RYE, N.Y.— February 8, 2010 — SFW Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests with management in mid-sized companies providing analytical tools and services, today announced the purchase of AGDATA, LP. SFW is partnering in this investment with AGDATA’s CEO, Richard Bettison, members of management, and Verl Purdy, AGDATA’s founder who continues as a major shareholder.
AGDATA is the leading provider of strategic data and analytical solutions to the world’s largest agricultural and animal health manufacturers. The Company maintains direct connectivity to more than 9,500 industry retailers and distributors, representing more than 90% of the U.S. market. AGDATA assists its clients in data collection, reconciliation and market analytics. It also designs and administers targeted marketing programs and performs custom research. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, AGDATA operates throughout the United States and Canada.
SFW commented that “AGDATA exhibits the key characteristics that we look for in all of our investments in the analytical tools market: high-value products and services, deep customer relationships, and significant opportunities for growth. We look forward to partnering with the AGDATA management team to build on and extend the success of the Company.”
“We are very pleased to be working with the SFW team, which is a respected long-term investor and builder of analytical information businesses,” said Mr. Bettison. “We are very proud of our accomplishments here at AGDATA, and this significant investment serves as a strong endorsement for our business model and growth strategy, as well as our future prospects.”
Golub Capital provided a fully underwritten commitment for the financing to support the acquisition.
About SFW Capital Partners
SFW is a private equity firm that invests with management in mid-sized companies providing analytical tools and services, including instruments, information and software, and outsourced analytical services. As a team, the partners at SFW have supported some of the most successful and well-regarded companies in its target markets. For more information, please visit www.sfwcap.com.
About AGDATA
Founded in 1985, AGDATA provides mission-critical strategic data solutions, including outsourced database management, marketing program administration, data collection and data analysis services to the agriculture, crop protection, and animal health industries. AGDATA is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, please visit www.agdata.net.
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