Latest news with #AraPartners
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin-based Ara Partners raise more than $800m for inaugural fund
Global investment fund Ara Partners has raised more than $800 million (€941.4 million), sweeping past its fund target of $500 million with the aim of scaling companies with significant decarbonisation impacts. The investment fund, whose European headquarters is in Dublin , is focused on the decarbonisation of the industrial economy and has already invested in Irish recycling firm Natural World Products. The firm said it views the Irish market as 'highly attractive' and it is examining investment opportunities 'locally as well as across Europe' highlighting the 'abundance' of Irish businesses working in the carbon transition sector. The fund is part of the firm's Ara Infrastructure strategy, which is run by co-heads of infrastructure, Teresa O'Flynn, who is based in Dublin, alongside George Yong. Since launching the infrastructure strategy in 2022, Ara Infrastructure has completed three investments – a fourth investment is expected shortly, the company said. READ MORE Ms O'Flynn, who was a founding member of BlackRock 's Global Renewable Power Infrastructure business, is guiding the company's infrastructure strategy. 'We are incredibly proud of this milestone and grateful for the robust support from our investors,' she said. 'This fund enables us to pursue a generational investment opportunity across Europe and North America, characterised by increasing energy and industrial demand, a move towards decentralised energy systems, as well as the need to ensure an economic path toward a lower-carbon economy,' The Dublin-based partner said the focus is on 'building high-value decarbonisation assets that future-proof businesses for the modern economy and support the energy transition. 'We knew that having boots on the ground would be key to accessing an attractive and wide-ranging investment opportunity set across Europe,' she said of their presence in Ireland. 'Dublin has proven to be an ideal base for our growing team of investment professionals, which serves as a key hub for sourcing and executing deals across the region.'
Business Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Ara Partners raises over $800m for infrastructure fund
News Ara Partners raises over $800m for infrastructure fund The firm has its European headquarters in Dublin Gillian Nelis 15:58 Teresa O'Flynn, head of Ara Infrastructure
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Ara Partners Reaches Final Close for Inaugural Infrastructure Fund, Surpassing Target
Infrastructure Strategy Focuses on Mid-Market Investments in Industrial Decarbonization Assets BOSTON and DUBLIN, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Partners, a global investment firm dedicated to the decarbonization of the industrial economy, today announced that it has raised over $800 million for its Ara Infrastructure strategy, including its debut Fund, Ara Infrastructure Fund I, and associated co-investment vehicles. The Fund exceeded its target of $500 million, drawing strong support from Ara's existing investor base and a diverse set of new institutional investors comprised of pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and foundations from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Ara Infrastructure is led by industry veterans George Yong and Teresa O'Flynn. The strategy targets mid-market infrastructure with a focus on developing new and re-purposing high quality legacy assets for the low carbon industrial economy. Since launching the strategy in 2022, Ara Infrastructure has completed three investments, with a fourth commitment expected shortly. The Fund now owns 12 operational assets across North America and Europe. Portfolio companies include: 'We are incredibly proud of this milestone and grateful for the robust support from our investors. This Fund enables us to pursue a generational investment opportunity across Europe and North America, characterized by increasing energy and industrial demand, a move towards decentralized energy systems, as well as the need to ensure an economic path toward a lower carbon economy,' said Teresa O'Flynn, Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure at Ara Partners. 'We are focused on building high-value decarbonization assets that future-proof businesses for the modern economy and support the energy transition.'' 'We are committed to delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns with classic infrastructure characteristics to our investors,' said George Yong, Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure. 'Ara's builder capabilities and DNA ideally position us to navigate the disjointed, yet opportunity-rich, world of middle-market sustainable infrastructure. Companies in our target sectors seek more than just a capital provider; we believe our in-house operational capabilities make us a value-add partner of choice. We look forward to supporting exceptional teams and companies across these sectors.' Rede Partners acted as placement agent and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel in the formation of Ara Infrastructure Fund I. About Ara Partners Founded in 2017, Ara Partners is a global private equity and infrastructure firm dedicated to decarbonizing the industrial economy. Ara seeks to build, scale, and optimize companies with significant decarbonization impact across the industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and fuels, and food and agriculture sectors. The company operates from offices in Houston, Boston, Dublin and Washington, D.C.. As of December 31, 2024, Ara Partners had approximately $6.2 billion of assets under management. For more information about Ara Partners, please visit Media Contacts: Catherine MacDonald, Ara Partners [email protected] Zach Harris, Prosek Partners [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Ara Partners
