Private equity firm H.I.G. Capital was presented with the South Florida Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth’s (ACG-South Florida) inaugural President’s Private Equity award on Tuesday for its track record of deal-making and portfolio company growth. ACG-South Florida specifically highlighted the firm’s acquisition last year of supplier BIC Graphic (PPAI 114187) as an illustration of both areas of expertise.

In June 2017, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital acquired Tampa, Florida-based BIC Graphic and its affiliated Asia sourcing operations from Société BIC S.A. In its presentation of the award, ACG-South Florida noted that the acquisition reflected a true partnership approach between H.I.G., Société BIC and BIC Graphic. The groups worked together pre-close to complete the divestiture from BIC, and are pleased that the company is now a successful standalone entity.

“BIC Graphic is a clear leader in a consolidating market due to its compelling customer value proposition,” says Camilo E. Horvilleur, managing director at H.I.G. “To accelerate growth, we will further pursue innovative product development and expand upon the company's operational excellence and technology leadership. We see substantial opportunities to grow organically and through mergers and acquisitions. We have been thrilled with the company’s performance since the acquisition and are very pleased to have partnered with a new CEO, David Klatt, to lead the business through an accelerating growth plan.”

The President’s Private Equity Award will be presented along with other category awards to South Florida’s leading businesses: Outstanding Growth Company of the Year (ABB Optical Group), Emerging Growth Companies of the Year (e-Builder, A Trimble Company, SMP Pharmacy Solutions), and Transactions of the Year (Chewy Inc. and Modernizing Medicine).