April 9, 2013
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Archives for April 9, 2013

Ridgemont Equity Partners Invests in Simpleview

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Ridgemont Equity Partners has made an investment in Simpleview, a provider of software and digital marketing services to destination marketing organizations. The management team of Simpleview, led by CEO Ryan George and President Rich Reasons, will continue to run the business and has invested alongside Ridgemont in the transaction.

Simpleview provides a cloud-based technology platform which connects destination marketing organizations to travelers, meeting planners, and local businesses (a destination marketing organization (DMO) promotes a town, city, region, or country in order to increase the number of visitors. It promotes the development and marketing of a destination, focusing on convention sales, tourism marketing, and services). Simpleview’s services include customer relationship management software, content management systems, forecasting and reporting tools, websites, mobile sites, search engine optimization and interactive marketing services. Simpleview works with more than 200 US and international DMOs. The company is headquartered in Tucson, AZ (www.simpleviewinc.com).

“Ridgemont’s investment in Simpleview is a natural addition to our fund,” said George Morgan, a Partner at Ridgemont. “Our team has been actively seeking opportunities to invest in vertically-focused software-as-a-service businesses, and the reputation that Simpleview has built as a forward-thinking market leader, coupled with our financial and operational discipline, will be essential elements in the execution of the company’s promising growth plans.”

Ridgemont Equity Partners (formerly Banc of America Capital Investors) focuses on middle market buyout and growth equity investments of $25 million to $75 million. The firm invests in the following sectors: basic industries and services; energy; healthcare; and telecommunications/media/technology. Ridgemont Equity Partners is headquartered in Charlotte, NC (www.ridgemontep.com).

“Our partnership with Ridgemont enables Simpleview to grow by scaling our already robust service offering and expanding our customer reach, both nationally and globally,” said Ryan George, CEO of Simpleview. “We are very excited to join forces with this experienced investment team and anticipate an even brighter future for our company, the destinations that we serve, and the tourism industry overall.”

ArchPoint Partners (archpointpartners.com) served as exclusive financial advisor to Simpleview and Silicon Valley Bank provided financing for the transaction.

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-9-13

Thomas H. Lee Partners Acquires CompuCom

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Thomas H. Lee Partners has entered into an agreement to acquire CompuCom Systems, a provider of IT services, from Court Square Capital Partners. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013.

CompuCom is a North American IT outsourcing company providing infrastructure management services, application services, systems integration and consulting services, as well as the procurement and management of hardware and software to Fortune 1000 companies. CompuCom has more than 11,500 employees and had $2.3 billion of revenue in 2012. The company is headquartered in Dallas (www.compucom.com).

“Companies across all industries are increasingly turning to third parties to enhance how they meet their business service needs, particularly with respect to IT. Meanwhile, technology continues to evolve quickly; organizational compliance requirements are becoming an expensive burden due to the rise of mobile devices and cloud computing; and end-user computing services require integration of an increasing number of components. CompuCom has demonstrated that it has the tools and human capital to help companies to navigate these challenges,” said Soren Oberg, Managing Director at THL.

Citigroup Global Markets, J.P. Morgan, BMO Capital Markets and Jefferies Finance are providing committed financing for the transaction.

Thomas H. Lee Partners, founded in 1974, is one of the oldest private equity investment firms in the United States. Industries of interest include business and information services; consumer products and retail; financial services; health care; industrial; and media & communications. Since its founding, Thomas H. Lee Partners has raised approximately $20 billion of equity capital and invested in more than 100 businesses with an aggregate purchase price of more than $150 billion. The firm is based in Boston (www.thl.com).

“CompuCom has established itself as a clear leader in providing cost-effective IT service management and solutions and is well known for its exemplary customer service. We believe the company is well-positioned to capture additional market share in its traditional areas of strength as it deepens its expansion into new services towers. We look forward to partnering with the talented CompuCom management team to further grow the business and to continue building value,” said Seth Lawry, Managing Director at THL.

Court Square Capital Partners was established as an independent private equity firm by the former members of Citigroup Venture Capital Equity Partners. Court Square is focused primarily on leveraged buyout transactions in the middle market. Sectors of interest include business services, general industrial, healthcare and technology/telecommunications. Court Square currently manages approximately $5.5 billion of capital and is based in New York (www.courtsquare.com).

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-9-13

Lincoln International Adds Alex Stevenson as Managing Director

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Lincoln International has added Alexander Stevenson to its Restructuring and Special Situations Group. Mr. Stevenson joins the firm as a Managing Director and he will be based in Lincoln International’s Los Angeles office. Mr. Stevenson will be teaming up with Joe Radecki, Managing Director and Head of Lincoln International’s Restructuring and Special Situations Group, based in New York.

“We are committed to building the leading restructuring and special situations capability in the middle-market. Regardless of the volume in the restructuring market, when you have the opportunity to hire a banker of Alex’s caliber, you take it,” said Jim Lawson, Chairman of Lincoln International.

Mr. Stevenson joins Lincoln International from FocalPoint Securities, where he led the restructuring and special situations practice. Prior to his time at FocalPoint Securities, he was a Managing Director at Ernst & Young Corporate Finance where he was a senior member of the restructuring practice.

Mr. Stevenson has seventeen years of experience advising companies, creditors and other stakeholders in a variety of distressed and special situations involving the resolution of approximately $16 billion of financial obligations. Advising clients from both public and private companies, hedge funds, lender groups, committees and buyers of distressed assets, Mr. Stevenson’s industry experience includes distressed M&A, amendments, waivers, debt for equity conversions, plans of reorganization and Chapter 11 processes.

“I am very excited to join the Lincoln team,” said Mr. Stevenson. “The firm’s industry depth, international reach, valuation expertise and debt placement capabilities are powerful assets for our clients in any restructuring situation and are unmatched in the middle market.”

Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. The firm also provides fairness opinions, valuations and pension advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. Lincoln International has fourteen offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and is headquartered in Chicago (www.lincolninternational.com).

“Alex’s capabilities in restructuring advisory services heartily supplement the already established expertise Lincoln has in the field. As we continue through the economic cycle, Alex will be a strong asset to our firm and many of Lincoln’s clients will benefit from Alex’s perspective and advice,” said Rob Barr, Lincoln International’s CEO North America.

© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-9-13

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