- Premier essential transportation infrastructure asset in Canada’s largest urban centre
- Acquisition consistent with AGF’s capital allocation strategy in support of growth
- Furthers development of AGF’s alternatives platform
TORONTO, ONTARIO (January 27, 2015) — InstarAGF Asset Management Inc. (“InstarAGF”), an independent alternative asset management firm, and AGF Management Limited (TSX: AGF.B; “AGF”) today announced that Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners GP (“Nieuport Aviation”), a consortium of Canadian and international infrastructure investors including InstarAGF, has acquired the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (“BBTCA”) from Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (“PAHI”). Nieuport Aviation will manage, operate and maintain the terminal under a long-term lease from Ports Toronto, which owns and operates BBTCA.
InstarAGF’s partners in Nieuport Aviation include Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited, Partners Group, and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Nieuport Aviation encompasses longterm infrastructure owners and operators with significant local presence, international expertise in managing aviation infrastructure, and a commitment to world-class client service.
“The terminal is a premier essential infrastructure asset with an established operating history, robust contractual framework and positive long-term outlook,” said Gregory Smith, President and CEO, InstarAGF. “We are delighted to be investing alongside world-class local and international partners, which demonstrates the strength and reach of our relationships and our team’s ability to deliver access to exceptional infrastructure assets. Billy Bishop Airport and the terminal have solid fundamentals and a critical role as a vital transportation hub and economic growth driver for the city of Toronto and surrounding region.”
InstarAGF is a joint venture between Instar Group Inc., a company owned by Gregory J. Smith, and AGF. InstarAGF contributed approximately $105 million of capital to acquire the terminal, which will be a cornerstone investment in InstarAGF’s Essential Infrastructure Fund. The Fund is expected to achieve its first close in the first half of 2015.
“InstarAGF’s investment in the Billy Bishop airport terminal is consistent with our strategy to deploy capital to initiatives that will deliver growing and sustainable shareholder value,” said Blake C. Goldring, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AGF. “The terminal is a compelling asset for InstarAGF’s essential infrastructure fund, and accelerates the development of AGF’s alternatives platform. Our alternatives business expands and diversifies AGF’s investment capabilities, and bolsters our product offering for retail, institutional and high net worth clients globally.”
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
BBTCA is the ninth busiest airport in Canada, serving 2.4 million passengers in 2014. The terminal is a state-of-the-art facility newly constructed by City Centre Terminal Corp., a subsidiary of PAHI, in 2010. The airport is a major economic engine for the Greater Toronto Area, generating approximately $1.9 billion in total annual economic impact and supporting approximately 5, 700 direct and indirect jobs. It is accessible to about 6.6 million residents within a one-hour drive. In 2013, Billy Bishop Airport was recognized by Skytrax as one of the world’s best small airports.
About InstarAGF Asset Management
Launched in 2014, InstarAGF is an independent alternative asset management firm. InstarAGF’s investment objective is to deliver superior-risk adjusted returns to global institutional and qualified investors through its emphasis on mid-market opportunities in the infrastructure sector and other alternative asset categories. InstarAGF, which makes direct investments and co-investments with like-minded investors and strategic partners is a joint venture between Instar Group Inc. and AGF Management Limited. For more information: www.instaragf.com
About AGF Management Limited
AGF Management Limited is one of Canada’s premier independent investment management firms with
offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. AGF’s products include a diversified family of
mutual funds, mutual fund wrap programs and pooled funds. AGF also manages assets on behalf of
institutional investors including pension plans, foundations and endowments as well as for private clients.
With approximately $34.5 billion in total assets under management, AGF serves more than one million
investors. For more information: www.agf.com
For More Information:
Media, please contact:
Joel Shaffer
Longview Communications
Email: jshaffer@longviewcomms.ca
Tel: 416-649-8006
Sarah Borg-Olivier
Senior Vice President
InstarAGF Asset Management
Email: sarah.borg-olivier@instaragf.com
Tel: 416-815-6260
AGF Management Limited shareholders and analysts, please contact:
Robert J. Bogart
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial
Email: bob.bogart@agf.com
Tel: 416-865-4264
Adrian Basaraba
Senior Vice-President, Finance
Email: adrian.basaraba@agf.com
Tel: 416-865-4203