Archer Capital Fund 4
Archer Capital Fund 4 is advised by Sydney based Archer Capital (www.archercapital.com.au) who are a leading Australian private equity manager specialising in leveraged buyouts.
Since 1996, Archer Capital's Partners and executives have closed over 20 acquisitions involving total aggregate funding in excess of $3.3 billion. Archer is one of Australia's most experienced leveraged buyout managers with each of Archer's previous funds having achieved top quartile returns for their respective vintage years.
Archer Capital is unique in the Australian buyout industry in that their team possesses significant operational and general management experience. Archer Capital executives have a mix of FMCG, retailing, manufacturing and distribution line management experience.
A hands-on, operational approach is an essential part of Archer Capital's investment process from investment assessment to ongoing investment management. Archer believe their operational experience, combined with their expertise in funding and structuring deals, allows them to be much better equipped as partners and custodians in the management of operating businesses.
Investments made by Archer Capital Fund 4 include Amart All Sports / Rebel Sport, iNova Pharmaceuticals, The Cellarmasters Group, MYOB, Funtastic Limited and Ausfuel.
Amart All Sports / Rebel Sport. Archer completed the Management Buyout of leading Queensland sporting goods retailer, Amart All Sports, in August 2004. A mix of new stores and a bolt-on acquisition has seen the network expand nationally from 26 to in excess of 70 Amart stores.
The acquisition of Rebel Sport during March 2007, added more than 60 stores to the network creating the largest sporting goods retailer in Australia. Archer's focus is for further network growth and operational improvement to enhance profitability, prior to exit.
iNova Pharmaceuticals. In December 2006, Archer co-led a $450m+ acquisition of iNova Pharmaceuticals (formerly 3M Pharmaceuticals in Asia Pacific and Africa). iNova Pharmaceuticals aims to create and deliver innovative pharmaceutical products, which improve the lives of patients by meeting their needs. The company develops and supplies a range of prescription and over the counter medicines including drugs to treat skin cancer, heart conditions, weight loss, asthma, coughs, sore throats and sports injuries.
iNova Pharmaceuticals has manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Thornleigh, Australia, and distributes its products to South Africa and throughout the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The Cellarmasters Group. In June 2007, Archer Capital Fund 4 acquired the Australasian Wine Clubs and Services Businesses from Fosters Group Limited. The acquired businesses include Cellarmasters Wines and Vinpac International in Australia, Cardmember Wines and Carters in New Zealand and a 50% investment in the Wine Buzz operation in Japan.
Cellarmasters and Cardmember are the largest wine club businesses in their respective countries and between them sell approximately 1.2 million cases of wine per year. The Vinpac and Carters businesses provide bottling services and supplies to wineries and are market leaders in their respective markets.
Funtastic Limited. In May 2008 Archer Capital Fund 4, as part of a consortium, acquired an 18.8% share of ASX listed, Funtastic Limited and launched a bid to acquire 100% of the company. Funtastic is Australia's largest marketer and distributor of children’s products. The Proposal is non binding and indicative only and is subject to a number of pre-conditions.
MYOB. In January 2009 Archer Capital Fund 4, in consortium with one of its investors, acquired ASX listed MYOB Limited and subsequently de-listed the shares of the company.
MYOB is a developer and publisher of business management software and provides award-winning software, services and support to over 700,000 businesses and 10,000 accounting practices across the Asia Pacific region.
MYOB also works directly with accounting practices to streamline their processes and maximise their productivity. MYOB solutions are used by leading accounting practices from tax agents and sole practitioners to the "Big 4" accounting firms.
MYOB was founded in 1991 and was listed on the ASX from June 1999 to January 2009 when the shares were delisted following the successful takeover by the Archer consortium.
Ausfuel. In May 2010 Archer Capital Fund 4 acquired a significant majority of Darwin (Australia) based Ausfuel.
Ausfuel is a leading energy distribution company with operations in fuel retailing (service stations), commercial fuels distribution and fuels transportation. The company has delivered fuel and lubricants across regional and remote Australia for more than 25 years.
The Company has operations mainly in the Northern Territory servicing remote regional areas, with additional reach into South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. The company's offices are located in Darwin, Brisbane, Katherine, Alice Springs, Cloncurry, Townsville, Charleville, Quilpie and Kununurra.
Ausfuel's network includes 20 owned and operated service stations and more than 100 resellers and they directly employ 400 staff including 130 casual console operators.