Leonard Green & Partners
Leonard Green & Partners ("LGP") is an American private equity investment firm founded in 1989 and based in Los Angeles.[1] The firm specializes in private equity investments. LGP has invested in over 95 companies since its inception, including Petco and The Container Store.[2][3]
Privately held company | |
Industry | Private equity |
Founded | 1989 |
Founder | Leonard I. Green |
Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Products | Leveraged buyout |
AUM | US$38.5 billion |
Number of employees | 66 |
Website | www |
History
Leonard Green was founded by Leonard I. Green in 1989[4] after separating from Gibbons, Green and van Amerongen Ltd. (Gibbons Green), a bank which he had co-founded in 1969 with Edward Gibbons and Lewis van Amerongen.[5][6] Leonard Green died in 2002, leaving the firm to be run by John G. Danhakl, Peter J. Nolan and Jonathan D. Sokoloff.[4]
The firm's predecessor, Gibbons Green was among the earliest practitioners of the leveraged buyout and management buyout.[5][6] Gibbons Green purchased several companies, including Purex Industries in 1982,[7] Budget Rent a Car from Transamerica in 1986 and Kash n' Karry Food Stores in 1988.[5][6][8] The company planned to purchase Argonaut Group Inc in 1987, but withdrew from the buyout.[9]
The dissolution of Gibbons Green and the formation of Leonard Green & Partners is attributed by some to the failure of two buyouts: Ohio Mattress Company and Sheller-Globe Corporation.[10][11][12]
In 2019, LGP named John Baumer and Evan Hershberg co-heads of the Jade Fund.[13]
In March 2020, partners at LGP committed to plans for a $10 million employee-assistance fund for employees of Leonard Green portfolio companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15]
Investments
In 2016, LGP closed Green Equity Investors VII, L.P. (“GEI VII”), with $9.6 billion of committed capital.[16] In 2019, LGP raised $14.75 billion for two new funds.[13]
Between 1997 and 2008, LGP made several acquisitions, including Leslie's Poolmart and Petco.[17][2]
Between 2009 and 2018, LGP's acquisitions included The Container Store and Jo-Ann Stores, and The Shade Store, among others.[3][18][19] In 2012, LGP invested in Shake Shack.[20]
References
- "Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.: Private Company Information – Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
- "COMPANY NEWS; MANAGEMENT-LED GROUP TO BUY PETCO FOR $505 MILLION". New York Times. 2000-05-18. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Hughes, Elaine (2007-07-02). "Private firm buys Container Store". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Witkowsky, Christopher (2011-10-06). "Leonard Green changes terms amid fundraise". Private Funds CFO. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- "Gibbons, Green Separation". The New York Times. 1989-05-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
- "Gibbons, Green Adept in Risky Field : Bicoastal Firm Becomes Major Player in Leveraged Buyouts". Los Angeles Times. 1986-09-07. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
- "Purex Merger Is Approved". The New York Times. 1982-08-12. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- Staff, Denise L. Smith of The Sentinel. "KASH N' KARRY BUYS MARKETS FROM KROGER". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
- Special to the New York TimesPublished: December 23, 1987 (1987-12-23). "COMPANY NEWS; Gibbons Cancels Argonaut Buyout". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Bartlett, Sarah (1989-11-06). "Wall Street's Treacherous Side". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Bartlett, Sarah (1989-10-13). "Filing Discloses Dispute Over Sale of Sheller-Globe". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Published: May 05, 1989 (1989-05-05). "Gibbons, Green Separation". New York Times. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- Bunker, Ted (2019-12-09). "WSJ News Exclusive | Buyout Firm Leonard Green Raises Nearly $15 Billion for Two New Funds". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
- Witkowsky, Chris (2020-03-19). "Leonard Green executives to form $10m employee-assistance fund". Buyouts. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- "PE Daily: Leonard Green Partners Commit to Employee Assistance Funds | Crude Price Drop Dooms First Reserve Portfolio Company | KKR Defies Chaos". Wall Street Journal. 2020-03-19. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- "Leonard Green and Partners | Leading private equity investment firm based in Los Angeles". www.leonardgreen.com. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
- "LESLIE'S POOLMART TAKEN PRIVATE IN $140 MILLION DEAL – New York Times". Nytimes.com. 1997-06-13. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
- "Jo-Ann Stores to Be Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. for $61.00 Per Share in Cash | Business Wire". www.businesswire.com. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
- Hirsch, Lauren (2018-08-09). "Private equity giant Leonard Green takes another chance on retail, buying online retailer Shade Store". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
- Severson, Kim; De La Merced, Michael (29 January 2015). "Shake Shack, Born in a Park, Is Going Public With Big Dreams". DealBook. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-19.