Apera supports investment by Riverside into GFP

Apera Asset Management (“Apera”), a pan-European mid-market private debt investor, together with Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG (“Berenberg”) proudly announce the arrangement of additional debt facilities to the existing financing to support the investment by funds advised by The Riverside Company (“Riverside”) in GFP Handels GmbH (“GFP”) as a strategic add-on acquisition to its portfolio company Toolport GmbH (“Toolport” or the “Company”).

The initial financing of Toolport had been tailored to support the Company’s organic growth as well as potential acquisitions. Apera together with Berenberg now provided the additional debt facilities for the GFP add-on acquisition, comprising a unitranche acquisition facility in combination with a super senior acquisition facility and an RCF facility increase.

GFP, headquartered in Eferding, Austria, is a leading niche player and online specialist for greenhouses and raised garden beds in the DACH region. GFP is focused on high-quality products with a particular strength in high product customization. The product offering is further complemented by strong customer service and fast delivery.   

Toolport is headquartered in Norderstedt, Germany, and distributes its products directly to customers in Germany, France, the Netherlands and other European countries. Toolport’s broad product portfolio includes consumer tents such as party tents, portable garages and pavilions as well as heavy duty tents for industrial and agricultural purposes. 

Peter Schaberger, Partner at The Riverside Company, said: “The acquisition of GFP marks a significant strategic step for Toolport, increasing the company’s addressable market and serving as a blueprint for further inorganic growth through add-on acquisitions. Toolport and GFP together face an exciting future and we believe a lot of untapped growth potential ahead.”

Klaus Petersen, Partner at Apera Asset Management, said: “We are very glad about the great development of Toolport and the possibility to support this acquisition by the Company. GFP further diversifies and strengthens the product portfolio of the Group and we are looking forward to continuing our support for Riverside and both Companies.” 

You can download a PDF of the Press release here.

About Apera

Apera is a pan-European mid-market private debt investor operating in the UK, the DACH region, the Nordic region, France and Benelux. The firm develops long-term partnerships with private equity investors, SME borrowers, and advisors by providing tailored financial solutions that meet both the operational needs and growth objectives of clients, whilst producing attractive returns. Apera is focused on bringing a new standard of transparency to the private debt market.