Canadian specialty finance firm Crown Capital Partners has provided a $12 million term loan to DATA Communications Management Corp (TSX: DCM), a Brampton, Ontario-based business communication solutions provider. The loan’s proceeds will be used in part to support DCM’s acquisition of Perennial Group of Companies, which includes Perennial Inc, a Toronto-based provider of design strategies for major retail brands, and The Finished Line Studios Inc, a Bolton, Ontario-based art studio. In a separate release, DCM said the deal, expected to close this month, reflects a purchase price of about $12 million.
PRESS RELEASE
Crown Capital Partners Completes $12.0 Million Term Loan with DATA Communications Management Corp.
Financing supports acquisition of the Perennial Group of Companies
CALGARY, May 1, 2018 /CNW/ – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown”) (TSX: CRWN), which provides growth capital to successful mid-market companies, today announced the closing of a $12.0 million term loan to DATA Communications Management Corp. (“DCM”) (TSX:DCM), a leading provider of integrated business communication solutions to companies across North America.
Founded in 1959, DCM’s core capabilities include direct marketing, commercial print services, labels and asset tracking, event tickets and gift cards, logistics and fulfilment, content and workflow management, data management and analytics, and regulatory communications. The company serves clients in key vertical markets such as financial services, retail, healthcare, lottery and gaming, not-for-profit, and energy. DCM is strategically located with six facilities across Canada to support clients on a national basis, and serves the U.S. market through facilities in Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York.
DCM will use part of the proceeds of the term loan to acquire the Perennial Group of Companies (the “Perennial Group”), which includes Perennial Inc., one of Canada’s leading design firms focused on creating and delivering design strategies for major retail brands in Canada and around the world, and The Finished Line Studios, an independent, multi-function creative, execution and production art studio. The Perennial Group has a 25-year track record of retail strategy design and execution for many of North America’s top brands in the retail, financial services and consumer packaged goods markets. Crown’s financing will also be used for debt repayment and general working capital purposes.
“DCM is a well-established company with a significant revenue base and history of strong free cash flow, and we are pleased to support them as they continue to expand through acquisition and transition to a marketing communications-focused provider,” said Chris Johnson, Crown’s President & CEO. “Among the reasons we like DCM is its diversified, blue-chip customer base – and its track record of retaining these customers. The Perennial acquisition brings additional high-quality customers and complementary capabilities to deliver design strategies for leading brands.”
“Crown’s non-dilutive financing was the right solution for DCM and we look forward to working with the Crown team as we execute on our growth plan,” said Michael Sifton, CEO of DCM. “The Perennial acquisition, combined with the acquisitions we completed in 2017 and positive sales momentum in our core business, bodes well for improved performance in 2018.”
The Agreement provides for a $12.0 million term loan to DCM by Crown Capital Fund IV, LP, an investment fund managed by Crown and in which Crown holds a 36.5% interest. The term loan bears a fixed interest rate of 10% per annum, matures in 60 months, and includes the issue to Crown of warrants to acquire 960,000 common shares of DCM.
ABOUT CROWN
Crown (TSX: CRWN) is a specialty finance company focused on providing capital to successful Canadian and select U.S. companies. Crown also manages capital pools, including some in which Crown has a direct ownership interest. Crown originates, structures and provides tailored special situation and long-term financing solutions to a diversified group of private and public mid-market companies in the form of loans, royalties and other structures with minimal or no ownership dilution.
For further information: Craig Armitage, Investor Relations, craig.armitage@crowncapital.ca, (416) 347-8954
Photo courtesy of DATA Communications Management Corp