We work collaboratively to build financing solutions shaped to meet the needs of our private equity clients, capital partners, and investors. Audax Private Debt invests in established middle market companies through first lien, stretch senior, unitranche, second lien, junior debt and equity co-investment solutions. With the successful closing of Mezz Fund V, Audax Private Debt will continue to execute on its proven strategy of directly sourcing junior debt investments in private equity sponsor-backed companies in North America. With DLS, Audax Private Debt continues its proven strategy of directly sourcing debt investments in private equity sponsor‐backed middle market companies. The Fund enables Audax Private Debt to utilize its senior and junior debt underwriting expertise to provide unitranche and stretch senior financings of up to $175 million per transaction. Peter is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, overseeing our unitranche and junior debt investment teams.
As a multi-asset class manager with a range of alternative investment strategies, Audax has established long-term relationships across the middle market and invests in every tranche of the capital structure on behalf of a global and diverse investor base. While at GE Capital, Mike held various leadership positions in its leveraged finance businesses for PE sponsor and non-sponsor transactions, including new business origination, portfolio management, credit workouts, and restructurings. Senior lenders may also be amenable to mezzanine due to the lack of regularly scheduled, required principal amortisation payments and because the cash interest portion can be blocked by senior debt providers during times of business underperformance.
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The ESG Committee is responsible for the implementation of our ESG Policy and assesses the quality and consistency of our approach to ESG integration and risk management. At Audax Private Debt, Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) principles have been an important factor in our investment decision Mary Hoover Drucker making and our management process since our inception. Vortex Companies is a provider of trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation products and services. Prior to Blackstone’s acquisition of GSO Capital in 2008, Colleen joined GSO with a team from the RBC Capital Markets’ Debt Investments Group.
Remanufactured transmissions and other remanufactured auto parts are sold by the Company into retailer, installer, distributor, and other channels to be installed in vehicles across the United States. Market volatility, high inflation, and rising rates have heightened concerns over the near-term economic outlook. With the possibility of a recession increasing, Audax Private Debt discusses why it’s critical for managers to have robust risk and portfolio management practices to navigate the environment ahead. The information provided on this page is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. While we strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currentness of the content.
The Company has grown rapidly, both organically and through acquisitions, since its founding in 2007. Today, A1 is one of the largest and most reputable residential garage door service providers in the country. Since joining Audax in 2006, David has been involved with over 30 of Audax’ platform companies. David primarily focuses on medical products and healthcare services, business and industrial services, and specialty distribution. Audax Group targets investments in the U.S. middle market, the world’s third largest economy as measured by Gross Domestic Product . Prior to joining Audax in 2015, Jason worked at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Bingham McCutchen LLP as Counsel, where he advised private fund clients and other investment advisers.
Solid relationships and flexible solutions are key to private debt’s ongoing success in the PE mid-market, says Audax Private Debt president Kevin Magid. Our team is collaborative, experienced, and has built lasting relationships, establishing Audax Private Debt as a trusted name in the U.S. middle market. Chelsea is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, overseeing portfolio management for our Originated Debt platform. Prior to joining Audax in 2009, Alex was a Manager of Business Development at Arrowstreet Capital, where he built relationships with institutional investors on a global basis. Prior to Arrowstreet, Alex was a Principal at Hamersley Partners, where he helped emerging managers raise capital.
Audax Private Debt achieved the highest position in PitchBook’s 2023 Annual U.S. PE Lending League Tables, securing the #1 spot as the most active lender in U.S. PE. Additionally, the firm is proud to have attained the #1 rank in both the “Overall” and “Select Roles” lists of PitchBook's 2023 U.S. Prior to joining Audax, Joe worked at The Parthenon Group, a strategic advisory firm. Joe received an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A.
In an uncertain rate environment, the fixed-rate options of mezzanine structures provide an interest-rate hedge, instilling more certainty for borrowers in a dynamic and evolving market. The increase in the cost of capital for floating-rate debt is also driving weaker fixed-charge coverage and interest coverage ratios. But to fully appreciate the pick-up in the mezzanine market, it helps to understand the factors influencing other areas of debt financing. Banks and other senior debt lenders have reduced their risk appetite and pulled back on their commitment sizes.
Rob is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Even in benign environments, mezzanine debt holds unique appeal, with attributes that senior-only facilities don’t provide. Mezzanine, today, is being used by sponsors not just for new platform financing arrangements but also portfolio company expansion, when sponsors need to fund M&A but are reluctant to reprice existing credit facilities at today’s higher rates. Tim is an Analyst at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team.
Audax Private Debt (“Audax”) announced that, as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger, it provided a unitranche credit facility to support Gauge Capital (“Gauge”) in their acquisition of Engine & Transmission Exchange (“ETE” or the “Company”). Audax Private Debt Flexible, customized equity solutions for private equity sponsors. Paradoxically, the shifting landscape has had little influence on purchase price multiples – at least not for the deals getting done. A flight to quality coupled with a dearth of dealflow means that valuations for businesses with strong growth prospects remain elevated. Adequate leverage, thus, is required to finance new platform acquisitions, and mezzanine debt has helped fill this gap.
This has translated into widening spreads for unitranche loans and LBO leverage levels generally trending lower. A few significant differences distinguish the gravitation to mezzanine debt from other fashion trends. The surge in interest is an outgrowth of more fundamental drivers, ranging from escalating interest rates to the ongoing retrenchment of “traditional” bank lenders. Also, while vinyl records have been collecting dust, mezzanine financing never went away.
He was previously employed at Drexel Burnham Lambert and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he began his career and focused on leveraged finance. Marc Wolpow is Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Audax Group and Executive Chairman of Audax Private Debt. Along with his business partner, Geoff Rehnert, Mr. Wolpow manages the firm and has overseen all phases of Audax Group’s development since its founding in 1999. Prior to starting Audax Private Debt in 2000, Kevin was a Managing Director in the Leveraged Finance/Merchant Banking Group at CIBC World Markets Corp. He also previously worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Wasserstein Perella and Kidder Peabody, principally in a leveraged finance role.