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CapRock Completes $200 Million Private Equity Recapitalization
HOUSTON (February 2, 2006) - CapRock Communications, a leading
global satellite communications provider to extreme and remote
locations, announced today that it has completed a $200 million
recapitalization through a majority share sale to Boston private equity
firm ABRY Partners. After generating a dramatic internal rate of return
of 93 percent and a gross cash-on-cash return of 13.4 times for its
previous owners, Genesis Park and The Riverside Company, CapRock’s
senior management team initiated the process to recapitalize the
company last year to support its long term global expansion strategy.
“CapRock
has enjoyed a strong 25 year history, but the last four years have seen
dramatic double digit compound annual growth fueled by globalization
and vertical market expansion,” CapRock CEO Peter Shaper, said. “The
investment and support of Genesis Park and The Riverside Company have
enabled CapRock to expand globally with acquisitions and new operations
in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and West Africa. We are proud of the
return on investment CapRock’s employees have generated for our
shareholders and look forward to continuing to expand our service
capabilities for our customers in partnership with ABRY.”
Reflecting
on the deal closure, ABRY Partners’ Jay Grossman said, “CapRock’s track
record of success, both financially and as a true market leader, makes
it a compelling addition to our portfolio. We believe in the management
team and their vision for expanding CapRock’s leadership in the remote
satellite communications market.”
CapRock’s existing management
team, including Shaper, Olivier and the firm’s outside directors will
continue their leadership of the company, with ABRY replacing Riverside
on the board of directors. CapRock intends to utilize the
recapitalization to continue to expand its offering globally, lead the
market in new products and services, and provide the highest quality
and most reliable service available for the unique needs of its clients.
Established
in 1981, CapRock Communications is a premier global satellite
communications provider for the off-shore energy, maritime,
construction and mining industries, as well as for disaster relief and
government applications. The Company utilizes the latest field proven
satellite technologies to deliver highly reliable managed communication
services for broadband networking, real-time video and digital
telephony to the world's harshest and most remote locations. CapRock
delivers on its promise to be the market's reliability leader by
leveraging "best of breed" partnerships, technical expertise and a
robust self-owned and operated global infrastructure that includes four
international teleports and nine regional operation centers across the
U.S., Central and South America, Europe, West Africa and Asia Pacific.
More information about CapRock is available at www.caprock.com.
Based
in Boston, Massachusetts, ABRY Partners specializes as a financing
partner for the media and communication industries and enjoys a
position as one of the most experienced and successful media-focused
private equity investment firms in North America. Since 1989, ABRY has
completed over $18 billion of leveraged transactions and other private
equity and mezzanine investments, representing investments in more than
450 media properties. Extensive and long-standing relationships with
many different stakeholders in the media and finance businesses allow
ABRY to contribute significant value to operating partners and
portfolio companies.