Clean Technology specialist Evelyne White joins European team
Brussels, [WorldofRenewables.com]
Global private equity firm The Riverside Company is expanding its targeted efforts to invest in clean technology companies as the firm anticipates strong growth in alternative energy and energy efficiency markets.
With more than 70 companies in its global portfolio, Riverside is a generalist investor. After completing hundreds of deals, however, the firm has developed expertise in a handful of industries and is now further developing its specialisation in the cleantech arena. With rising concerns over the impact of CO2 emissions, a desire for energy independence and growing awareness of natural resource constraints, governments around the world have implemented policies that have – and will continue to – fuel growth among companies with innovative solutions to energy and resource-related issues.
Riverside recently intensified efforts to deepen its expertise in the sector with the addition of Associate Evelyne White, whose role is to explore opportunities within cleantech and develop Riverside’s specialisation in the sector. White works with Riverside’s local origination and transaction teams to build institutional knowledge in the sector, as well as to identify, evaluate and execute investments in the space. White deepens Riverside’s insight into cleantech businesses and helps the firm position itself to capture a greater share within this increasingly important market.
“Riverside has a time-tested approach to all the sectors in which it has worked,” said White. “We identify the best and most unique companies in a growing industry, and work alongside management to grow their business by offering unparalleled access to operational support and new markets. We will apply this same strategy to the cleantech space, all the while leveraging a network of industry experts in our search for little leaders in all segments within the sector. Also in keeping with our strategy, we will continue to invest in companies that provide products and services rather than start investing in project development or infrastructure deals.”
Riverside selected White for this key role due to her combination of a strong analytical background and experience in the cleantech arena. In addition to her prior roles at Riverside as an Analyst in New York and Brussels, she worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Bear Stearns. Most recently, White worked with 3TIER Inc., where she worked on product development and pricing strategy for the company’s new wind, solar and hydro assessment and forecasting products. At 3TIER, White also played a lead role in writing a major government funding application for U.S.- Asia solar partnership.
White has a MBA from Harvard Business School, where she focused on wind development finance through independent projects with cleantech-focused professors and entrepreneurs. She also completed her BA in politics with a minor in environmental studies from Oberlin College.
“With Evelyne on board, we are building upon our existing experience in cleantech and developing a more targeted approach to investing in the sector. Having a dedicated resource to the sector allows us to keep up with its rapidly evolving landscape, evaluate deals quickly and price them with more perspective. It makes us smarter buyers and ultimately, better owners” said Riverside Origination Director Juan Barnechea.
Riverside’s current portfolio of companies in the cleantech sector include:
· TRICO TCWind (subsidiary of IPS) is one of the leading specialists in repair services for wind turbines and generators.
www.tricotcwind.com
· DuBois Sustainable Cleaning Solutions is a leader in providing innovative chemical solutions to the manufacturing industry. The company’s solutions are “lean, green and clean” as they reduce waste, improve efficiency and reduce water and energy consumption. DuBois is a partner in the EPA’s Climate Leaders program.
www.duboischemicals.com
· AERCO is a manufacturer of high-efficiency commercial boilers and hot water heaters. AERCO’s products heat buildings, provide hot water, and control heat and hot water systems.
· Eemax designs and builds electric tankless water heaters. The heaters offer hot water on demand by heating water at the point of use instead of storing hot water.
In addition to cleantech, Riverside’s industry specialisations include healthcare, and training and education, among other sectors. This strategy allows the company to benefit from a generalist approach while capitalising on its deep experience in select industries, making Riverside stronger at every stage of the deal.
Riverside continues to expand the firm’s ability to select winning organizations and unlock the full potential of portfolio companies. The firm was awarded Buyouts magazine’s Buyout Firm of the Year and M&A Journal’s Middle Market Private Equity Firm of the Year in 2009. The Riverside Europe Fund began making investments in 1997 and its current portfolio includes 17 companies across the continent.
The Riverside Company (www.riversidecompany.com or www.riversideeurope.com)
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring growing enterprises valued at up to $200 million (€200 million in Europe). The firm partners with strong management teams and enhances its investments through acquisitions and organic growth. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in 239 transactions with a total enterprise value of more than $5.4 billion/€4.4 billion. The firm’s portfolio in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region includes 71 companies with roughly 14,000 employees. Riverside completes acquisitions smoothly thanks to $3.4 billion/€2.7 billion in assets under management, more than 195 professionals in 19 offices, and longstanding relationships with partner lenders.