Archer Capital

Archer Capital
FormerlyGS Private Equity
Company typeProprietary limited company
IndustryPrivate Equity
PredecessorByvest Management Buyout Group
Founded1996
HeadquartersSydney, Australia
ProductsPrivate equity funds
Websitewww.archercapital.com.au

Archer Capital is an Australian private equity investment firm based in Sydney. It was founded as GS Private Equity in 1996. Archer Capital hosts multiple investment funds which invest in businesses across a wide array of industries and sectors, specifically targeting mid-market leveraged buyouts in Australia and New Zealand.[1]

The firm currently owns or co-owns a number of Australian and New Zealand companies including Allity and Craveable Brands. Previous investments include Australian Geographic, Dome, John West Foods, MYOB, Rebel, Supercars Championship and Repco.

Notable investments

A Red Rooster outlet
A V8 Supercars Championship race in 2011

In 1998, the firm partnered with the then-management of Australian Geographic to purchase the business for A$50 million. It was later sold to a consortium including the Myer family.[2]

In 2000, Archer Capital gained a 50% stake in Dome coffeehouses, selling for A$20 million in 2003 to Navis.[3] In 2001, Archer was part of a consortium (paying A$30 million) which purchased Repco from Pacific Dunlop, publicly listing the company on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2003.[4]

Archer Capital was involved in the purchase of John West Foods from Unilever in 2003. Archer divested a few years later.[5]

In 2009, the company lead a A$450 million takeover of MYOB, taking the company private.[6] It was sold two years later for A$1.1 billion to Bain Capital.[6]

In 2011, Archer acquired Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (renamed Craveable Brands in 2017) for A$450 million from Quadrant Private Equity, which holds 620 Australian-owned Red Rooster, Chicken Treat and Oporto fast food restaurants.[7] In the same year it also became a major investor in the Supercars Championship.[8][9]

In 2013, Archer purchased 30 aged care facilities from Lendlease, forming provider Allity.[10] It has subsequently grown to be one of the largest care providers in Australia.[11]

Funds

Archer Capital has operated a total of 5 individual funds.[12]

Fund Year established Capital (A$b)
Archer Capital Fund No. 1 1998 $0.104
Archer Capital Fund No. 2 2001 $0.192
Archer Capital Fund No. 3 2004 $0.45
Archer Capital Fund No. 4 2007 $1.36
Archer Capital Fund No. 5 2011 $1.5

References

  1. ^ "Our Focus". Archer Capital. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  2. ^ McMahon, Stephen (17 March 2009). "Myer family back on map". News.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Dome - Business News". Business News. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  4. ^ Kruger, Colin (6 September 2006). "Look who's buying into Repco". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Fishing trip for Simplot lands a $140m catch". The Age. 21 June 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b Tung, Liam (22 August 2011). "MYOB sold for $1.2 billion". ITnews. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  7. ^ Thieberger, Victoria (14 June 2011). "UPDATE 1-Australia's Archer buys fast food chain for A$450 mln". Reuters. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  8. ^ "V8 Supercars confirm new ownership structure". Speedcafe. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  9. ^ V8 boss dismisses new sale rumour Auto Action 4 January 2019
  10. ^ "Allity sale put on hold after share market collapse". Villages.com.au. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Age of change as big players expand in aged care sector". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Archer Capital History". Archer Capital. Retrieved 24 June 2018.