GE Capital’s Telecom, Media and Technology financing group served as administrative agent on $69 million of senior secured credit facilities to support the recent acquisition of AGDATA by Vista Equity Partners. GE Capital Markets served as sole lead arranger and bookrunner on these facilities. AGDATA was previously a portfolio company of SFW Capital Partners.
“GE Capital provided us with a flexible financing structure and strong capital commitment on this transaction. We look forward to our continued financing relationship,” said Kevin Sofield, head of capital markets at Vista Equity Partners.
AGDATA is a provider of data and analytics to agricultural, crop protection and animal health manufacturers throughout the US and Canada. AGDATA collects and analyses data from over 8,000 retailers and distributors and this data is used by customers to analyze complex sales data, analyze sales trends, as well as to develop and maintain marketing and seed rebate programs. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Charlotte, NC (www.AGDATA.net).
“We’re excited to support Vista and the AGDATA team as they continue to develop data solutions for the agriculture industry,” said Matthew Fleming, managing director with GE Capital’s TMT business.
GE Capital’s Telecom, Media and Technology (TMT) business provided more than $5.5 billion in financing in 2013 across 59 transactions. Sectors of interest include cable, towers, data centers, wireless, metro fiber, radio, TV, digital media, education services and software, and the related technologies that enable these industries (www.gecapital.com/tmt).
2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 8-14-14
