HIG Capital to Acquire Vantage Specialty Chemicals

HIG Capital LLC (HIG) said that its affiliate has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vantage Specialty Chemicals Holdings Inc (Vantage) from an affiliate of The Jordan Company LP (TJC), which will co-invest into the new deal through a minority equity stake.

Headquartered in Chicago, Vantage is a leading, vertically integrated provider of sustainable, naturally derived ingredients focused on personal care, industrial, food, and consumer industries with a broad portfolio of over 2,000 products. Vantage was initially formed in early 2008 through HIG’s acquisition of Croda International’s US oleochemicals business.

Vantage then moved downstream acquiring two downstream speciality ingredients businesses before subsequently selling to The Jordan Company in January 2012.

Vantage’s existing management team will continue to run the business going forward. The transaction is expected to close in October.

“We are thrilled to have financial sponsors that are both very familiar with our business and recognize the achievements and growth opportunities created over the last several years. We look forward to partnering with both H.I.G. and TJC in the next chapter for Vantage,” said Richard McEvoy, CEO of Vantage.

“Vantage’s diverse product portfolio, customer base, and geographic presence uniquely position it to capitalize on growth opportunities within the global speciality ingredients market. We look forward to partnering with TJC and supporting Richard McEvoy and the entire Vantage team through its next stage of growth,” added Keval Patel, managing director at HIG.

Morgan Stanley, RBC Capital Markets and Jefferies are providing committed financing for the transaction. Deutsche Bank and Houlihan Lokey provided financial advice and Mayer Brown LLP provided legal advice to Vantage in the transaction. Ropes & Gray LLP provided legal advice to HIG.