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
eVAC Wins Energy Transition Deal of the Year for U.S. Permanent Magnet Manufacturing Facility
HOUSTON and BOSTON, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Partners, a global private equity firm dedicated to decarbonizing the industrial economy, announced that e-VAC Magnetics, LLC ('eVAC') has been awarded IJ Global's 2024 Energy Transition Deal of the Year (North America). The award recognizes eVac's $335 million non-recourse financing for their first-of-its-kind U.S. permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Sumter County, South Carolina. The transaction has also been recognized by Proximo as the North American Manufacturing Deal of the Year. This landmark transaction, undertaken by Ara Partners and its portfolio company Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG ('VAC'), strengthens the domestic supply chain for electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, renewable energy, and other critical industries. 'We are honored that eVAC's financing has been recognized as IJ Global's 2024 Energy Transition Deal of the Year,' said Tuan Tran, Senior Managing Director. 'This transaction underscores the finance market's confidence in Ara's ability to scale world-class manufacturing that supports both the energy transition and U.S. supply chain security. We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our financing partners, as well as the broader ecosystem of stakeholders who made this possible.' The financing was led by BMO and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. ('MUFG'), with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ('CIBC'), Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. ('Rabobank'), and Société Générale S.A. ('Société Générale') as Coordinating Lead Arrangers. The eVAC facility was established through a strategic partnership with General Motors ('GM') to supply rare earth permanent magnets for GM's electric vehicles over the next decade. The project has also received strong federal and state support, including a Defense Production Act Title III grant from the Department of Defense and a $111.9 million Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit. PEI Global Partners LLC ('PEI') served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Ara Partners and VAC on the transaction. Latham & Watkins LLP served as borrower counsel, while Milbank LLP served as lenders counsel. 'PEI is proud to have supported this award-winning transaction, which demonstrates our firm's ingenuity, deep industry relationships and focus on delivering an optimal outcome for our clients,' said Sky Fabian, Partner at PEI. 'A collaborative effort among Ara Partners, eVAC, the banks, lawyers and advisors enabled a first-of-a-kind transaction that will serve as a blueprint for advanced manufacturing financing going forward. We sincerely thank everyone involved for their trust, commitment and tireless efforts in getting this transaction across the finish line.' 'We are truly honored by this award, which recognizes the bold vision and unwavering dedication behind our e-VAC project in the United States,' noted Erik Eschen, CEO of VAC. 'This investment secures North America's supply chain and drives re-industrialization, demonstrating the power of collaboration among industry, policymakers, investors, and communities. By pushing the boundaries of innovation and forging strategic partnerships, we have proven that even the most ambitious projects can be realized within a short timeframe when collaboration drives progress.' This recognition from IJ Global, a leading publication covering global infrastructure and energy finance, highlights the groundbreaking nature of eVAC's financing structure and its role in advancing sustainable industrial manufacturing in North America. About Vacuumschmelze Vacuumschmelze ('VAC') is a leading global producer of advanced magnetic solutions, rare earth permanent magnets, and inductive components that are crucial for the decarbonization of our planet. With more than 100 years of application know-how and experience in material science and product development, VAC designs and manufactures mission critical solutions for a wide variety of industries, including renewable energy, e-mobility, automotive, industrial automation, medical, aerospace and defense. VAC's unique ability to develop and manufacture from base elements through final products enables us to provide customers with optimal form factors and performance, generating best in class efficient solutions in an environmentally conscious manner. More information at . About Ara Partners Ara Partners is a global private equity and infrastructure investment firm focused on industrial decarbonization. Founded in 2017, Ara Partners seeks to build and scale companies with significant decarbonization impact across the industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels, and food and agriculture sectors. The company operates from offices in Houston, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Dublin. Ara Partners closed its third private equity fund in December 2023 with over $2.8 billion in capital commitments. As of September 2024, Ara Partners had approximately $6.3 billion of assets under management.