Private investment firm Atar Capital has completed the acquisition of Microcel Corporation, a distributor of technology products in Canada, partnering with Rick Henry, Founder of Microcel.
Henry will remain a shareholder and will continue as Microcel’s President and CEO. The transaction was officially closed on Monday 19 November 2018.
“We are excited to partner with Rick and the Microcel team on this transaction. We see tremendous opportunity in Canada’s growing retail and e-commerce markets,” says Cyrus Nikou, Founder and Managing Partner at Atar Capital. “Microcel’s best-in-class portfolio of brands within the Canadian consumer electronics space, complimented by Atar’s direct-to-consumer, e-commerce and digital marketplace platforms, will serve as a catalyst for growth.”
“Microcel has developed a leading position distributing global technology brands into the Canadian retail market. After speaking with several potential partners, I found Atar’s retail and operational expertise, and their flexibility, speed and growth-oriented investment philosophy, to be a true differentiator that will help catapult Microcel’s market position, going forward. I am looking forward to accelerating the growth of Microcel with our new partners,” said Henry.
Originally founded in 1989 in Newmarket, Ontario, the Company offers exclusive distribution arrangements with high value brands, as well as a proven multi-channel network that includes Canada’s most prominent consumer electronics stores, big-box retailers and specialty retailers. Microcel works with leading brands such as GoalZero, Polk, Belkin, fitbit and Logitech.
Robert Lezec, Senior Managing Director at Atar, added “Atar’s e-commerce, retail and distribution bench strength is strong and deep. We believe that combining our sector expertise with Rick’s unparalleled product vision will lead to significant value creation for Microcel.”
Nikou led the Atar deal team that also included Senior Managing Director Robert Lezec and Managing Directors Stanley Huang and Vijay Mony. Ryan Craver, part of Atar’s Senior Advisory Group, provided subject matter expertise for the transaction.
Atar Capital’s combination of operational expertise, industry knowledge and investment experience provides a unique edge in identifying and creating value and working as a true partner to portfolio companies. The firm assists with initiatives to grow the business and improve operations, leveraging all of the resources available through Atar’s global platform, including a bench of seasoned senior advisors with deep sector and functional expertise.
