Infrastructure Services Group Launched, Oakville Hydro Deal Closed and ACG Capital Connection Gets A Makeover

It has been a great Summer, the team here at Spara Capital has been active on number of exciting transactions and initiatives that we’d like to share with you through this update:

Spara Capital Launches Infrastructure Services Group

Having successfully completed a number of transactions in the Construction, Energy and Waste sectors, we have emerged as one of the leading mid-market mergers and acquisition (“M&A”) and corporate finance advisory firms in the space we’re calling our Infrastructure Services Group.

When combining our traditional advisory services with our Spark Group of Companies; an in-house renewable energy development, finance and asset management business that we co-founded and have operated since 2009, we offer our clients a unique and compelling proposition.

We feel this presents our clients with an unprecedented combination of domain expertise, resources and relationships in the sector. To this end, Spara Capital has officially launched its Infrastructure Services Group to provide M&A and corporate finance advisory services to clients in this important sector. Spara’s Infrastructure Services Group provides M&A and corporate finance advisory services to clients in the following sectors:

Construction Services

Engineering, Procurement and Construction, Heavy Industrial Construction, Critical and Public Infrastructure, Institutional and Commercial Construction, Construction Supply and Service firms, Residential Home Builders.

Electricity, Energy & Renewable Energy

Public Utilities, Energy Management Services, Renewable Energy projects, Asset Management, Wind, Solar, Biogas, Wind, Solar and Bio-energy projects, Energy Management/Consultancy, Clean Energy Distribution.

Waste Management & Recycling

Waste Collection and Transfer, Waste Transportation and Haulage, Recycling, Collection and Storage Stations.

For details on Spara Capital’s recent deal history in Infrastructure Services click here.

If you (or your client) are an owner, investor or are otherwise involved with a business in the Infrastructure Service sector and wish to learn more about Spara’s Infrastructure Services capabilities visit www.sparainfrastructure.com

Spark Solar/Northwind Solutions

While Spara Capital focuses on advisory transactions, the Spark Group of Companies (“Spark”) continues to pursue new opportunities in Ontario’s renewable energy sector. As the manager of AGRIS Solar Co-operative and Green Energy Co-operative of Ontario (“GECO”), Spark has built a platform to manage, finance and operate FIT and micro-FIT projects in Ontario. This infrastructure currently manages more than 230 MW of assets, making it the largest manager of its kind in Ontario.

Spark is also finalizing the pre-construction process for its 10MW solar project in eastern Ontario, and expects to begin construction in the fall of this year. Additionally GECO is seeking partners with properties who are interested in submitting for solar contracts under the Province’s third iteration of its FIT program (“FIT 3.0”).

As outlined in previous correspondence, earlier this year Spark completed its acquisition of Northwind Solutions (“Northwind”). Northwind is the premier (and largest independent) Operations and Maintenance (“O&M”) provider in the renewables sector in Ontario and an important part of the Spark Group of Companies. Northwind has been ramping up its staff to support the growth in the industry as more and more renewable energy assets come on line and require monitoring, repair and maintenance.

Transaction Updates

Active Mandates

We have a number of active mandates that we are in the process of bringing to market and would be pleased to discuss these with qualified financiers, investors or prospective acquirers:

  • Acquisition mandate for a utility asset services business in Southern Ontario.
  • Divestiture of an Eastern Ontario construction business active in the heavy civil/infrastructure sector.
  • Shareholder buyout/recapitalization of a highly-profitable technology business in the digital media space.
  • Divestiture of a Southwestern Ontario cereal grain processing business for  human and animal food sector.
  • Shareholder buyout/recapitalization of an underground infrastructure rehabilitation services business.
  • Divestiture of a niche, branded Canadian sporting goods manufacturer and distributor.

Closed: Oakville Hydro Acquires PVS

Last month we announced that Spara Capital’s client, Oakville Hydro, had completed acquisition of PVS, an Ontario leader in asset; mapping and marking (i.e. “locates”); inspection; repair and maintenance; and installation. The Spara Capital team originated, structured and negotiated the Transaction.

Active in Ontario’s locates business since their recent acquisition of El-Con Construction, a utility asset services business serving Halton Region, Oakville Hydro saw PVS as a strong compliment to El-Con and a compelling opportunity to expand both the revenue and geographic service area of the business. Spara continues to work with Oakville Hydro Energy Services on the execution of its growth strategy.

