DETROIT, Nov. 2, 2009 /PRNewswire/ – Huron Capital Partners announced today that it has made a significant investment in Maple Leaf Automotive, Inc. (“Maple Leaf”), in partnership with its management team. Huron committed $30 million to close the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction marks the 45th investment overall for Huron and 3rd investment platform in Canada. The investment was made through Huron’s most recent private equity fund, The Huron Fund III, L.P., which has $350 million in fresh committed capital.
Based in Ontario, Canada, Maple Leaf is a leading manufacturer of original equipment quality replacement parts for the automotive aftermarket. Maple Leaf combines vehicle specific formulations and an advanced manufacturing process to produce world-class vehicle replacement parts with superior performance characteristics.
Chris Sheeren, a Partner at Huron, stated “The management team has developed an outstanding line of products which deliver high quality and performance to their customers. The automotive aftermarket sector is strong, and we view Maple Leaf’s products and the professionalism of the management team as a winning combination. Huron is excited about the opportunity to build this business and is committed to providing the resources to do so.”
This investment in Maple Leaf further demonstrates Huron Capital’s commitment to the Canadian middle market. Huron has allocated significant resources and capital specifically for investments in Canada, and recently opened an office in downtown Toronto. From this office, Jeremy Busch will propel the firm’s growth equity, buyout and late-stage investment activities throughout the country. With significant available capital, Huron continues to aggressively seek new investment opportunities in both Canada and the U.S.
About Huron Capital Partners LLC
Huron Capital is a leading private equity firm investing in lower middle-market companies. The firm typically invests between $10 million and $70 million in equity to sponsor buyouts, growth initiatives, corporate spin-offs and recapitalizations of growth-oriented niche manufacturing, specialty service, and value-added distribution companies having revenues up to $200 million. Huron’s strategy is to combine its operational approach, capital and transaction experience with proven management teams who have the vision, experience and commitment to grow their businesses.
Since its founding in 1999, Huron has acquired or invested in 45 companies with aggregate revenues approaching $1 billion. Investments have been made in the U.S. and Canada in a variety of areas, including print solutions & document management, education, healthcare products & services, specialty chemicals, specialty packaging, consumer products, home décor, passenger transportation services, building products, office furniture components and laboratory testing. Huron Capital currently manages over $600 million in committed equity through three private equity funds and has offices based in Detroit, Pittsburgh and Toronto. The firm has consistently generated top-quartile returns for its limited partners. For more information, please visit us at www.huroncapital.com.
Source: Huron Capital Partners LLC
CONTACT: Chris Sheeren, Huron Capital Partners, +1-313-962-5805
