Global commercial real estate firm to deploy UiPath software robots to enhance technology stack and deliver superior employee and customer experiences

NEW YORK & TORONTO & LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Avison Young, a technology-driven commercial real estate services firm and UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a leading enterprise automation software company, today announced a partnership to deliver the real estate experience of the future. Avison Young will deploy UiPath enterprise automation software to increase the power of its predictive analytics and real estate data, providing brokers and client-facing professionals with faster, more valuable insights on properties to inform client solutions. The company will strategically deploy UiPath robots to free staff of routine, time-intensive tasks, with the long-term vision of providing a robot for every team member.

Avison Young is a leading firm that is seeing consistent growth driven by its use of intelligence platforms that provide clients with insight and advantage. To meet mounting demand and scale its business effectively, the company created a digital transformation strategy that gives staff the tools they need to focus on value-add work and superior client experiences. Central to the strategy is the development of in-house predictive analytics tools which allow teams to make more efficient, data-driven decisions.

To extend the power of these tools—and further free staff of manual tasks—Avison Young is using UiPath’s enterprise automation platform. UiPath robots will be used to support Avison Young’s entire technology stack, sourcing and gathering key commercial real estate data—including access to transportation, air quality, ceiling height, bike scores, and walk scores—faster and with more accuracy and cutting down on potential errors. This data then feeds Avison Young’s analytics platform, delivering insights that empower its sales staff to create bespoke solutions that meet client needs. UiPath was selected as Avison Young’s automation partner of choice for the power and scalability of its platform as well as UiPath’s integrations with other core tech solutions that Avison Young relies on such as Snowflake and Alteryx.

“We’re powered by people. Matching top talent with the best tech solutions has been a key differentiator for Avison Young and is essential to our ability to exceed client expectations by helping businesses, employees, and communities see the full potential of real estate,” said Mark Rose, Chair and CEO at Avison Young. “Our partnership with UiPath will take that commitment to the next level as we apply automaton to accelerate technology, data, and digital transformation. We are only in the early stages of our deployment and are already seeing the value UiPath automation will bring to our employees, our partners, and our customers.”

In addition to powering analytics, Avison Young plans to deploy UiPath robots to boost productivity by automating back-office tasks related to finance, accounting, property management, and other functions. Avison Young’s focus on investing in powerful technology solutions for its staff is a critical component of its strategy to boost employee satisfaction and retention during a period of extreme labor shortages and competitive talent wars.

UiPath also has selected Avison Young as a real estate partner for international real estate transactions, including in cities such as London and Toronto. The company plans to use Avison Young technology—powered by UiPath robots—to guide its global expansion.

“Avison Young’s vision is closely aligned with our own, which is to harness the power and potential of people by giving them the best available tools to make smart decisions, create an enjoyable workplace, and deliver more value in their roles,” said Ashim Gupta, Chief Financial Officer at UiPath. “With many industries facing extreme disruptions and a changing workforce, organizations like Avison Young that apply data and technology to maintain business continuity and achieve a competitive advantage are poised to succeed long-term. Along with being a strategic partner, Avison Young is a prime example of how to leverage automation to accelerate digital transformation.”

About Avison Young

Avison Young creates real economic, social, and environmental value, powered by people. As a private company, our clients collaborate with an empowered partner who is invested in their success. Our integrated talent realizes the full potential of real estate by using global intelligence platforms that provide clients with insights and advantage. Together, we can create healthy, productive workplaces for employees, cities that are centers for prosperity for their citizens, and built spaces and places that create a net benefit to the economy, the environment, and the community.

Avison Young is a 2021 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for ten consecutive years.

www.avisonyoung.com

About UiPath

UiPath has a vision to deliver the Fully Automated Enterprise™, one where companies use automation to unlock their greatest potential. UiPath offers an end-to-end platform for automation, combining the leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution with a full suite of capabilities that enable every organization to rapidly scale digital business operations.

Contacts

Avison Young Media Contacts
Sandra Hill (U.S.)

