TA Associates
TA Associates was founded in 1968 as a subsidiary of Tucker Anthony, a former US investment bank, before becoming independent in 1977.
The firm is now 100% owned by its partners and employs over 260 professionals, including 160 dedicated to investment.
Today, the company has six offices worldwide (in USA, Europe and Asia) and manages over $45bn through its Private Equity and private debt funds.
An exclusive focus on growth companies
TA Associates specialises in companies with very strong fundamentals:
- These companies record annual sales growth in excess of 15%, with more than 90% recurring revenues.
- They operate in capital-intensive businesses and cater to a diversified customer base.
- They operate in highly fragmented markets offering strong consolidation potential.
TA Associates is prepared to pay high prices if growth prospects justify it. For example, by increasing annual organic growth from 15% to total growth of over 30%, by creating consolidation platforms, through profitable acquisitions.
50 years of sector expertise
- Since its inception, the company has honed its strategy in four sectors of which it has an excellent command: technology, B2B services, healthcare and consumer services.
- Within these sectors, TA Associates favors certain technical and specialised sub-segments that it considers attractive in terms of profitability and barriers to entry.
- TA Associates also has a team of in-house consultants who specialise in each of the preferred sub-segments, and who are fully conversant with the key success factors ("TA Playbook").
Proprietary, differentiating sourcing capabilities
- TA Associates carries out most of its transactions by directly approaching the management teams of target companies in various sectors.
- Professionals at all levels call these managers without going throught intermediaries to find the best opportunities.
- This highly structured origination process is driven by proprietary tools and databases constantly enhanced by TA Associates.
Proven expertise in transforming holding companies
- TA Associates implements M&A programs that boost the operational value creation plans of acquired companies.
- Thanks to this approach, TA Associates has acquired expertise in transforming its targets into genuine consolidation platforms. By 2022, for example, TA Associates had completed over 250 build-ups on its portfolio.