Founded in 1990, Transports Inter-Nord is a family business specialized in LTL transportation. Inter-Nord serves a vast geographical market with the greater Montreal area at its core: to the east Trois-Rivières, to the west Ottawa, to the south the United States borders and to the north Mont-Laurier/Maniwaki. This geographic coverage includes the vast majority of the population of Quebec. More specifically, the company is one of the major leaders in the LTL transportation industry in the following geographic markets: North Shore of the Greater Montreal area, Laurentians and Lanaudiere.
Louis Garneau Sports is a privately owned Quebec-based cycling product designer, manufacturer and marketer. The Company, who started manufacturing cycling apparel and accessories in 1983, operates internationally (Canada, US, Japan) and patented several innovative products over the last two decades.
Under the Louis Garneau umbrella, the Company also operates Sombrio, manufacturing high-end competitive bikes, as well as Sugoi, creating fashion-conscious apparel for athletes.
Investment date : November 2017
Champlain Financial Corporation is pleased to announce its acquisition of Marine Press of Canada, a global company specializing in the delivery of critical navigational information required by mariners and ship operators.
Business description
Founded in 1992 and headquarted in Montreal, Marine Press’ solutions are used by some of the world’s largest shipping fleets and cruise lines. Throughout its existence, the company has earned a strong reputation for customer service and innovation. With an office in Singapore and strategic partners across Asia, Europe and the U.S., Marine Press is well positioned to help ship operators move towards e-navigation. Its proprietary software such as SeaPassage, SeaOps, Digitrace, help companies to safely transition to digital navigation and maintain voyage compliance.
Website : https://www.marinepress.com/
Investment date: February 2016
Founded in 1946, L.B. Maple Treat is the largest independent distributors of pure maple syrup worldwide. L.B. Maple Treat produces and distributes maple syrup and a wide variety of related products to markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Champlain recruited seasoned CEO with experience branding and international distribution. Completed 2 tuck-in acquisitions in year 1.
Investment Highlights
Maple syrup is a large, growing “on trend” category; global demand for pure maple syrup has been growing at 5-6% per year since 2010
L.B. Maple Treat is one of three major maple syrup bottlers in the world in an otherwise fragmented market – making it well positioned to grow through acquisitions
The recently adopted Transpacific trade agreement should accelerate organic sales growth in Asia
The company only utilizes a portion of its state of the art bottling facility, allowing for growth with minimal additional investment
Successful exit
Sold to Lantic Inc. (owned by Rogers Sugar Inc.) in 2017
Website: http://www.lbmapletreat.com/
Garda Background Screening Solutions is recognized as the most trusted and leading provider of pre-employment background screening solutions throughout Canada. Their industry experience and capabilities have allowed them to provide a wide range of services, including criminal record check, education and professional accreditation, credit report check, I.D. verification, reference check, international security check, and employment verification, customized for each unique client’s needs. Serves over 2,000 clients nationally and internationally. Garda is headquartered in Montréal, Québec and has offices in Toronto, Ontario, with 140 employees.
Investment Highlight
Successfully carving out the company from Garda World would make it a highly attractive acquisition target for larger global pre-screening players Recent scandals and fraud headlines have raised the importance and demand for pre-screening services.
Canada’s pre-screening market is significantly underpenetrated versus the U.S. further suggesting strong organic growth potential
Add-on revenue opportunities through a targeted acquisition program
Multiple expansion from sale to a strategic buyer
Recruited President and CFO with strong HR, IT and investment banking/corporate finance backgrounds
Successful Exit
Sold in November 2016 to Mintz Group, a New-York based global investigation firm, a portfolio company of WestView Capital Partners (Boston)
Website : http://www.gardapreemployment.com/
Investment date : June 2015
Investment Highlights
Brand value/reputation is a key success factor in the hospitality segment where regulatory accreditations are necessary, and Choisy has been synonymous with high quality and innovative hygiene solutions for over 40 years, with a significant market share in Quebec and a blue chip customer list Canada’s only fully integrated developer, formulator and marketer of value added hygiene, running by itself its own scientific research programs The company has a history of sales stability and gross margins have steadily increased over the last 3 yearsFragmented industry in Canada with a consolidation opportunity
Business description
Founded in 1946 by Mr. Yvon G. Trudeau, Choisy formulates, manufactures and distributes specialized hygiene solutions for use in the janitorial, hospitality and industrial sectors, as well as in select retail channels. Over the past 70 years, the Company has strived to develop added value hygiene solutions, with a particular emphasis on green and biotech formulations. This fully integrated approach, ranging from formulating and blending to direct distributing of its products, sets Choisy apart from its competitors. With a leading market share in Quebec, the Company is active across Eastern Canada and select European markets.
Website : http://www.choisy.com/
Investment date : February 2015
Champlain Financial Corporation is pleased to announce its acquisition of KANUK, a Montreal-based manufacturer and retailer of winter coats and apparel.
Business description
Founded by Louis Grenier, KANUK- a veritable and authentic Quebec icon – has been providing its customers with high quality technical coats and outerwear for over 40 years. KANUK’s brand recognition and skilled manufacturing capacity located right here in Quebec provide the company with significant advantages and differentiation in the current market place. In partnership with M. Grenier, the experienced KANUK team as well as new management talent, Champlain will be striving to build upon these advantages to broaden its reach and introduce its products to a whole new customer base in as of yet untapped markets. We’re looking forward to creating a whole new generation of KANUK brand loyalists!
Website : https://www.kanuk.com/en
Investment date: 2013
Landry Investment Management Inc. is an asset manager that uses a combination of fundamental and quantitative strategies. The firm combines momentum and value in the management of five equity funds that are used by private clients, institutional investors and advisors. We also manage balanced mandates for private clients to which we add Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to provide an efficient asset allocation. Landry Investment Management offers investment strategies that are unique and top performing for Canadian, US and Global markets by harnessing the strong potential of price momentum and the long term advantages of value investing.
Website : www.landryinvest.com
Founded in 1866, La Maison OGILVY provides a unique shopping experience. Located in Montreal, it houses distinctive boutiques, the world’s greatest fashion designers, sought-after accessories and sophisticated gifts.
Investment date : July 2010
Investment partners
Successful exit
Exit realized in June 2011 – La Maison OGILVY is acquired by SLG (Selfridges Group Limited)
Website : https://ogilvycanada.com/en/
Investment date : February 2008
Sold to management in 2015
Designs, manufactures and distributes a full suite of high-end bathroom fixtures in Canada and the U.S., with a primary focus on the renovation market.
Business description
Investment rationale
Value creation opportunities
Website : http://www.produitsneptune.com/en/