28 March 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – O’Melveny represented Prince Mineral Company, Inc. and parent company Palladium Equity Partners II, LP. in the acquisition of the business and assets of American Minerals, Inc., the largest custom processor of ores and minerals in its field.
New York partner Greg Gilbert led the corporate team, which included Chris Nugent and Andy Frank. Fred Bachman, Rick Bange, Vivian Encarnacion, and Agnes Park handled finance matters. Jeff Held advised on real estate matters; Brad Okun handled tax matters; and Wayne Jacobsen advised on ERISA matters. Also assisting were Christina Lovato, on environmental issues, and Jeff Kohn, on labor.
“American Minerals is a leader in industrial minerals with longstanding customer relationships and a talented and experienced management team,” said Prince Chairman Willson Ropp. “The acquisition of AMI provides Prince with growth and expansion opportunities into new markets and products. The combination will allow us to provide additional services to our customers and will broaden our geographic reach. This is a positive event for the employees, suppliers, and customers of both companies.”
Prince Mineral Company is a leading producer of specialty mineral products with a particular focus on naturally occurring minerals used primarily in pigment applications. The company operates four processing facilities strategically located in the U.S. covering the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern markets.
New York-based Palladium Equity Partners, LLC is a private equity firm focusing investments in middle market companies with the objective of generating superior risk-adjusted returns through proven financial and operating expertise. Since 1986, the principals have invested almost $1 billion of equity in 28 portfolio companies.
Pennsylvania-based American Minerals, Inc. processes and trades a range of industrial minerals, including chrome, zircon, magnesite, and iron pyrites, from four locations. Primary applications include the foundry, glass, abrasives, and refractory markets.
