We believe sound ESG practices have the potential to improve performance while promoting a positive impact on society and the greater environment. We embrace and integrate ESG factors into our investment strategy and believe doing so enhances our ability to build better businesses and create value. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Engine & Transmission Exchange is a leading independent remanufacturer of aftermarket vehicle transmissions and other automotive aftermarket repair and replacement parts. ETE offers a number of complementary services, including transmission repair, engine and transfer case repair and replacement, and servicing of torque convertors. With a legacy spanning over 35 years, the Company’s proven remanufacturing process returns used transmissions to “new” or “better-than-new” condition by using reclaimed and re-machined components.
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.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Unison offers its clients differentiated solutions to help them transact and manage contracts more efficiently and comply with complex federal contracting requirements. Unison’s software suites turn AI, bot, and NLP technologies into applied innovation—solving real business problems and creating opportunities for clients. A trusted partner with longstanding relationships and a track record of customer-led success, Unison currently serves all 15 U.S. cabinet-level agencies and has more than 200,000 product end users. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and serving 25 markets across the U.S., A1 is a market leader in the direct-to-consumer residential repair and replacement garage door services industry.
The awards may not be representative of any one client’s experience with Audax and is not indicative of Audax’ future performance. Audax has or may provide certain of the parties Mary Hoover Drucker above with de minimis compensation to make use of such awards and recognition. Prior to Audax, Mr. Wolpow was a General Partner and Managing Director of Bain Capital.
Since joining Audax in 2000, Young has invested in more than 40 Audax platform companies. Young primarily focuses on business services, specialty distribution, and medical devices and products. Prior to joining Audax, Young was with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Even as all-senior financing structures and unitranche facilities have become more common, mezzanine remains critical within the capital structures of sponsor-backed companies. For instance, despite the appearance of one legal document, some historical unitranche facilities were, at times, carved up into first-out/last-out positions via a separate lender agreement. More recently, mezzanine funds have generally had flexibility to invest in traditional unsecured notes, second lien loans, holdco PIK notes, and preferred and common equity. Adam joined Audax in 2000 and has since invested in 40 platform companies across healthcare, consumer, and software/technology sectors. Prior to joining Audax, Adam was with the private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, where he focused on leverage buyouts across a number of industries.
Additionally, David is active with the San Francisco chapter of SEO Scholars, which provides educational and career opportunities for underrepresented minority public school students and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Audax dedicates time, resources, and expertise to support a wide array of nonprofit and charitable organizations across Boston, San Francisco, New York, and the local communities in which our businesses operate. Our ESG Committee includes the President of Audax Private Debt, three Managing Directors, and our internal ESG Specialist.
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.
Audax Private Equity Partnering with middle market leaders to fuel growth and build value. The observation that everything old is new again, ironically, never seems to get old. This is particularly true in 2023, as vinyl records again outsell CDs and acid-wash jeans plot their own unlikely comeback.
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.
Sean is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Ante is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Nate is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. We believe experience, relationships, and continuity differentiate our team in the middle market.
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.
Prior to joining Audax in 2021, Alexander worked at HighBrook Investors, where he was Chief Financial Officer and oversaw the finance, portfolio management and debt capital markets functions. Prior to that, Alexander worked at Lexington Realty Trust, focused on corporate transactions. The role of mezzanine within the capital structure isn’t always obvious from the outside looking in.