To learn more about Spara Capital’s role in the Transaction be sure to download our free report by clicking the link:

SPARA Behind the Tombstone: OHC acquires PVS

News and Events

Spara Capital Turbocharges ACG Toronto’s Capital Connection 2013

The Association for Corporate Growth (“ACG”) Toronto’s Capital Connection, the premier event for the Canadian mid-market M&A and Corporate Finance community, is set to be bigger and better this November as a result of strong leadership by the Spara Capital team:

This year’s event, chaired by Jason Sparaga and supported by a strong organizing committee (which also includes the entire Spara Capital team), is knocking down milestones on an ambitious plan to revitalize the 2013 event. New items for this year include:

  • Standout keynote speakers from finance and business including stars of CBC Dragon’s Den, Bruce Croxon and Jim Treliving;
  • A significant pre/post-event program including night-before and post-event cocktail parties, sponsored and hosted off site, to create robust and high-energy networking opportunities;
  • ​A programming and marketing partnership with CEO Global Network, a peer-to-peer network group with a significant mid-market CEO membership base, to encourage C-suite attendance;
  • A CEO speaker line up including heads of the following standout companies: Progressive Waste Solutions, Maple Lodge Farms, Diageo Canada, PCL Constructors, Gamma Dynacare, Leisureworld Senior Care, Centric Health, Ricoh Canada and ADP Canada.
  • ​A vigorous sponsorship program, tailored to sponsor needs and wants (top level sponsorship has already sold out and other opportunities are going fast);
  • ​A “financier-only” Exhibitor Room and an aggressive push to attract 50+ North American capital providers;
  • ​A special inaugural award presentation of the ACG/CEO Global Network Leading Growth Award to a deserving CEO of a Canadian mid-market company who has demonstrated both strong leadership and corporate growth;
  • ​An improved venue moving the event to the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

ACG Capital Connection 2013 is sure to be an incredible event! The event takes place Tuesday, November 12, 2013. To visit the ACG’s Capital Connection website click here or to discuss sponsor/exhibitor opportunities contact
Eric Waxman ewaxman@sparacapital.com

Partner Profile: The Osborne Group

From time to time Spara Capital profiles partner firms who we have gotten to know through transactions and we think could provide value to our network of friends, clients and advisors.

This month, we’re pleased to introduce The Osborne Group, a Toronto-based interim and temporary executive placement firm we have known for more than a decade.

The Osborne Group have an accomplished team of senior executives but connected with us as part of their outreach for experienced senior principals who might consider interim, contract or project positions as the next stage in their careers.

To learn more about the Osborne Group visit www.osborne-group.com or contact Sheila Hamilton, Managing Principal shamilton@osborne-group.com

Team Update

It is with great pleasure that we welcome the following new team members to Spara Capital:

Pam Johnson-Smyth, Executive Administrator

Pam oversees administration and client service functions on behalf of the firm and brings a tenacious energy as well as experience gained through a number of progressive roles in; purchasing, manufacturing and Social Service sectors.

Connor Welsh, Analyst

Connor joined Spara Capital in June 2013 after graduating from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa with an Honours Commerce Degree. His quiet confidence and solid work ethic have quickly made him a great addition. Connor is pursuing the CGA designation and plans to study his MBA in the future.

Brock University Co-op Student Invited into Beta Gamma Sigma

Business undergraduate and Spara Capital Analyst, Anthony Marotta has been recognized for outstanding academic achievement through an invitation into Beta Gamma Sigma. This organization is an academic honours society, representing the top 10% of undergraduate business management students in the world.

Anthony joined Spara Capital as part of Brock University’s cooperative program in early 2013 and has proven himself a valuable asset to the team. We wish him best of luck in his studies when he returns to Brock to complete his program in the Fall. Congratulations Anthony!

Unity for Autism Golf Tournament

For the third consecutive year, we are pleased to sponsor Unity for Autism’s Annual Golf Tournament taking place Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at Copper Creek Golf Course.

This year’s event features guest speaker, comedian and America’s Got Talent finalist, Tom Cotter and will be hosted by Bruce Croxon, celebrity entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den.

In addition to financial contribiutions, each year we donate the entire Spara Capital team to assist Unity for Autism in organizing and operating this great event. As well, Jason Sparaga is a Unity For Autism board member.

For more information on the tournament or Unity for Autism visit www.unityforautism.ca