M&A Deal Summary

Birch Hill Equity Partners Acquires ERCO Worldwide

On February 18, 2021, private equity firm Birch Hill Equity Partners acquired chemicals company ERCO Worldwide from Superior Plus for 725M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Birch Hill Equity Partners’ 2nd transaction in the Chemicals sector.
  • This is Birch Hill Equity Partners’ largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Birch Hill Equity Partners’ 37th transaction in Canada.
  • This is Birch Hill Equity Partners’ 24th transaction in Ontario.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2021-02-18
Target ERCO Worldwide
Sector Chemicals
Buyer(s) Birch Hill Equity Partners
Sellers(s) Superior Plus
Deal Type Divestiture
Deal Value 725M USD

Target

ERCO Worldwide

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
ERCO Worldwide is focused largely on the production and supply of in-organic products along with technology for the production of chlorine dioxide. ERCO Worldwide was founded in 1897 and is based in Mississauga, Ontario.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Birch Hill Equity Partners

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1994
PE ASSETS 5.0B CAD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Birch Hill Equity Partners is a middle-market private equity firm focused on investments in Canadian companies. Birch Hill targets growth oriented businesses valued between C$50 and C$1000 million. Sectors of interest include agriculture, communications, energy, environmental, entertainment, distribution, healthcare, manufacturing, software, and technology. Birch Hill will not consider investments in real estate, pure commodity companies or start ups. Birch Hill Equity Partners was formed in 1994 and is based in Toronto, Canada.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 43 of 47
Sector (Chemicals) 2 of 2
Type (Divestiture) 6 of 8
State (Ontario) 24 of 27
Country (Canada) 37 of 41
Year (2021) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-01-19 Harbour Air

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Harbour Air is a seaplane airline that has been operating out of Vancouver for over 30 years. The company flies passengers between various destinations on the western coast of Canada, such as Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Sechelt and others. Harbour Air’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, and convenient transportation to the travelling public through innovation and operational excellence. Harbour Air was founded in 1982 and is based in Richmond, British Columbia.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-15 Terrapure Environmental

Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Terrapure Environmental is a provider of industrial waste management and resource recovery. The company provides services that minimize the waste produced by clients’ industrial processes and recycles used oil and metals products for resale. Terrapure Environmental was founded in 2015 and is based in Burlington, Ontario.

Sell CA$928M

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Superior Plus

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Category Company
Founded 1989
Sector Diversified
Employees4,261
Revenue 3.4B CAD (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Superior Plus is a diversified company that engages in the energy distribution and specialty chemicals business. The company operates two separate businesses: Energy Distribution and Specialty Chemicals. All of the businesses are operated on the principles of entrepreneurship, continuous improvement, executing on objectives, safety, and teamwork. Superior Plus was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 4 of 4
Sector (Chemicals) 1 of 1
Type (Divestiture) 4 of 4
State (Ontario) 2 of 2
Country (Canada) 2 of 2
Year (2021) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 4
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-02-11 Highlands Propane

Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada

Highlands Propane is a primarily residential propane distributor based in Fenelon Falls, Ontario, and delivers approximately 13 million liters of propane annually.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-04-22 Freeman Gas

Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Freeman Gas is one of the oldest and largest home propane suppliers and providing prompt service and affordable propane to customers. Freeman Gas offers a variety of high-performance, quality products like propane tankless water heaters, fireplaces, gas logs, and grills. Freeman Gas was founded in 1936 and is based in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Buy $170M