GB Credit Partners, LLC, the investment management affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, LLC, announced that it has entered into a €6 million ($8.3 million) financing transaction with Ideal Standard International SA, one of the world’s leading providers of bathroom solutions. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Ideal Standard International is principally owned by Bain Capital, the Boston-based investment management and financial services company. The transaction is supported by machinery & equipment located in the UK and Germany, as well as real estate located in the UK.
GB Credit Partners utilized the internal expertise of its affiliate, Gordon Brothers Europe, to analyze and determine the underlying values of Ideal Standard’s assets. Based in London, Gordon Brothers Europe was established over 15 years ago and provides asset and property valuations, restructuring and disposition expertise, financial resources and due diligence for firms across the European Union.
“We are pleased to provide Ideal Standard with additional liquidity as they continue a restructuring of their business,” commented Lawrence Klaff, a managing director with GB Credit Partners. “We effectively leveraged the expertise of our overseas affiliate, Gordon Brothers Europe, in finding a financing solution for Ideal Standard and we look forward to supporting the ongoing operations of the Company.”
Gary Cleaver, Chief Financial Officer of Ideal Standard, added, “We were impressed with GB Credit Partners’ understanding of the company’s assets, as well as their ability to provide a financing solution across multiple countries. We look forward to our continued partnership.”
GB Credit Partners, the investment management affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, originates, structures and invests in private market debt in North America and Europe. Debt investments are made in the form of senior, unitranche, second lien or mezzanine loans ranging from $10 million to $50 million to middle-market companies in need of capital to effect strategic change. Investments are made across 25 industries within five major sectors: consumer, commercial & industrial, financial services, intellectual property and real estate.
Gordon Brothers Europe utilizes its in-depth industry knowledge to provide asset and property valuations, restructuring and disposition expertise, financial resources and due diligence. Gordon Brothers Europe is the trading name of Gordon Brothers International LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gordon Brothers Group LLC., a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, commercial & industrial, brand and property sectors. Founded in 1903, Gordon Brothers Group operates from offices based in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cologne and Tokyo. Gordon Brothers Group is comprised of professionals and a global network of specialists including former CEOs, CFOs, heads of retail, wholesale, buying, property and industrial operations and executives with other industry, legal and financial expertise.
Ideal Standard International SA. is a privately-owned company, operating independently in Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as in Latin America. With bathroom solutions as its core business, the company provides bathroom furnishings, fixtures and shower enclosures for residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Ideal Standard is the company´s international flagship brand for bathroom solutions. The company employs approximately 10,000 people and operates in over 30 countries.