Vestar Capital Partners to Make Majority Investment in PetHonesty, a Leader in Premium Pet Supplements
NEW YORK, July 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestar Capital Partners, a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm, announced today that it has agreed to make a majority investment in PetHonesty (or "the Company"), a trusted leader in premium pet health products providing high-quality, innovative pet supplements. PetHonesty co-founders Ben and Camille Arneberg will retain a significant minority stake in the Company, and Mr. Arneberg will continue to serve as CEO. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2018, PetHonesty is a highly differentiated brand known for its strong focus on product innovation and premium ingredients backed by nutritional science. PetHonesty's products are formulated to help address a range of common pet ailments, including mobility, digestion, and allergies, providing a healthy supplement to traditional pet diets. Based in Austin, TX, with a second office in New York City, the Company sells its products direct to consumers via its website as well as through partners such as Amazon and Chewy.
"PetHonesty is a fast-growing company that has built a passionate following of pet-loving consumers, and we're excited to partner with Ben and the entire team as the Company builds on its success," said Winston Song, Managing Director and Co-Head of Consumer at Vestar. "Pet parents have shown they are deeply committed to purchasing premium products, and PetHonesty is well positioned as the pet humanization trend and pet ownership continues to grow. We look forward to leveraging our consumer and pet category experience to help PetHonesty expand its brand and reach new customers."
"Our vision was to create the most trusted pet health company that empowers pet owners to offer their pets healthier and higher quality lives, and our partnership with Vestar is the next step in that journey," said Mr. Arneberg. "We have been fortunate to find the right partner in Vestar, which remains committed to our business strategy and will help provide the financial backing, industry relationships and category expertise needed to build on our momentum."
In conjunction with Vestar's investment, Jeffrey Ansell, a Vestar Senior Advisor and 35+ year consumer industry veteran, will join the PetHonesty board as Chairman. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ansell was a Procter & Gamble ("P&G") executive for 25 years, the last seven of those as President of the Iams company, following P&G's $2.3 billion acquisition in 1999. During his tenure leading P&G Pet Care, sales of iconic brands Iams and Eukanuba more than doubled from under $800 million to over $1.6 billion, and Iams became the #1 pet nutrition brand in the U.S. Mr. Ansell currently serves as Chairman, or member of the Board, for several other Vestar portfolio companies.
Vestar has deep experience in pet food and the broader better-for-you (BFY) food industry. The firm previously owned Big Heart Pet Brands, whose products include Meow Mix, Milk-Bone and Natural Balance. Some of Vestar's current BFY food investments include Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, a manufacturer of better-for-you plant-based foods; Simple Mills, an innovative, market-leading better-for-you cracker, cookie and baking mix brand in the natural and organic channel; and Presence Marketing, the leading national sales broker dedicated exclusively to representing natural and organic food, beverage and personal care brands.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel and William Blair acted as financial advisor to Vestar. Egan Nelson LLP served as legal counsel and Lincoln International acted as financial advisor to PetHonesty.
About PetHonesty
Based in Austin, TX and founded in 2018, PetHonesty is a trusted leader in pet health, providing premium pet supplements and products. The Company's pet products are formulated to help address a range of common pet ailments, including mobility, digestion, and allergies, providing a healthy supplement to traditional pet diets. PetHonesty products are available via its website as well as through Amazon and Chewy. For more information, please visit www.pethonesty.com.
About Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners is a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams and private owners to build long-term enterprise value, with a focus on Consumer, Business & Technology Services and Healthcare. Since its founding in 1988, Vestar funds have invested $8 billion in 85 companies – as well as more than 200 add-on acquisitions – with a total value of approximately $50 billion. For more information on Vestar, please visit www.vestarcapital.com.
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SOURCE Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners Acquires Stratus, a Global Leader in Brand Implementation and Facilities Services, from Arcapita
NEW YORK, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Vestar Capital Partners (“Vestar”), a leading middle-market private equity firm, announced today that it has acquired Stratus (or “the Company”), a market-leading asset-light facilities services provider, from Arcapita Group Holdings (“Arcapita”), a global alternative investments firm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
CEO and founder Tim Eippert and the Company’s senior leadership team will continue to lead Stratus and will reinvest in the transaction alongside Vestar. Arcapita will also retain a minority stake in the Company.
