Cymat Technologies Ltd V.CYM

Interest

[SmartMoneyGal]

About

Michael is a Professional Engineer/MBA (both from University of Toronto) with over 25 years of merchant banking and senior management experience. He is presently the Managing Partner, Private Equity at Fraser MacKenzie Merchant Capital. From 1996 to present, he has led Liikfam Holdings Inc.(“Liikfam”), a company engaged in both principal investment and merchant banking activities. Michael, through Liikfam, was a partner in HSD Partners, a merchant bank from 1998 to 2004. His senior management experience includes CEO of Cymat Technologies Inc. from 1999 to 2004, (he is currently Executive Chairman) an investee company of HSD Partners; VP Corporate Development Slater Steel Inc. from 1993 to 1998; VP Development Horsham Corporation (predecessor to Trizec Corporation) from 1990 to 1993. Michael started his career with National Bank and was a founding member of their mezzanine real estate lending/investment group. Michael also sits on several public and private company boards including Cymat Technologies Inc., Carthew Bay Technologies Inc., and Colorep Inc.

Experience

• 

  Managing Partner

  Fraser Mackenzie Merchant Capital

   

  2013  - Present 10 years

  Fraser Mackenzie Merchant Capital is a private equity fund manager and boutique financial advisory services firm focused on the lower mid market. The firm's fund activities include buyout and subordinated debt financing for businesses with established cashflows (minimum $1.5MM), across a wide range of industries including business services, manufacturing, software and distribution. Our target cheque size is sub-$10 million with a "sweet spot" of $4 to $7 million.

• 

  President

  Liikfam Holdings Inc

   

  1997  - Present 26 years

  As principal investor, actively involved in all investee companies as either executive chairman or as member of the executive committee of the board.
  Focused primarily on developing growth and capital markets strategies as well as securing financing for investee companies.
  . Advisory practice focused on capital raising for earlier stage companies and private mid-market growth companies.

• 

  Chairman and CEO

  Cymat Corp

   

  1999  -  2003  4 years

  Raised $35 million in equity financing to advance company from R & D stage to commercialization.
  Consolidated technology rights by acquiring outstanding European patents, giving company exclusive world-wide rights to aluminum foam technology.
  Developed and implemented unique low capital-intensive business model to achieve rapid penetration of new technology into auto industry.
  Built management/professional team from 5 to 50 people; established European office.

• 

  Partner

  HSD Partners Inc

   

  1998  -  2003  5 years

  Partner responsible for industrial technology investments.
  Business model based on partners running investee companies for up to 5 years.
  Acquired controlling interest in Cymat Corp, becoming Chairman and CEO

• 

  Vice-President, Corporate Development

  Slater Steel Inc

   

  1993  -  1998  5 years

  Directly responsible for operations, strategic planning, capital expenditures, corporate finance and investor relations.
  Restructured and refinanced operations achieving over 50% increase in revenues and a return to substantial profitability.
  Established research coverage (from zero to seven analysts).
  Lead management buy-out effort together with CEO to privatize company in 1997.

• 

  Vice-President, Development

  Horsham Property Corporation

   

  1990  -  1993  3 years

  Founding member of executive team established to build new development company based in Berlin, Germany
  Lead project professional teams for 5 major multi-phased commercial projects.
  Secured project financing and institutional equity partners for development projects.

• 

  Director of Development, Land Group

  Bramalea

   

  1988  -  1990  2 years

  Identified, evaluated and acquired land for various commercial and residential development projects.
  Established and lead new asset management group within the company.
  Developed business plan for Asian operations and implemented sales networks in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

• 

  Manager, North American Corporate Real Estate

  National Bank of Canada

   

  1984  -  1988  4 years

  Sourced and underwrote project loans for office, condo and hotel developments.
  Underwrote mezzanine/sub-debt component for several of these projects.
  Sourced and managed financial partners for both conventional and sub-debt syndications.

Education