Sandra.Hill@avisonyoung.com

Andrea Zviedris (Canada)

andrea.zviedris@avisonyoung.com

Rebecca Kalra (U.K.)

rebecca.kalra@avisonyoung.com

UiPath Media Contact
Pete Daly

pr@uipath.com

UiPath Investor Relations Contact
Kelsey Turcotte

investor.relations@uipath.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of office real estate, announced today that, upon completion of the Proposed Acquisition (as defined below), Charles Peach will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Slate Office REIT. He will replace Michael Sheehan, who is stepping down from his role as CFO to pursue other opportunities.

Peach currently serves as CFO of Yew Grove REIT plc (“Yew Grove”), an Irish-incorporated real estate investment trust that is dual-listed on Euronext Dublin (Ireland) and the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Slate Office REIT has made a firm offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Yew Grove (the “Proposed Acquisition”), which was approved by the shareholders of Yew Grove on December 23, 2021. Subject to and upon completion of the Proposed Acquisition, which is expected to occur in February 2022, Peach will step into the role of CFO of Slate Office REIT. No additional remuneration or incentive will be payable to Peach upon him taking on this role.

“Charles is a deeply experienced financial executive with an impressive track record of driving growth and operational excellence,” said Steve Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer of Slate Office REIT. “His global experience, deep knowledge of the office and lite-industrial sectors, and capital markets expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow our platform, further enhance the stability and quality of our portfolio and create value for our investors.”

Hodgson added: “We are very grateful to Michael for his many contributions over the last several years, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Peach has nearly three decades of experience in capital markets, including structuring and raising capital for companies and funds. He started his career with Bear Stearns’ Financial Analytics and Structured Transactions group before joining Nomura’s Exotic Credit Trading Group. In addition to raising and structuring financing for funds and corporate borrowers, he has advised pension schemes and banks on their funding requirements and strategies.

In 2012, Peach joined the Parapet Capital Advisors management team. He and the team established the Yew Tree Investment Fund (“Yew Tree Fund”) targeting Irish office and industrial property and acted as investment adviser to the Yew Tree Fund’s Alternative Investment Fund Manager. The Yew Tree Fund portfolio was purchased by Yew Grove at IPO. In April of 2018, Peach became a Director of Yew Grove and was appointed as CFO in June of that same year. He served on the Investment Committees of both the Yew Tree Fund and Yew Grove.

Peach will work closely with the REIT’s senior management team to ensure a seamless transition in the coming weeks.

About Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN)

Slate Office REIT is an owner and operator of office real estate. The REIT owns interests in and operates a portfolio of 32 strategic and well-located real estate assets across Canada’s major population centres and includes two assets in downtown Chicago, Illinois. 61% of the REIT’s portfolio is comprised of government or credit rated tenants. The REIT acquires quality assets and creates value for unitholders by applying hands-on asset management strategies to grow rental revenue, extend lease term and increase occupancy. Visit slateofficereit.com to learn more.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform focused on real estate. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform spans a range of investment strategies, including opportunistic, value add, core plus and debt investments. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enables us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more.

Statements required by the Irish Takeover Rules

The trustees of the REIT accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the trustees of the REIT (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that this is the case) the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. Some of the specific forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the Proposed Acquisition and the expected timing for completion of the Proposed Acquisition. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SOT-Appt

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

Press Inquiries

+1 312 847 1486

pressinquiries@slateam.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U) (TSX: SGR.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate, announced today that Blair Welch, Founding Partner of Slate Asset Management, the external manager of Slate Grocery REIT, has been appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Slate Grocery REIT. He will replace David Dunn, who is stepping down as CEO of the REIT. Welch will serve as CEO until a permanent successor is identified and will remain a Trustee of the Board during this time.

Welch is the co-founder of Slate Asset Management and has over 25 years of real estate industry experience. He previously served as CEO of the REIT from its inception through 2014 and has also been a Trustee of the Board of the REIT since its inception. Welch will work closely with Dunn and other members of the REIT’s senior management team over the coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition of leadership.