Founded in 1953 and based in Mentor, OH, Stratus serves a highly diversified base of blue-chip customers including some of the leading Fortune 100 brands in 50 states and 24 countries across a broad range of end markets, including healthcare, financial services, QSR, convenience stores, and telecom. The Company offers best-in-class customer service and integrated solutions, enabled by a differentiated technology suite and unmatched expertise and scale. Under Arcapita’s ownership, Stratus more than tripled its revenue to over $300 million, while completing multiple add-on acquisitions to expand the Company’s customer base and product offerings.
“Stratus is fortunate to have found a true partner in Vestar, which shares our customer-centric philosophy and vision for growth, and has a deep understanding of our industry,” said Mr. Eippert. “We look forward to leveraging Vestar’s strategic relationships, capital, and operational expertise alongside our ongoing partnership with Arcapita, working together to continue building our capabilities for the benefit of our valued customers.”
“Stratus’ significant investments in systems and operational infrastructure, deep understanding of its customers’ needs, and relentless focus on service excellence have enabled its growth into a scaled nationwide platform,” said Nikhil Bhat, Vestar Managing Director and Co-Head of Business & Technology Services. “The Company has an attractive opportunity to expand into complementary service lines and reinforce its current offerings through acquisition and continued investment in the platform. We are excited to partner with Tim and his exceptional management team to help accelerate the next stage of Stratus’ growth.”
Martin Tan, Arcapita’s Chief Investment Officer, commented, “Arcapita is extremely proud of Stratus’ transformation into the leading national brand implementation company that it is today. With Arcapita’s support, Stratus has been able to expand its services and product offerings, as well as expand its footprint across the US. Stratus’ success is a testament to Arcapita’s dedicated approach of investing in good companies and providing them with the resources to realize their ambitions. We are confident that with the current strength of the Stratus bench and Vestar’s added support, the Company will continue to enjoy the rapid growth we have achieved, in the coming years.”
William Blair and Citizens M&A Advisory acted as financial advisors and King & Spalding served as legal counsel to Stratus. Robert W. Baird & Co. acted as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Vestar.
About Stratus
Stratus is a leading brand implementation and facilities services company offering signage solutions, energy services, repair and maintenance programs, and refresh and remodel capabilities across 50 states and 24 countries. With more than 50,000 projects completed annually, the Company provides versatile solutions for some of the world’s largest and most recognized brands. For more information, please visit www.stratusunlimited.com.
About Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners is a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams and private owners to build long-term enterprise value, with a focus on Consumer, Business & Technology Services and Healthcare. Since its founding in 1988, Vestar funds have invested $8 billion in 85 companies – as well as more than 200 add-on acquisitions – with a total value of approximately $50 billion. For more information on Vestar, please visit www.vestarcapital.com.
About Arcapita
Arcapita is a global alternative investment manager, with offices in Atlanta, London and Singapore and an affiliated office in Bahrain. Arcapita’s principal lines of business are private equity and real estate, and its management has a 24-year track record of over 90 investments with total transaction value in excess of $30 billion. Further details on Arcapita can be found at www.arcapita.com
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For Vestar:
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or
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For Arcapita
Tariq Hayat
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Mobile +973 39 461103
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or
Brunswick
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LERETA Announces Sale To Flexpoint Ford And Vestar Capital Partners
COVINA, CA, July 6, 2021– LERETA, LLC (“LERETA” or “the Company”), a leading national provider of real estate tax and flood services for mortgage servicers, and its equity holders, including funds managed by Tarsadia Investments, LLC, announced today that they have reached an agreement to sell the Company to private equity firms Flexpoint Ford and Vestar Capital Partners. The transaction is expected to close within 30 days.
LERETA’s chief executive officer, John Walsh, and the current senior management team will continue to lead the Company.
LERETA serves more than 4,000 customers nationwide. The Company processes more than $17 billion in tax payments annually and monitors more than 25 million loans for flood determinations. Over the past two years, the Company has met 99.9% of its service level agreements for all customers.
Commenting on the transaction, Walsh said, “Flexpoint Ford and Vestar Capital Partners represent an ideal partnership for LERETA. The combination of these two well-regarded firms provides deep experience in financial services and a wealth of knowledge around scaling and enhancing technology. LERETA has distinguished itself by providing a high level of customer service in our markets. As a result, we’ve been successful in adding new customers and building market share. This transaction will enable us to accelerate our already strong growth, step up our investments in technology and scale our operations to address the changing needs of the mortgage servicing industry.”
“We found that LERETA’s customers really valued its flexibility, attentiveness and white-glove customer service. The Company’s planned increase in technology investments will continue to further enhance its customers’ experience,” said Steve Begleiter, Managing Director at Flexpoint Ford. “We are thrilled to partner with John, the LERETA team and Vestar in the next chapter of LERETA’s success. The Company’s focus on providing best-in-class service and the planned investment in its technology positions the business for an exciting future,” added Arjun Thimmaya, Managing Director, Flexpoint Ford.
