Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired Marketplace Events, a producer of consumer focused home and garden shows.
Marketplace Events organizes and operates consumer shows targeting the home improvement and enthusiast market including remodeling, home décor, and gardening. The company’s show portfolio is comprised of 44 total events, including 29 US home and garden shows, 13 Canadian home and garden shows, and two holiday boutique shows. Marketplace Events employs 110 people across 12 offices and is led by Tom Baugh, Chief Executive Officer. The company is headquartered near Cleveland in Solon, OH (www.marketplaceevents.com).
“We are very excited about our investment in Marketplace Events,” said Michael Fabian, a partner at Sentinel. “We seek to invest in niche market leaders, and Marketplace Events is the clear leader in the North American home and garden show industry. Moreover, the business was extremely resilient during the 2008 economic downturn and should benefit from positive tailwinds in the home remodeling and repair sector in the years ahead.”
Sentinel Capital Partners invests in middle market companies in the United States and Canada in partnership with management. The firm invests in management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, and going-private transactions of businesses with EBITDAs up to $65 million. Sentinel targets eight industry sectors: aerospace & defense, business services, consumer, distribution, food & restaurants, franchising, healthcare services, and industrials. The firm is headquartered in New York (www.sentinelpartners.com).
“We have never been more confident in our business model or our future than we are now,” said Mr. Baugh. “Our shows provide an invaluable face-to-face meeting place for our exhibitors and consumers. We believe our partnership with Sentinel will allow us to accelerate our growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”
© 2016 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 1-28-16
