Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan acquires Exal Group

TORONTO, April 5 /PRNewswire/ - An investor group led by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan announced it has acquired Exal Group, the largest specialty manufacturer of aluminum containers in the world. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The investor group is led by Teachers' Private Capital, the private investment department of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and one of the world's largest private equity investors, and includes Stonebridge Partners, a U.S.-based operations-oriented private equity firm that focuses on the specialty manufacturing sector.

"Delfin Gibert has built the leading global producer in its industry with strong leadership and a proven track record for growth. We are delighted to partner with the company at this important stage of its evolution," said Erol Uzumeri, Senior Vice-President, Teachers' Private Capital. "We believe that with Exal's international operations and strong, diverse client base, the company will benefit from our ability to support identified future growth opportunities in both established and emerging markets. We look forward to working with management to continue to build the company."

Exal Group was founded by Delfin Gibert, President and CEO, in the U.S. in 1993 and has grown to six facilities and 47 manufacturing lines in the U.S., Europe and Argentina. It produces approximately 1.3 billion units a year, primarily for multinational consumer packaging customers in the household products, personal care, and beverage industries and generates annual revenues of approximately US$400 million.

About Teachers' Private Capital

Teachers' Private Capital is one of the world's largest private equity investors, having participated as a long-term investor in numerous management buyouts in Canada, the United States and Europe. It is the private investment department of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, the largest single-profession pension plan in Canada. Current investments by Teachers' Private Capital include: Acorn Care & Education Ltd., Alliance Laundry Systems, Aquilex Corporation, General Nutrition Centers, Inc., GCAN Insurance, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Serta Inc. and Simmons Bedding Company, among others. Teachers' Private Capital provides long-term, flexible capital and support to high-quality management teams seeking to grow and add value to their businesses over time.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is an independent organization responsible for investing the pension fund and administering the pensions of Ontario's 289,000 active and retired teachers. For more information visit www.otpp.com or www.teachersprivatecapital.com.

About Stonebridge Partners

Stonebridge Partners, based in White Plains, NY, is a premier private equity firm with 24 years of experience acquiring middle market companies in conjunction with existing management teams. Stonebridge has completed approximately 50 acquisitions and is currently investing through Stonebridge Partners Equity Fund IV, L.P., its fourth institutional fund which closed in July 2008. Stonebridge primarily focuses on value-added manufacturing companies, specifically in the packaging, infrastructure, building products, and specialty manufacturing industries. In addition to providing capital for growth, Stonebridge utilizes its Operating Partner model to assist talented management teams in achieving their strategic goals and to accomplish significant growth in sales and profitability. For more information visit www.stonebridgepartners.com.

SOURCE Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan