Private Equity Portfolios Turning to Acquisitions

According to recent research and statistics, private equity portfolios are becoming more acquisitive, with add-on deals now making up a significant portion of all transactions.

According to PitchBook research, private equity firms are steadily increasing their utilization of add-ons as a source of growth. In the building material industry alone, add-on deals made up a third of the total deal flow in the first quarter of 2010. This was a steady jump from the fourth quarter of last year, when the number was closer to 22%.

In fact, acquisitions have nearly matched a four-year high, a mark set in the 3^rd quarter of 2007. After 2007, add-ons saw a steady decline throughout 2008 and 2009. The first quarter numbers this year mark a significant change, showing excellent recovery and boding well for the remainder of 2010.

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SDR Ventures at the 2010 Global Pet Expo

SDR’s Carol Frank had the opportunity to attend the Global Pet Expo held in Orlando, Florida March 25-27. Carol is a managing director at SDR and the company’s pet industry expert. Carol has founded three multi-million dollar companies in the pet industry.

The 2010 Expo featured 803 exhibitors, 2,250 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. 4,495 pet product buyers from around the world attended. The show is open to independent retailers, distributers, mass-market buyers and other pet industry professionals.

At the event, a special Excellence in Journalism award was presented to Food Network host and animal philanthropist, Rachel Ray. Carol’s 16-year-old eclectus parrot, Murphy Green, also attended the event and had the opportunity for a photo with Rachel.

The photo-op with Rachel Ray wasn’t Murphy’s only highlight during the Expo. He also sat perched atop APPA President, Bob Vetere’s shoulder as Bob delivered the 2010 State of the Industry Address.

The 2010 Global Pet Expo was very well received and the pet industry continues to enjoy success despite the economic recession. In fact, it is one of few industries to have shown consistent growth in each of the past three years.

Carol Frank leads SDR in moderating pet industry performance exchanges, handling pet industry transactions, capital formation and strategic advisory services.

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