Represents Crown’s first Long-Term Financing Transaction
CALGARY, December 16, 2015 – Crown Capital Partners Inc. (“Crown” or “the Company”) (TSX: CRN), which provides growth capital to successful mid-market companies, today announced the closing of a $25 million, 10-year term loan (the “Agreement”) with PenEquity Realty Corporation (“PenEquity”), a privately owned, full-service real estate company focused on commercial shopping centres in Ontario. This Agreement will be funded from Crown’s cash resources and represents the first loan under Crown’s Long-term Financing solutions line of business.
Founded in 1984, PenEquity has a strong track record of delivering successful retail sites across Ontario, having completed numerous projects representing more than 4.2 million square feet. Specializing in large-scale destination retail/entertainment centres as well as commercial and residential land development, PenEquity has developed a stable of key relationships with leading retailers and partners, including Choice Properties REIT, Longo’s and EPR Properties. In addition to the development of real estate assets on behalf of clients, PenEquity provides property, advisory and asset management services. PenEquity currently has seven projects underway (representing approximately two million square feet of development), two of which have commenced with others expected to begin in the next 12 months.
“We’re delighted to begin a relationship with PenEquity and support their growth plans,” said Chris Johnson, Crown’s President & CEO. “The company has a highly successful track record spanning more than 30 years and is led by a seasoned team of professionals. As their new projects are completed, they are well positioned to generate significant value from multiple revenue streams.”
Mr. Johnson added: “We see significant opportunity in the Canadian market to provide long-term financing to successful businesses like PenEquity. Our solutions offer business owners the capital to grow their company independently and without equity dilution, while providing Crown with attractive recurring cash flow.”
“The team at Crown clearly understands the needs of entrepreneurial-minded growth businesses like ours, and we’re pleased to partner with them as we bring multiple new projects on stream and build on our long history of delivering quality results for our clients, partners and tenants,” said David Johnston, President & CEO of PenEquity.
The specific financial terms of the Agreement have not been disclosed for confidentiality reasons, but are consistent with Crown’s stated return objectives for long-term transactions.