C. Garland

The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm engaged in the acquisition and ownership of operating businesses. Founded in 1982, Sterling has focused on making equity investments in leveraged-buyout transactions (LBOs), management-backed recapitalizations and other acquisition-related financings. The Sterling Group has acquired 42 platform companies totaling over $9.9 billion in value. Sterling's second institutional fund was raised in 2005 and totaled $470 million. Most recently, Sterling successfully raised its third institutional fund, which totaled $820 million. In addition to being a leading sponsor of LBOs in the chemical and agribusiness industries, Sterling has sponsored transactions in general manufacturing, distribution and retailing businesses. Transaction sizes generally range from $100 million to $500 million, and EBITDA greater than $15 million. Sterling targets investments of $40 million to $100 million. The firm prefers not to invest in financial services, real estate, health care or high-technology companies. The firm invests in companies headquartered in the United States and Canada.