News

TPG Growth has acquired HALO Branded Solutions from Audax Private Equity. No financial terms were disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. Based in Sterling, Illinois, HALO Branded Solutions is a marketing services platform.

PRESS RELEASE

Sterling, IL; Fort Worth, Texas; and San Francisco – May 17, 2018 – TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of global alternative investment firm TPG, announced today that it has partnered with management to acquire HALO Branded Solutions, a leading marketing services platform that distributes promotional products and provides employee recognition services. TPG Growth acquired the company from Audax Private Equity. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

“At HALO, we strive to provide our clients with innovative, customized solutions that showcase their brand and values,” said Marc Simon, CEO of HALO. “TPG Growth is a hands-on partner that understands our business and supports our vision. We look forward to leveraging their growth and business-building expertise as we continue to expand and enhance operations.”

Headquartered in Sterling, Illinois, HALO partners with more than 60,000 clients across the country to provide creative solutions. The company operates across two business lines: HALO Branded Solutions, one of the world’s largest distributors of promotional products serving many of the largest companies around the globe; and HALO Recognition, which designs and administers employee incentive and rewards programs for enterprise customers. Known for its industry-leading customer service, HALO has a nationwide salesforce of more than 1,200 dedicated and resourceful account executives who provide clients with creative, consultative marketing and recognition solutions. They are supported by a team of more than 500 corporate service professionals.

“In HALO, we saw the opportunity to acquire an industry-leading platform that’s supported by best-in-class leadership and sales teams,” said Shamik Patel of TPG Growth. “HALO is well-positioned to capitalize on its leading position in a fragmented market, and we are excited to partner with Marc and the rest of the HALO team to accelerate the company’s growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”

TPG Growth’s other investments in the business services sector include Medical Solutions, a leading provider of healthcare staffing solutions for acute and post-acute care facilities in the United States, and Frank Recruitment Group, a UK-based specialist IT staffing firm.

About HALO
HALO Branded Solutions, with operational headquarters in Sterling, Illinois, and HALO Recognition, based in Long Island City, New York, are industry-leading providers of branded merchandise and global recognition solutions. With a national salesforce, HALO generates growth by offering innovative client solutions, priced competitively and supported by world-class operations and customer service.

About TPG Growth
TPG Growth is the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG, the global alternative asset firm. With approximately $13.5 billion of assets under management, TPG Growth targets investments in a broad range of industries and geographies. TPG Growth has the deep sector knowledge, operational resources, and global experience to drive value creation, and help companies reach their full potential. The firm is backed by the resources of TPG, which has more than $82 billion of assets under management. For more information, visit www.tpg.com.

About Audax Private Equity
Since its founding in 1999, Audax Private Equity has been focused on building leading middle market companies. Audax has invested $4.5 billion in 113 platform and 672 add-on companies. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value. Audax Private Equity is an integral part of Audax Group, an alternative asset management firm specializing in investments in middle market companies. With offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, Audax Group has over $12 billion in assets under management across its Private Equity, Mezzanine, and Senior Debt businesses. For more information, visit the Audax Group website www.audaxgroup.com.