EverZinc Completes Add-On Acquisition of G.H. Chemicals Ltd.

Canadian Manufacturer and Exporter of French Process Zinc Oxide Complements EverZinc Global Operations

LOS ANGELES, CA and PARIS, FRANCE – January 25, 2019 – OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today that its portfolio company, EverZinc, a European specialty zinc chemical business, has acquired G.H. Chemicals Ltd., and Microzinc Inc., collectively referred to as “GHC”, a Canadian manufacturer and exporter of French Process zinc oxide products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

GHC was established in 1974 and is based in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec. Through its manufacturing facility, GHC produces four grades of French Process zinc oxide used for pharmaceutical and food products, as well as fertilizer and feed grades, and various grades for rubber compounding. The business was Acquired from Mr. Stephan Tabah and Mr. Philippe Bailet. GHC has a seasoned team of professionals and a highly trained employee base of 58 people serving a customer base of industrial, pharmaceutical and agriculture customers.

“The acquisition of GHC is a transformational investment for EverZinc that provides product and market expansion through world class facilities in Quebec,” said Andrew Nikou, OpenGate Capital’s Founder and CEO. “OpenGate’s strategy is to build both organic and inorganic growth for the businesses in which we invest. Earlier this year OpenGate launched OGx, a new digital optimization capability, to grow EverZinc and now GHC. Through the investment in GHC, and the OG^x platform, we are confident that EverZinc’s global product offering will better serve its customers.”

Vincent Dujardin, CEO of EverZinc, stated, “We are excited to welcome GHC into the EverZinc portfolio and look forward to working together to leverage our respective products, processes and better serve our customer bases.”

Fabien Marcantetti, Managing Director in OpenGate’s Paris office, who led the transaction, added, “We are incredibly proud of completing this acquisition as the business provides many accretive aspects to EverZinc. Stephan and Philippe have driven advancements in the business and we are looking forward to working with them in the many months ahead.”

Julien Lagreze, Partner at OpenGate Capital, also commented, “The GHC transaction represents OpenGate’s second add-on acquisition which we believe further strengthens the investments acquired in our first institutional fund. I am very pleased that this is another milestone achieved within OpenGate’s investment strategy.”

OpenGate has completed two add-on investments including G.H. Chemicals and Aico S.P.A, an Italian manufacturer of home heating products, an add-on to Jøtul Group, acquired in March of 2018.

About OpenGate Capital

OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate’s professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, management buy-outs, special situations and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com

About EverZinc

EverZinc is a global leader in the production of zinc materials with four product lines: fine zinc powders, zinc oxide, ultra-fine zinc powder and zinc powders for batteries. Industrial operations are in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, China and Malaysia. Close to 175,000 tons of materials are produced from 8 facilities to serve our global customer base. EverZinc products are used in a wide variety of applications including anti-corrosion paints, tires, pharma/chemicals, ceramics and glass, sunscreen, alkaline batteries and other products.