The Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System is acquiring an Australian developer owner and operator of telecommunications towers.
Following the acquisition, the OMERS will consolidate the Stilmark Group with another telecommunications tower business it bought from TPG Telecom Ltd. in May. The assets will be managed by OMERS Infrastructure, which also manages a number of Australian assets, including the the Port of Melbourne and FRV Australia, a renewable energy firm.
According to a press release, Christopher Curtain, senior managing director of the Asia-Pacific region for OMERS Infrastructure, noted the organization has developed a strong working relationship with Stilmark’s management team. “The strong focus on delivering innovative and market-leading solutions for mobile network operators continues to be a key part of our interest in the company. Stilmark is an excellent fit for our new Australian digital infrastructure portfolio as it complements our recent investment in TPG’s mobile tower and rooftop portfolio.”
Read: Caisse financing U.S. fibre optic network expansion, OMERS buying Australian telecom towers
In other news, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is investing in a Montreal-based online furniture retailer.
The $10-million investment in Cozey, an online designer and retailer of modular sofas, will be used to fuel a strategic development plan to enter the U.S. market and to develop new product lines, according to a press release, which noted another $5 million was secured from existing investors and through bank financing.
The investment is part of the Caisse’s broader strategy to support medium-sized companies with strong development potential, noted the release. “With this transaction, CDPQ will be supporting this innovative new economy company toward achieving its future objectives, in particular, an expansion of its various product lines and further penetration of the North American market,” said Kim Thomassin, the organization’s executive vice-president and head of Quebec.
Read: Ontario Teachers’ leads investment round for benefits provider, OMERS backs battery company