management team, actively led by its President & C.E.O. Ed duDomaine, who has held that office since 1997. The family leaves the associates in very trustworthy hands”, said Bonnie Shnier Moncik, past Chairman, on behalf of the Board which also included Mark, Paul and Maury Shnier.

When asked for his comments, duDomaine said, “Two points come to mind. First, that the Shnier family have left an indelible mark on this company and the Canadian flooring industry at large. They deserve our sincere thanks, recognition and appreciation for their many significant contributions. Second, the future for SHNIER is extremely bright, as we continue to aggressively increase both sales and market share, building on the many long and well established supplier and customer relationships”.

“Ironbridge is very excited about partnering with management in buying the business from the Shnier family. We have been very impressed with the business and the quality of its people, as well as its many products, programs, services and facilities. This business is positioned well strategically and we look forward to providing whatever assistance we can in order to see it continue to thrive. We hope to be as positive a steward of SHNIER as the Shnier family, recognizing fully the height of that hurdle,” said Al Sellery, co-founder and managing partner of Ironbridge and newly appointed Chairman of Gesco Industries.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

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Garant Bros Drilling LP merges with Orbit Drilling to create Orbit Garant Drilling Inc.

(Toronto, February 1, 2007) Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. (“Ironbridge”) is pleased to announce the merger of Garant Bros Drilling LP (“Garant”) with Orbit Drilling to create Orbit Garant Drilling Inc. (the “Company”), one of the largest surface and underground drilling companies in Canada. Ironbridge led the structuring and financing of the transaction and will continue to control the Company.

The Company has a modern fleet of surface and underground drilling rigs operating in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Guyana and Suriname where it services top-tier multinational and junior mining customers. The Company’s clients are typically involved in the exploration and production of copper, zinc and gold.

Garant’s President, Michel Mathieu, will serve as Vice-Chairman of the Company and Pierre Alexandre, the former CEO of Orbit, will serve as CEO of the Company. The Ironbridge team looks forward to continuing its successful relationship with Michel and is excited to work with Pierre, an innovative business leader with over 25 years’ experience in the drilling business, to grow the Company.

Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. invests in leading Canadian middle-market businesses in a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, consumer and business products and services. The Ironbridge investment team has extensive financial and operating experience and is an active partner of top management teams in building long-term value.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

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Peter Dowse joins Ironbridge

(Toronto, August 21, 2006) Peter joined Ironbridge Equity on August 21, 2006 from EdgeStone Capital Partners where he was a Vice President in the Equity Fund. Prior to that, Peter held the position of Director of Finance and International Strategy at Borderfree Inc., a Toronto-based logistics software developer, and was a consultant at Monitor Company where he worked on a broad range of assignments including corporate strategy, corporate governance, valuation and post merger integration in North America and Europe.

Peter holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Queen’s University and the CFA designation.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

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Ironbridge Equity Partners completes first closing for inaugural fund

(Toronto, January 19, 2006) Ironbridge Equity Partners Inc. announces the first closing of its inaugural private equity fund, Ironbridge Equity Partners I, LP. The first closing was greater than the original target for the fund and the final closing is now expected to be $50 – $75 million.

“As a first time fund, we are very appreciative of the support we received from the investment community”, said Ironbridge Managing Partner Jamie Johnson. “We plan to continue our focus of investing in companies that require both capital and operating expertise from their financial sponsor”, added Ironbridge Managing Partner Al Sellery.

Ironbridge Equity Partners is an independent Toronto-based private equity firm formed by partners with a distinguished history of financial, operating and restructuring experiences. With a committed fund from investors with whom they have long standing relationships, Ironbridge is in a unique position to complete buyouts or investments in mid-sized companies with enterprise values between $20 and $100 million.

For more information about Ironbridge Equity Partners, please visit www.ironbridgeequity.com.

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