LaSalle Capital and Marquette Companies today announced that LaSalle Capital has purchased Avtex Solutions from Marquette Companies, a part of the Pohlad Companies. The acquisition closed yesterday, June 24. Avtex was acquired by Marquette Companies in 2006.
“The sale of Avtex is a logical outcome of our strategic focus on financial services, commercial real estate, automotive sales, and sports and entertainment,” said Bert Colianni, CEO of Marquette Companies. Avtex has been a good performer with a great team, and we believe the transaction will benefit Avtex in its growth goals. We wish them the best in the future,”
Avtex provides professional communications services and strategic consulting services. Services include design, application development, unified communications, contact centers, portals, business intelligence, and customer relationship management. Avtex is a Microsoft Gold Certified and Managed Partner and a platinum-elite reseller of Interactive Intelligence communications software. The company serves more than 500 customers in the U.S., and has more than 160 employees in 17 states. Avtex is based in Minneapolis (www.avtex.com).
“George Demou and his team have built a reputation for delivering exceptional customer experiences and customized, technology-enabled solutions,” said Nick Christopher, partner at LaSalle Capital. They are a quality organization and are nationally recognized as a leading provider of Microsoft and Interactive Intelligence solutions. We are impressed by the Avtex business model, their strategic plan and the experienced team of seasoned professionals within the organization.”
LaSalle Capital Group operated as a fund-less sponsor from 1984-2004, making over thirty equity investments. In 2004 the firm raised its first fund with $125 million in capital commitments. LaSalle is currently managing two committed funds totaling over $330 million in capital raised from financial institutions and high net worth individuals. The firm is currently investing its second fund which will seeks to make control investments in companies with revenues of $10 million to $100 million that have EBITDAs of at least $2 million. Typical enterprise valuations will be from $5 million to $50 million. Sectors of interest include food & beverage, outsourced business services and value-added distribution/manufacturing. LaSalle Capital Group is based in Chicago, IL (www.lasallecapitalgroup.com).
LaSalle Capital was advised by Sidley Austin. Advisors to Marquette Companies were Cherry Tree & Associates and Briggs and Morgan.
Marquette Companies is part of the Pohlad Companies, a group of more than 25 companies owned by the Pohlad family. Founded by Carl Pohlad in the 1950s and now managed by his three sons Jim, Bob and Bill, the Pohlad Companies operate in financial services/banking; commercial real estate; automotive sales; sports and entertainment, including the Minnesota Twins, a Major League Baseball franchise; and investments in privately held companies. The company is based in Minneapolis (www.marquettecompanies.com).
© 2024 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 6-26-14
