News
Svoboda Capital Partners LLC Announces Major Recapitalization of GPA
October 04, 2011 — Svoboda Capital Partners LLC (“SC”) today announced it has partnered with Management, Ellipse Capital, and Northstar Capital (“Northstar”) to recapitalize GPA (“GPA” or the “Company”). This transaction is the seventh investment for Svoboda, Collins Fund II L.P. PNC Bank provided a senior debt facility and Northstar provided subordinated debt to complete the transaction.
Founded in 1940, GPA is North America’s largest independent provider of specialty printable substrate solutions, supplying pressure-sensitive label paper, films, and specialty substrates to the printing industry. The Company is a value-added partner to commercial printers, providing quick fulfillment of time-sensitive orders, comprehensive product knowledge, extensive product availability, and specialized converting services to over 6,400 customers throughout the United States and Canada.
“GPA has established itself as a leading provider of specialty printable substrate solutions and a value-added partner to its customers,” said Rick Harpster, Principal at Svoboda Capital Partners. “We look forward to maintaining the strong culture that GPA has developed and are excited to be renewing our partnership with their outstanding management team as the Company enters its next phase of growth.”
“On behalf of the GPA leadership team, we are very excited about the opportunity to continue our work providing value to our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Tom Brooker, Chief Executive Officer of GPA.
About GPAFor more information, please visit www.askgpa.com.
About Svoboda Capital Partners LLCSvoboda Capital Partners LLC is a Chicago-based private equity firm with over $250 million of capital under management. Founded in 1998, SC identifies, invests in and helps build excellent businesses in its targeted business niches: value-added distribution, consumer products and business services. SC typically makes investments of $10 to $25 million per company as the sole investor or in partnership with other private equity firms.
About Ellipse CapitalEllipse Capital is a private investment firm focused exclusively on value-added distribution businesses across a broad range of end-markets. Ellipse sources and invests in growth oriented, lower middle market distribution businesses valued between $15 and $75 million. For more information, please visit www.ellipsecapital.com.
About Northstar CapitalNorthstar Capital provides subordinated debt and equity to companies with earnings that range from $3 to $25 million. Northstar manages over $1 billion in capital and specializes in private equity sponsored transactions including management led buyouts, refinancings, and dividend recapitalizations. Northstar has specific experience in food, niche manufacturing, value-added distribution, healthcare services, insurance services, consumer products, environmental services, industrial services, specialty chemicals, and education. For more information, please visit www.northstarcapital.com.
About PNCPNC Bank, N.A. is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com), one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news, updates and announcements from PNC.
