The Gores Group

The Gores Group is a private equity firm specializing in acquiring and partnering with mature and growing businesses. The company was founded in 1987 by its CEO and chairman, Alec E. Gores.[1]

The Gores Group, LLC
TypeLimited liability company
IndustryFinancial services
Asset management
Founded1987 (1987)
FounderAlec Gores, chairman & CEO
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
ProductsPrivate equity
Websitewww.gores.com

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with an office in Boulder, Colorado, and is investing from Gores Capital Partners III, L.P. and Gores Small Capitalization Partners, L.P., which have approximately $1.5 billion and $300 million in capital commitments, respectively. Since 1987, Gores has successfully acquired and operated more than 80 companies.[2]

The company's portfolio as of 2021, includes technology, telecommunications, business services, industrial, media and entertainment and consumer products companies.[3]

History

In 1978, Alec Gores founded Executive Business Systems, a hardware and software distributor, which he sold eight years later to establish what has become the Gores Group today.[4]

Gores closed its first institutional private equity fund, Gores Capital Partners, L.P., in November 2003 with $400 million of committed capital.[5] The firm's second fund, Gores Capital Partners II, L.P. held a final closing in June 2007 with $1.3 billion of committed capital.[6]

1978
  • Alec Gores launches his own computer company, Executive Business System (EBS), with $10,000; eight years later, he sells EBS for approximately $2 million current.[7]

1987
  • The Gores Group is founded by Alec Gores with the single vision to buy, fix and sell businesses.[8]

1997

1998

2000

2001

2003
  • Netherlands-based Anker BV, an independent European supplier of point of sale technology, was acquired, positioning Gores as an investor in Europe.[14]
  • The firm launches Gores Capital Partners, its first private equity fund.[7]

2004
  • Gores opens its London office, after several years of investment activity in the U.K. and Europe.[7]

2007
  • Gores closed on $1.3 billion in capital for its second institutional fund, Gores Capital Partners II, L.P.[15]

2008
  • Gores announced a joint venture with Siemens AG for enterprise communication business.[16]

2010

2011
  • Gores sells Lineage Power to General Electric in what is the largest sale transaction in Gores’ history.[19]
  • Gores closes on $2.1 billion in capital commitments for its third institutional fund, Gores Capital Partners III, L.P.[20]
  • Gores acquires an 81.25% majority interest in fashion company Mexx for $85 Million

2012
  • Gores Small Capitalization Partners, L.P. sells $300 million in commitments, expanding Gores’ resources for small and lower middle market investments.[21]
  • Acquires Harris Broadcast from Harris Corporation in December.[22]

2013
  • Stock Building Supply goes public, marking Gores' first U.S. IPO.[23]

2014
  • Gores announces plans to close 34 subsidiaries of 45 in total located in Germany and being part of Unify. Close downs are expected to be completed by Q2/2015.
  • Gores acquired a 51% stake in Hovis Bread
  • Gores sold Norment to Cornerstone, a full service detention equipment contractor based in Alabama[24]
  • Gores sells Sage Automotive Interiors to Clearlake Capital[25]
  • Gores sells Scovill Fasteners to Morito Co., Ltd., a leading global supplier of apparel fasteners[26]

Recognition
  • On September 26, 2013, Cosmo Specialty Fibers was awarded the Chain-of-custody certification by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. This certification recognizes Cosmo Specialty Fibers for using wood fiber sourced through sustainable forestry practices.[27]
  • On May 27, 2013, Ford Motor Company announced that it is working with Gores’ Portfolio Company, Sage Automotive Interiors, to accelerate the development of recycled fabrics. Sage is Ford’s largest fabric supplier in North America, and provides Ford with fabric made from industrial waste and clear plastic water bottles. The 2013 Ford Fusion is the first vehicle sold around the world to use recycled fabrics.[28]

