GPS Investment Partners is one of the leading global private equity firms focused on control investments. Founded in 2005, it has over $16 billion in assets under management across a range of funds and investment vehicles. GPS is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and has additional offices in New York, San Francisco and London. The firm targets investments in the business services, healthcare, industrial and consumer sectors. Over the years, GPS has invested in many successful companies and produced excellent returns for its limited partners. Let’s take a closer look at GPS Investment Partners’ investment approach, sector focus, portfolio companies and performance track record.
GPS Focuses on Investing in High Quality Companies with Defensible Market Positions
GPS Investment Partners’ investment approach centers around finding high quality companies with defensible market positions and strong management teams. The firm looks to invest in established businesses with leading or rapidly growing market shares. GPS targets companies with diversified customer bases, recurring revenues, sustainable competitive advantages and the potential for long-term earnings growth. The firm conducts extensive due diligence on potential investments, assessing market dynamics, end markets, competition and growth opportunities. GPS aims to partner with exceptional management teams and provide strategic and operational guidance to drive growth and value creation.
GPS Focuses on Business Services, Healthcare, Industrial and Consumer Sectors
GPS invests across a range of sectors but has particular expertise and focus on business services, healthcare, industrial and consumer companies. Within business services, GPS targets technology-enabled services, outsourced business processes, testing and inspection services, payment processing and information/data businesses. In healthcare, GPS looks for provider services, outsourced services, healthcare IT and medical products. For industrials, transportation & logistics, testing & inspection services and specialty manufacturing are key areas. And in consumer, GPS focuses on food & beverage, personal care and household products. GPS leverages its sector experience and network of industry executives to source proprietary deals and drive post-investment value creation.
GPS Has Built a Strong Track Record of Realized Returns
Since its founding in 2005, GPS has raised over $16 billion across six funds. The firm has invested in 75+ platform companies. GPS has significant experience in healthcare, with 25+ healthcare investments. The firm’s portfolio includes market leaders such as Air Medical Group Holdings, Ensemble Health Partners, Shields Health Solutions, Upstream Rehabilitation and Carrus. GPS has realized strong returns from successful investments like ABRA Auto Body & Glass, Heartland Dental, A Place for Mom, MedRisk and Solera. Several investments have returned 3-5x their invested capital. Overall, GPS has delivered net IRRs of 30-40% and TVPIs of 2-3x. The firm has consistently outperformed public market equivalents and ranked in the top quartile of private equity returns.
GPS Leverages a Strong Network and Value-Added Approach to Investing
A key part of GPS’ strategy is leveraging its extensive network of industry executives, advisors and investment partners to source proprietary deals and drive value creation. The firm utilizes over 100 advisors across its target sectors. GPS’ Operating Partner program directly involves former CEOs and executives in working with portfolio companies. The firm also provides significant support to management teams through its Strategic Resource Group and Value Creation Team. With sector expertise, operational resources and a collaborative approach, GPS has established a proven model for investing in and growing companies.
In summary, GPS Investment Partners has emerged as a leading private equity firm with a successful track record of investing in high quality companies and working closely with management teams to drive growth. Its disciplined approach, sector expertise and value-added model position GPS well for continuing to deliver strong returns for investors.