L.A. Investors Vary in Holdings, Strategies, Influence
There are about 40 private equity firms headquartered in Los Angeles County, and the following sample includes some of the better-known firms. Information on the firms, which are listed alphabetically, has been obtained from representatives of the companies.
Nicole Taylor
Aurora Capital Group
Principal: Gerald Parsky, Chairman
Capital Under Management: $1 billion
Portfolio: ADCO Global Inc., FleetPride Corp., Tartan Textile Services Inc., United Plastics Group Inc.
Description: Formed in 1991, acquires and builds middle-market companies in partnership with operating management. Particular interest in acquiring platform companies that can grow through internal growth and add-on acquisitions.
Brentwood Associates
Principal: William M. Barnum Jr., Partner
Capital Under Management: $750 million
Portfolio: Bay Travelgear Inc., Exhale Enterprises Inc., Spectrum Clubs Inc., Zumiez Inc.
Description: Formed in 1972, invests through a variety of transaction structures, including management buyouts, recapitalizations and growth equity. Typically has majority ownership stake, seeks equity investments of $20 million to $75 million, acts as board-level advisors on strategy and other development issues.
Caltius Capital Management
Principal: James B. Upchurch, Chief Executive
Capital Under Management: $269 million
Portfolio: DavexLabs LLC, Northwest Coatings, CRC Health Corp., La Dove Inc.
Description: Formed in 1999 as Libra Capital Partners. Invests in small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. Invests up to $10 million, and seeks controlling or substantial minority ownership positions.
Celerity Partners
Principal: Stephen E. Adamson, Managing Partner/Los Angeles
Capital Under Management: $200 million
Portfolio: ABC Laboratories, Control Room Technologies, Financial Pacific, Nu Visions
Description: Formed in 1995, focuses on companies with revenues from $2 million to $20 million. Invests in growth equity, de-leveraging investments, management buyouts, corporate divestitures, recapitalizations, significant management equity ownership.
Century Park Capital Partners L.P.
Principals: Martin M. Jelenko, Martin A. Sarafa, Managing Partners
Capital Under Management: $107 million
Portfolio: Becker Underwood Inc, Berkley Industries LLC, Dickinson Frozen Foods Inc., Kidslines Inc.
Description: Makes minority or controlling interest investments in growing middle-market companies with revenues ranging from $20 million to $200 million. Long-term equity investments typically range from $5 million to $15 million.
Clarity Partners
Principals: David Lee, Barry Porter, Stephen P. Rader, R. Rudolph Reinfrank, Managing General Partners
Capital Under Management: $800 million
Portfolio: Impremedia LLC, Vue Entertainment Ltd., Woosh Wireless, Oxygen Media
Description: Formed in 2000, leads or sponsors transactions in which it invests $25 million to $200 million, including the formation of operating companies that over time could require substantial additional capital, active board-level strategic guidance, equity capital and assistance with technology, marketing, operating and financing issues.
E*Capital Corp.
Principal: Eric Wedbush, President
Capital Under Management: $150 million
Portfolio: Acurex Corp., Environmental Elements Corp., Northrim Bancorp Inc., PAR Technology Corp.
Description: Both private equity and venture capital, invests in private and public companies with revenues greater than $5 million. Actively involved with portfolio companies, targeted investment size of between $3 million to $7 million. Will take minority or majority ownership, emphasis on Western U.S. and California.
Gores Technology Group LLC
Principal: Alec E. Gores, Chairman
Capital Under Management: $400 million
Portfolio: Adventa Control Technologies Inc., Omni Tech, QuorTech Solutions Inc., Revere Inc.
Description: Formed in 1987, focused on control-oriented buyouts. Revenues at acquired businesses typically range from $20 million to several billion dollars. Serves on the board of directors and as a resource for strategy.
Hancock Park Associates
Principal: Michael J. Fourticq Sr., Managing Partner
Capital Under Management: Not Available
Portfolio: Fitness Holdings, Synchronous Aerospace Group, The Right Stuff, Saleen, Stanton International
Description: Formed in 1986, acquires controlling interests in small- to medium-sized companies with revenues of between $50 million and $100 million. Takes active approach in managing, invests an average of $10 million to $15 million in each company. Focused on Western U.S.