Representative transactions
  • January 27, 2014: The Gores Group announced that it has reached a conditional agreement with Premier Foods to operate its bread business as a stand-alone venture under the name of Hovis Limited in order to increase operational efficiencies and grow the Hovis brand.[29]
  • August 14, 2013: Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:STCK) announced that it has closed its previously announced underwritten initial public offering of 7,000,000 shares of common stock at the price to the public of $14.00 per share. The underwriters exercised in their full option to purchase an additional 1,050,000 shares of common stock from certain selling stockholders, resulting in a total initial public offering size of 8,050,000 shares.[30]
  • July 30, 2013: Gores’ portfolio company, The Hay Group, announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Metallumform, an integrated manufacturer of forged machined automotive components with two plants in Germany. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.[31]
  • January 2, 2013: The Gores Group announced that it had completed the acquisition of Therakos, Inc. from Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.[32]
  • December 14, 2012: Charles Bank Capital Partners announced that it acquired United Road Services from The Gores Group for an undisclosed amount. Kathleen McCann, president and CEO, will continue to lead the company.[33]
  • October 15, 2012: The Gores Group announced that it extended a binding offer to acquire Therakos, Inc. from Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Therakos is company developing products for extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) immune modulation therapy. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.[34]
  • August 17, 2011: The Carlyle Group announced that it had completed the acquisition of French-based Sagemcom, a global high-technology group specializing in broadband communications and energy activities, from The Gores Group. Carlyle said in a statement it now owned 70 percent of Sagemcom, while the company's management and employees had the remaining 30 percent. Sagemcom has more than 6,000 employees globally and posted sales of 1.4 billion euros in 2010.[35]
  • May 9, 2011: The Gores Group announced that it partnered with management to acquire Sage Automotive Interiors, Inc., a supplier of specialty fabric materials for the automotive industry, a portfolio company of Azalea Capital, LLC.[36]
  • January 13, 2011: General Electric Co. agreed to buy Lineage Power Holdings Inc. for $520 million from The Gores Group. Lineage supplies equipment that converts power to direct current from alternating current as well as power-module and data-center systems in the $20 billion micro power source industry.[37]

Portfolio

Current

  • Imagine Communications - Developer of advanced broadband video processing equipment
  • TurbineAero - Manufacturer of industrial parts and components, specializing in the design and production of aerospace and hot-section components. also offers maintenance, repair and overhaul services to military, commercial, original equipment manufacturers and aircraft operators
  • US Farathane - Manufacturer and supplier of functional black plastic, interior and exterior plastic components intended to innovate and pair with solid value

Select Exited

SPACs

Beginning in 2015, Gores Holdings was announced, specializing in special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).[38] It was credited with starting the SPAC revival with their first SPAC transaction in Hostess Brands.[39] Gores is considered one of the most prolific investors in the SPAC space, having created 13 SPACs, more than any other single investor,[40] and The Gores Group is considered a premier SPAC sponsor.[41][42][43]

Gores announced or completed more than seven SPAC transactions representing over $36 billion in transaction value.[44]

  • Hostess – consumer, maker of Twinkies. Partnered with Apollo and Dean Metropoulos
  • Verra – technology mobility services business. Instrumental for safety, specializing in red light cameras, school bus safety, and tolling[45]
  • PAE – government logistics services business with large government contracts[46]
  • Luminar – first high growth, technology company. Leader in the automotive Lidar space. Partnered with founder, Austin Russell[47]
  • United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) – mortgage tech business. Largest SPAC transaction to date[48][49]
  • Matterport – 3D spatial data company revolutionizing the real estate tech space[50]
  • Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) – metal packaging for consumer products. Largest SPAC spin out of public company.[51] Merger with Gores Holdings V, raising almost $1 billion in gross proceeds[52]
  • Sonder – a hospitality company. Merger with Gores Metropoulos II[53]
  • Polestar – a global premium EV company. Publicly listed through combination with Gores Guggenheim, Inc. Resulted in an implied enterprise value of $20 billion[54]

Gores launched Gores Holdings VII and Gores Holdings VIII in 2021,[55] and publicly filed for Gores Technology Partners and Gores Technology Partners II,[56] as well as Gores Guggenheim,[57] the latter in partnership with Guggenheim Partners.