“LERETA’s robust systems and service-oriented, client-first approach have enabled the Company to deliver high-quality, regulatory-compliant solutions for its customers’ most complex needs for over 35 years,” said Nikhil Bhat, Managing Director and Co-Head of Business & Technology Services at Vestar Capital Partners. “We are excited to support management as they accelerate the Company’s technology investments, further enhancing the speed, accuracy, and reliability of LERETA’s products while facilitating seamless integration with customers’ mission-critical workflows.”
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Rothschild & Co served as the lead financial advisor to LERETA and its board of managers, and Kirkland & Ellis, LLP served as legal counsel to LERETA. American Discovery Capital also served as a financial advisor to LERETA and its board of managers. Raymond James served as financial advisor to Flexpoint Ford and Vestar Capital Partners. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to Flexpoint Ford. Kirkland & Ellis, LLP served as legal counsel to Vestar Capital Partners.
About LERETA
Since 1986, LERETA has provided the mortgage and insurance industries the fastest, most accurate and complete access to property tax data and flood hazard status information across the U.S. LERETA is committed to giving customers extraordinary service and cost-effective property tax and flood solutions. LERETA’s services are designed to increase efficiency, reduce penalties and liabilities and improve processes for mortgage originators and servicers. LERETA’s dedicated teams of real estate tax and flood professionals along with LERETA’s experienced management team allow the company to lead the industry in service and technology.
Flexpoint Ford is a private equity investment firm that has raised more than $5 billion in capital and specializes in privately negotiated investments in the financial services and healthcare industries. Since the firm’s formation in 2005, Flexpoint Ford has completed investments in more than 40 companies across a broad range of investment sizes, structures and asset classes. Flexpoint Ford is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in New York, New York. For more information about Flexpoint Ford, please visit www.flexpointford.com.
About Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners is a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams and private owners to build long-term enterprise value, with a focus on Business & Technology Services, Consumer, and Healthcare. Since its founding in 1988, Vestar funds have invested $8 billion in 85 companies – as well as more than 200 add-on acquisitions – with a total value of approximately $50 billion. For more information on Vestar, please visit www.vestarcapital.com.
About Tarsadia Investments
Tarsadia Investments is the California-based investment management company of a single-family office. Tarsadia Investments has a flexible and long-duration investment mandate that enables it to invest across multiple stages of maturity and asset classes. Its current portfolio includes majority investments in privately held companies and minority investments in venture- and growth-stage businesses.
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Media Contact:
Bill Campbell
Campbell Lewis
212-995-8057
Accanto Health Announced As Company Name For Recently Merged Veritas Collaborative and The Emily Program
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The recently merged Veritas Collaborative and The Emily Program today announced the name of its parent company, unveiling "Accanto Health." Accanto, which means "beside" in Italian, represents the company's commitment to be with those they serve the whole way on their journey. Accanto Health will maintain both brand names of its leading eating disorders programs, The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative.
"Everyone we serve is on a journey, whether early on in that journey or further along. We believe we are building a relationship with them to help them get to a better place. The impact we have will last a lifetime," said Dave Willcutts, CEO of the newly named Accanto Health. "We want to be beside everyone we serve for as much of the journey as they need our help."
Accanto will retain the highly respected The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative brands in their respective markets across Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Accanto is committed to expanding access to care while maintaining the highest level of clinical integrity and treatment standards.
"We know clients and families rely on The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative brands to deliver warm, high-quality expertise, care, and support," said Willcutts. "We will continue to work to exceed their expectations as they put their trust in us to be with them the whole way in recovery. We also know the need for eating disorder treatment exceeds the availability of services. Accanto is committed to bringing care to more people in more places."
About Accanto Health
Accanto Health, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a national healthcare company specializing in eating disorders and related disorders, with two nationally known eating disorder brands, The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative, collectively offering care in 20 locations across 7 states: Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Recognizing that one size does not fit all, Accanto Health programs provide exceptional, individualized care for people with eating disorders of all ages in a gender-diverse and inclusive environment, incorporating an array of individual, group, and family therapy, nutrition, psychiatry, medical care, yoga, education, and support services. Services are offered across a full continuum of care including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call 1-888-EMILY-77 or visit accanto.com
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Contact: [email protected] or Jillian Lampert, Chief Strategy Officer, 651.428.4654
SOURCE Accanto Health