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UTILITY ANNOUNCES PARKER MEEKS AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Meeks' initial focus includes driving active commercialization phase for Utility's leading clean hydrogen production technology, profitably transitioning heavy-industry across a strong global pipeline HOUSTON, Feb. 18, 2025 /CNW/ -- Utility, a leader in affordable, reliable and clean hydrogen solutions that drive profitable energy transition for hard-to-abate industries worldwide, today announced Parker Meeks will take the helm as CEO to drive the company's rapid global commercialization of its H2Gen® systems, effective immediately. Meeks brings a proven track record of driving strategic growth, operational performance and technology commercialization across a range of global industries and business environments, including traditional energy, energy transition, infrastructure and mobility. With the company's technology and customer demonstration phase successfully completed, Meeks will spearhead the rapid commercialization and global deployment of new H2Gen systems. He will leverage his extensive expertise in both technology commercialization and several of Utility's high potential markets, including hydrogen supply to mobility, data centers and heavy industry. Prior to joining Utility, Meeks served as CEO of Hyzon, where he successfully led the development and commercialization of cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell system technology. He has also held leadership positions overseeing businesses with significant P&L responsibility under private equity ownership focusing on technology and high-growth initiatives. Meeks also spent over a decade in management consulting primarily to the global energy and infrastructure sectors, including as a Partner at McKinsey & Company and as the Managing Partner of McKinsey's Houston office. "I am thrilled to join Utility at an exciting inflection point in the company's trajectory, as we transition our economic hydrogen production solution from its successful demonstration phase to commercial deployment," Meeks said. "Utility's technology solution has proven itself in hard-to-abate environments such as steel plant operations, and industry-leading customers are actively engaging across end markets on a global scale due to Utility's clear advantages." According to Meeks, "Utility's scalable, modular technology uniquely offers flexibility across geographies and end markets with a common product solution, fundamental profitability, and strong investor support." Solidly backed by Ara Partners, a global private equity and infrastructure investment firm with approximately $6.3 billion of assets under management - alongside several other strategic investors - Utility is well positioned to ramp up commercialization and continue its growth, which Meeks will aptly guide the company through. Cory Steffek, partner at Ara Partners, commented, "Bringing Parker Meeks on board is a game-changer for Utility. With a rare blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, industry relationships and a track record of scaling emerging technologies, Meeks is exactly the leader needed to take Utility to full-scale commercialization. His ability to navigate complex markets, secure key partnerships, and execute at speed will be instrumental in driving the company's next phase of critical growth." The Houston native takes the leadership baton from previous CEO, Claus Nussgruber, who will remain as strategic advisor to Meeks, ensuring a smooth transition. "The Board of Directors thanks Claus for his leadership over the past three years," said Steffek. "His efforts were instrumental in demonstrating Utility's breakthrough technology at a customer steel plant, securing funding from industry leaders such as ArcelorMittal, and expanding the company's global position." As CEO since mid-2021, Nussgruber oversaw significant technical and operational advancements, derisking the technology with a series of breakthrough milestones, including delivering the first plant ever to successfully produce hydrogen directly from blast furnace gas in the hard-to-decarbonize steel industry. Under his leadership, Utility built a highly capable team and developed a strong global customer pipeline across several markets, most notably steel and biogas to hydrogen, including the recent ArcelorMittal funding and GH EnA Project Development announcements. Utility has consistently delivered on its operational and product milestones, a track record the company expects to continue and expand to commercial delivery under Meeks' leadership. Utility Global, Inc. ( is a portfolio company of Ara Partners ( a private equity firm specializing in industrial decarbonization investments. About Utility Utility is a Houston, Texas-based off-gas-to-value company built specifically to enable affordable decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like mobility, steel and others. Utility's H2Gen® system, built on the proprietary eXERO™ gas production technology, needs no electricity to utilize the remaining electrochemical energy contained in a wide range of dilute off-gases to produce high-purity clean hydrogen from water. Utility's H2Gen systems are highly scalable, modular, smaller in size and compatible with existing industrial processes and assets. H2Gen minimizes balance of plant, increases operational flexibility and offers attractive benefits in total cost of ownership. Utility helps companies in hard-to-abate industries meet sustainability and business goals by reducing emissions, energy use and waste profitably. Utility turns the environmental challenges of off-gases into competitive advantages as onsite energy, fuel or feedstock. About Ara Partners Founded in 2017, Ara Partners is a global private equity and infrastructure firm dedicated to decarbonizing the industrial economy. Ara seeks to build, scale, and optimize companies with significant decarbonization impact across the industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and fuels, and food and agriculture sectors. The company operates from offices in Houston, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Dublin. Ara Partners closed its third private equity fund in December 2023 with over $2.8 billion in new capital commitments. As of September 2024, Ara Partners had approximately $6.3 billion of assets under management. For more information about Ara Partners, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Utility View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