Leonard Green & Partners
Principals: John G. Danhakl, Peter J. Nolan, Jonathan D. Sokoloff, Managing Partners
Capital Under Management: $3.7 billion
Portfolio: Arrow Group Industries Inc., Liberty Group Publishing Inc., MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., White Cap Industries Inc.
Description: Formed in 1989, makes equity investments of between $50 million and $250 million. Targets cash-flow positive businesses that have the ability to grow by at least 50 percent over five years. Takes active role in management.
Levine Leichtman Capital
Partners
Principal: Lauren Leichtman, Chief Executive
Capital Under Management: $1 billion
Portfolio: CiCi’s Pizza, Consumer Portfolio Services Inc., Interdent Inc., Overhill Farms Inc.
Description: Founded in 1985, makes structured equity investments in middle-market companies with revenues between $50 million and $750 million headquartered in the Western U.S. Investments range from $10 million to $75 million.
Oaktree Capital
Management LLC
Principal: Howard S. Marks, Chairman
Capital Under Management: Not Available
Portfolio: Not Available
Description: Formed in 1995. Private investments and marketable securities. Obtains control or substantial influence, often through the medium of distress.
Pasadena Capital Partners LLC
Principal: Gregory J. Annick, Chief Executive
Capital Under Management: Not Applicable
Portfolio: Not Applicable
Description: Seeks controlling stake in partnership with owner/managers in small- and middle-market companies headquartered throughout the U.S., with an emphasis on Southern California. Targets companies valued between $50 million and $150 million, investing $10 million to $30 million for controlling equity investment.
Pegasus Management Group
Principal: Patrick F. Whelan, President
Capital Under Management: Not Applicable
Portfolio: Poma Corp., Calwax Corp., TOG Manufacturing Co.
Description: Formed in 1994, acquires profitable middle-market companies with $5 million to $75 million in annual revenue located in the United States and Canada. Focuses on established, non-technology intensive niche manufacturing companies.
Platinum Equity LLC
Principal: Tom T. Gores, Chief Executive
Capital Under Management: Would Not Disclose
Portfolio: Broadspire, Data2Logistics, NextiraOne, Process Software
Description: Formed in 1995, acquires technology businesses that provide services and support to the infrastructure and systems of other companies. Targets corporate divestitures and public-to-private opportunities.
Putnam Lovell Capital
Partners Inc.
Principal: Jeffrey D. Lovell, Managing Partner
Capital Under Management: $150 million
Portfolio: Atlantic Asset Management, Berkeley Capital Management LLC, Powell Johnson Inc.
Description: Private capital affiliate of National Bank Financial, formed to provide growth capital to developing companies in the financial services industry with an investment range of $5 million to 20 million.
Riordan Lewis & Haden
Principal: J. Christopher Lewis, General Partner
Capital Under Management: $200 million
Portfolio: Bradshaw International, Financial Pacific, Foundstone, ITS Corp.
Description: Formed in 1980, invests in privately held companies headquartered in California with sales in the range of $20 million to $150 million. Seeks to invest $5 million to $15 million per transaction and partner with other equity sources for larger transactions.
Sage Capital Partners L.P.
Principal: Brad de Koning, Managing Director
Capital Under Management: $40 million
Portfolio: Asphalt Zipper Inc., PGI Inc.
Description: Formed in 1996, focuses on small- and mid-sized companies with revenues between $5 million and $75 million. Invests in management-led buyouts, expansion financing and recapitalizations. Will take majority or minority positions in companies.
Seidler Equity Partners LP
Principals: Peter Seidler, Robert Seidler, Eric Kutsenda, Partners
Capital Under Management: $450 million
Portfolio: Sweda Co., Magnet LLC, Benchmark Industries LLC, LA Fitness LLC
Description: Formed in 2000, acquires and invests in middle-market manufacturing and service businesses with revenues of $10 million to $200 million. Transactions include family business recapitalization, management buyouts, growth financing, estate-planning transactions and partner buyouts.
Shamrock Capital Advisors Inc.
Principal: Stanley P. Gold, Chief Executive
Capital Under Management: $2 billion
Portfolio: Triad Broadcasting Inc., NetGear Inc., Tadiran Communications, Premier Retail Networks, Pelephone Communications Ltd.
Description: Formed in 1978 as Roy E. Disney’s family investment firm, focuses on small to mid-market companies mainly in United States, Israel and Australia. Prefers equity investments of $15 million to $50 million in North America and $5 million to $20 million in Israel.
