Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) announced that Ares Credit funds (collectively Ares) closed U.S. direct lending commitments of approximately $6.3 billion across 55 transactions during the third quarter and approximately $43.4 billion across 314 transactions in the 12 months ended Sept. 30. Selected transactions that Ares closed during the third quarter follow.
AirX Climate Solutions / Gryphon Investors Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Gryphon Partners’ continued growth plans for AirX Climate Solutions. AirX Climate Solutions is a provider of specialty industrial and commercial HVAC equipment and services to a diverse set of end markets.
Chess.com / CVC Capital Partners Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support CVC Capital Partners’ acquisition of Chess.com. Chess.com is an online platform for playing chess, providing chess-related content and educational resources and hosting chess events.
Curi Capital / The Vistria Group Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support The Vistria Group’s acquisition of Curi Capital. Curi Capital is an investment advisor providing wealth management, investment management, family office services and retirement plan solutions.
Custom Flavors / Butterfly Equity and Graham Partners Ares served as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Butterfly Equity and Graham Partners’ partnership with Custom Flavors, alongside Graham Partners’ existing portfolio company Target Flavors. Custom Flavors and Target Flavors are specialty flavor solutions formulators and manufacturers across various applications, including functional foods and nutraceuticals, beverages, snacks and dairy.
Essor Group Ares served as administrative agent for a senior secured credit facility to support continued growth plans for Essor Group. Essor Group is a multi-brand platform that sells consumer products across health and wellness, lifestyle, personal care and beauty industries.
Harbourfront Wealth Management / Berkshire Partners Ares served as administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility supporting Berkshire Partners’ acquisition of Harbourfront Wealth Management. Harbourfront is an independent Canadian wealth management and investment advisory firm offering portfolio management, financial planning, proprietary alternative investment solutions and family-office-style services to high-net-worth and retail investors across Canada.
Inszone / Lightyear Capital, BHMS Investments Ares served as administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Lightyear Capital and BHMS Investments’ continued growth plans for Inszone. Inszone is a full-service insurance brokerage firm offering property and casualty and employee benefits solutions.
NewEdge Capital / Parthenon Capital Ares served as co-lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Parthenon Capital’s continued growth plans for NewEdge Capital. NewEdge Capital is a wealth management platform for both captive and independent advisors and the families they serve.
Prime Capital / Carlyle Ares served as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Carlyle’s continued growth plans for Prime Capital Financial. Prime Capital Financial is an independent wealth management firm serving more than 25,000 households and 1,000 enterprises nationwide.
Steward Partners Global Advisory / Cynosure, The Pritzker Organization Ares served as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for a senior secured credit facility to support Cynosure and The Pritzker Organization’s continued growth plans for Steward Partners. Steward Partners is an independent, advisory-centric hybrid wealth management platform serving high-net-worth individuals across the U.S.
Tactacam / GTCR Ares served as administrative agent and joint lead arranger for a senior secured credit facility to support GTCR’s acquisition of Tactacam. Tactacam is a provider of cellular-connected trail and security cameras to more than 1 million subscribers across the U.S.