“Blair’s breadth of real estate experience and deep understanding of our business will be an enormous asset during this transition,” said Andrea Stephen, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “He has been closely involved in every aspect of the REIT’s operations since its inception and we are very confident that his leadership, together with the support of our seasoned management team, will enable us to continue building on our strong track record of growth and performance and delivering value for our unitholders. On behalf of the entire Board, I’d like to thank David for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

“Slate Grocery REIT has grown significantly over the last year, and we are well positioned to capitalize on an attractive market and continue that trajectory through high-quality, accretive acquisitions,” said Blair Welch, interim CEO. “I look forward to working closely with the REIT’s best-in-class team to maintain our operational excellence, continue executing on our strategic growth plan and delivering long-term, sustainable income for our unitholders while we evaluate and identify the best long-term leader.”

About Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U / SGR.UN)

Slate Grocery REIT is an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately U.S. $1.9 billion of critical real estate infrastructure across major U.S. metro markets that communities rely upon for their daily needs. The REIT’s resilient grocery-anchored portfolio and strong credit tenants provide unitholders with durable cash flows and the potential for capital appreciation over the longer term. Visit slategroceryreit.com to learn more about the REIT.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform focused on real estate. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform has a range of investment strategies, including opportunistic, value add, core plus and debt investments. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SGR-Appt

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

Press Inquiries

+1 312 847 1486

pressinquiries@slateam.com

ROSEMONT, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. (“Wynnchurch”), a leading middle market private equity firm, announced the sale of a majority interest in Rosboro Holdings, Inc. (“Rosboro” or the “Company”) to One Equity Partners (“OEP”). Under terms of the transaction, Wynnchurch will continue to own a significant minority stake in the Company.

Headquartered in Springfield, Oregon, Rosboro is a leading manufacturer of engineered wood products including stock and custom glued laminated timber (“glulam”) and lumber used in residential and light commercial construction end markets. Following Wynnchurch’s investment in December 2016, Rosboro successfully separated from its captive timberlands, completed the acquisition of Western Structures, scaled the business significantly, built out its sales force to drive pull-through demand, and made investments to improve operations and grow its glulam product offerings.

Brian Crumbaugh, Partner at Wynnchurch, stated, “Rosboro represented an opportunity to invest in a company with a leading market position, differentiated product offering and long-standing customer relationships. We are proud of the management team’s accomplishments during our ownership period and are excited to continue our partnership with management during Rosboro’s next phase of growth.”

“Rosboro is exceptionally well-positioned to benefit from continued tailwinds within its core end markets,” added Chris O’Brien, Managing Partner at Wynnchurch. “We look forward to partnering with OEP and the Rosboro management team over the coming years.”

“Wynnchurch has been a great partner and provided tremendous support during their ownership. They have helped us drive continuous improvement across our operations and execute on multiple organic and inorganic growth initiatives. We are excited to partner with both OEP and Wynnchurch as we look to execute on our long-term growth initiatives,” said Rich Babcock, CEO of Rosboro.

“Rosboro is an excellent business making high-quality differentiated engineered wood products at scale,” said Matthew Hughes, Managing Director at OEP. “Rosboro is poised to benefit from a number of growth drivers including single-family residential housing starts, net migration to the U.S. West, increasing residential repair and remodel, and glulam’s increasing share against structural wood alternatives and other engineered wood products. We look forward to working with CEO Rich Babcock and his team to capitalize on a growing market opportunity.”

Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. and Perkins Coie LLP served as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to Rosboro and Wynnchurch.

Wynnchurch is actively seeking investment opportunities for its $2.277 billion Fund V. In December, Wynnchurch acquired Appvion, a leading provider of specialty and high performance direct thermal coatings. Other recent Wynnchurch investments include: Owen, a leading provider of critical infrastructure equipment, aftermarket parts and services; Trimlite, a leading manufacturer and distributor of residential doors and related door products; Northern Wholesale Supply, a leading provider of RV and marine parts and accessories; and The Wheel Group, a leading designer and distributor of branded aftermarket wheels, specialty tires, and related accessories.

About Rosboro:

Rosboro is a leading manufacturer of engineered wood products used in residential and light commercial construction, including stock and custom glued laminated timber (“glulam”) and a variety of other lumber products. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Springfield, OR, Rosboro has developed a unique product offering focused on customer-driven solutions. Rosboro operates out of two manufacturing campuses located in Springfield and Veneta, OR. For more information, please visit: https://www.rosboro.com.

