GE Antares Provides $330 Million to Support HGGC’s Majority Ownership Investment in Survey Sampling International, LLC

CHICAGO--()--GE Antares, a unit of GE Capital, announced today it is serving as administrative agent on a $330 million senior secured credit facility to support HGGC’s majority ownership position in Survey Sampling International, LLC (“SSI”). GE Capital Markets served as sole bookrunner and joint lead arranger on this facility.

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Shelton, CT, SSI delivers market research insights by managing more than 31 million surveys annually. SSI’s more than 3,000 customers range from market research and consulting firms to Fortune 500 businesses and universities.

“GE's deep understanding of SSI’s differentiated business model resulted in an extremely successful execution of the deal,” said Hudson Smith, principal at HGGC.

"HGGC has an excellent track record in technology enabled businesses and we're pleased to lead the financing in support of HGGC’s investment in SSI," said Mary Gaede, managing director of GE Antares. "Since becoming part of our portfolio in 2011, we’ve watched the company continue to innovate, expand and succeed. We look forward to continuing to support management and HGGC as they execute on their growth goals."

About SSI

SSI is the premier global provider of data solutions and technology for consumer and business-to business survey research, reaching respondents in 86 countries via Internet, telephone, mobile/wireless and mixed‐access offerings. SSI staff operates from 25 offices in 18 countries, offering CATI, questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, online custom reporting and data processing. SSI’s 3,300 employees serve more than 3,000 clients worldwide. More information is available at www.surveysampling.com.

About HGGC

Based in Palo Alto, California, HGGC is a leading private equity firm focusing on leveraged buyout, recapitalizations and growth equity transactions in the middle market. HGGC seeks to partner with strong management teams, founders and sponsors to build companies capable of generating sustainable growth. With years of collective deal and operational experience, HGGC brings best practices from private equity and global corporations to help middle market businesses in a wide range of industries outperform the market. More information is available at www.hggc.com.

About GE Antares Capital

GE Antares is a unit of GE Capital. With offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, GE Antares is a leading middle market lender, offering a one-stop source for GE’s lending and other services offered to middle market private equity sponsors. GE Antares was recognized by Private Debt Investor and Private Equity International as 2013 Lender of the Year, North America and Mid-Cap Lender of the Year, North America, respectively. For more information, visit geantares.com.

GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit www.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (https://twitter.com/GECapital).

GE (NYSE:GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com

Contacts

GE Antares Capital
Alexandra Abrams, 312-441-7356
alexandra.abrams@ge.com
or
GE Capital, Americas
Tara Lambropoulos, 312-441-7854
tara.lambropoulos@ge.com

Contacts

GE Antares Capital
Alexandra Abrams, 312-441-7356
alexandra.abrams@ge.com
or
GE Capital, Americas
Tara Lambropoulos, 312-441-7854
tara.lambropoulos@ge.com