References
  1. "Our History". The Gores Group. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  2. "Overview". The Gores Group. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  3. "Portfolio". The Gores Group. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  4. "Fixer-upper pro loves a challenge". Docstoc.com.
  5. "Manta - Rediscover America's Small Business". Manta.
  6. "Alec Gores: '100% devoted' to private equity", Fortune, February 16, 2011
  7. "The Gores Group – The Gores Group".
  8. "Company Overview of the Gores Group LLC", Bloomberg Business Week
  9. "Gores Technology Group Acquires CSC Artemis", AECNews (archived), March 1, 1997
  10. "Gores Technology Group Acquires Connection Machines Services Business Unit", The Gores Group, April 16, 1997
  11. "Gores Acquires TI CIM Unit", Software Intensive Systems Engineering, June 15, 1998
  12. "Learning Co. Profits From Expense Cuts", SF Gate, March 6, 2001
  13. The Associated Press (2001-05-11). "Gores Technology to Acquire VeriFone - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  14. "Gores Technology Group Announces the Acquisition of Anker B.V.", PR Newswire, February 27, 2003
  15. "Gores Fund is looking to close Smaller Deals", Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2007
  16. "The Gores Group and Siemens AG Complete Transaction", Bloomberg, October 1, 2008
  17. Wikipedia Vincotech Article (In German)
  18. "Gores Group Completes Sale of Vinotech", PE Hub, January 5, 2011
  19. "GE Energy to Acquire Gores Group's Lineage Power Holdings", Bloomberg, January 13, 2011
  20. "The Gores Group closes $2 billion private equity fund", CPI Financial
  21. "The Gores Group Debuts New Fund" (Press release). 7 March 2012.
  22. Harris Corporation. "Harris Corporation to Sell Broadcast Communications to The Gores Group for $225 Million".
  23. "Stock Building Supply files to go public". Triangle Business Journal. 18 June 2013.
  24. "The Gores Group Sells Norment Security Group to Cornerstone Detention Products" (PDF).
  25. "The Gores Group Sells Sage Automotive Interiors to Clearlake Capital Group" (PDF).
  26. "The Gores Group Sells Sage Automotive Interiors to Clearlake Capital Group" (PDF).
  27. "Cosmo Specialty Fibers Awarded PEFC Chain-of-Custody Certification". Aberdeen, Washington: KBKW.
  28. Joann Muller (27 May 2013). "Ford's Global Ambitions Include Turning The World's Plastic Bottles Into Car Parts". Forbes.
  29. "Premier Foods in Hovis partnership with US Gores Group". FoodManufacture.co.uk. 27 January 2014.
  30. "Stock Building Supply Announces Closing of IPO - DWM/Shelter Magazine". 16 August 2013.
  31. "The Hay Group Announces the Acquisition of Metallumform".
  32. "The Gores Group Completes the Acquisition of Therakos, Inc. from Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. - Business Wire" (Press release). 2 January 2013.
  33. "News - Charlesbank". charlesbank.com.
  34. "The Gores Group Extends Binding Offer to Acquire Therakos, Inc. from Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. - Business Wire" (Press release). 15 October 2012.
  35. "Carlyle says finalises buy of France's Sagemcom from The Gores Group", Reuters, August 20, 2011
  36. "The Gores Group Acquires Sage Automotive Interiors", Yahoo Finance, May 9, 2011
  37. "GE Energy to Acquire Gores Group's Lineage Power Holdings for $520 Million", Bloomberg, January 13, 2011
  38. "The Beverly Hills blank check: Gores Holdings files and sets terms for $400 million IPO". www.nasdaq.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  39. "Hostess Brands Returns to Wall Street". www.forbes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  40. "The Man With More SPACs Than Anyone". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  41. "Billionaire Gores backs Matterport listing with $2.9 bln blank-check deal". www.nasdaq.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  42. "Gores-backed SPACs to raise $640 million through IPOs". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  43. "Alec Gores SPAC Deal Turns $25,000 Into $80 Million in Months". Bloomberg. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  44. "Ardagh Metal Packaging to Combine With Gores Holdings V and List on NYSE". www.businesswire.com (Press release). 23 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  45. "Mesa tech company goes public in $2.4 billion reverse merger". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  46. "Gores Holdings III Takes PAE Public After Deal Completion; John Heller Quoted". www.govconwire.com. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  47. "Founder, funder explain deal behind Luminar's $8B 'blank check' market debut (Video)". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  48. "United Wholesale Mortgage Goes Public in Biggest SPAC Deal Ever". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  49. "The private equity shop that took Twinkies public leads the largest SPAC merger yet". www.fortune.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  50. "Billionaire Gores backs Matterport listing with $2.9 bln blank-check deal". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  51. "Ardagh Metal Packaging to Go Public Through $8.5 Billion PE-Backed SPAC Deal". www.morningstar.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  52. "Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. and Gores Holdings V Announce Completion of Business Combination" (PDF).
  53. "Lodging Firm Sonder Agrees to $2.2 Billion Gores SPAC Merger". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  54. Hawkins, Andrew J. (September 27, 2021). "Electric car company Polestar is going public via SPAC". The Verge. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  55. "The Gores Group launches yet another SPAC". www.pitchbook.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  56. "The Gores Group's second tech SPAC Gores Technology Partners II files for a $400 million IPO". www.nasdaq.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  57. "UPDATE 1-Alec Gores, Guggenheim-backed SPAC seeks to raise $750 million via IPO". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
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