About Wynnchurch Capital:

Wynnchurch Capital, L.P., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, with offices in California, New York, and an affiliate in Canada, was founded in 1999, and is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm. Wynnchurch’s strategy is to partner with middle market companies in the United States and Canada that possess the potential for substantial growth and profit improvement. Wynnchurch Capital manages a number of private equity funds with $4.2 billion of committed capital under management and specializes in recapitalizations, growth capital, management buyouts, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. For more information, please visit: https://www​.wyn​nchurch​.com.

About One Equity Partners:

OEP is a middle-market private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm builds market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations. OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Since 2001, the firm has completed more than 180 transactions worldwide. OEP, founded in 2001, spun out of JP Morgan in 2015. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, and Frankfurt. For more information, please visit: https://www.oneequity.com.

Contacts

Chris O’Brien

Managing Partner

cobrien@wynnchurch.com
847-604-6108

Brian Crumbaugh

Partner

bcrumbaugh@wynnchurch.com
847-604-6124

Mike Teplitsky

Partner

mteplitsky@wynnchurch.com
847-604-6120

JD Frank

Vice President

jfrank@wynnchurch.com
847-604-6130

Alex Randall

Senior Associate

arandall@wynnchurch.com
847-604-6133

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CommercialRealEstate–H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with over $45 billion of equity capital under management, is pleased to announce that its affiliate, H.I.G. Realty Partners, has completed an off-market acquisition of the Saugus Station Industrial Portfolio (“Saugus Station”), located in Santa Clarita, CA. Saugus Station consists of 24 buildings totaling approximately one million square feet across a 70 acre campus, as well as an adjacent 24 acre, fully horizontally improved industrial development parcel.

Saugus Station is 100% leased to tenants operating primarily in the film, television, entertainment and content production industry, and is within the broader San Fernando Valley industrial market. The San Fernando Valley achieved a 1.1% industrial vacancy rate in Q3 2021 and experienced 5.2% annual rent growth over the past five years, with minimal new supply under construction. Saugus Station will provide H.I.G. with attractive current cash-on-cash returns, as well as upside via a value-add business plan that is well positioned to benefit from the rapid expansion of film and television content production in the Los Angeles MSA.

“The acquisition of Saugus Station provides H.I.G. with a unique opportunity to capitalize on a supply constrained market for entertainment and content production warehouse space,” said David Hirschberg, Co-Head of H.I.G. Realty Partners. “H.I.G. will employ its value-add expertise to significantly enhance the portfolio’s cash flow.”

“With Los Angeles soundstages operating at full capacity and limited industrial inventory to house production equipment, sets, and props, we believe Saugus Station presents a very compelling investment opportunity,” said Adam Belfer, Principal of H.I.G. Realty Partners. “We look forward to implementing our capital plan to reposition Saugus Station into a best-in-class logistics facility that will serve both entertainment industry-focused and also local tenants in Santa Clarita and throughout greater Los Angeles.”

About H.I.G. Realty Partners

H.I.G. Realty Partners is the real estate platform of H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative assets investment firm with over $45 billion of equity capital under management.* H.I.G. Realty Partners manages $8.4 billion of assets and focuses on small-to-mid cap real estate, targeting both equity and debt investments across all property types located throughout the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Equity investments are concentrated on the acquisition of value-add assets, employing a hands-on, operationally focused approach that seeks to generate substantial cash flow and asset appreciation through rehabilitating, redeveloping, repositioning and rebranding assets that have been capital starved and/or poorly managed. Debt investments include senior bridge loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity collateralized by transitional properties and portfolios. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website www.higcapital.com.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative assets investment firm with over $45 billion of equity capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/ value-added approach:

1. H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
2. H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
3. H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
4. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $30 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.

* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.

Contacts

David S. Hirschberg

Managing Director

dhirschberg@higrealty.com

Ira Weidhorn

Managing Director

iweidhorn@higrealty.com