Code Hennessy & Simmons is a private equity

Private equity

Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....

 investment firm focusing on leveraged buyout

Leveraged buyout

A leveraged buyout occurs when an investor, typically financial sponsor, acquires a controlling interest in a company's equity and where a significant percentage of the purchase price is financed through leverage...

 and growth capital

Growth capital

Growth capital is a type of private equity investment, most often a minority investment, in relatively mature companies that are looking for capital to expand or restructure operations, enter new markets or finance a significant acquisition without a change of control of the business.Companies...

 transactions. The firm focuses on investments in middle market companies in four basic industries:

• Business services
• Consumer
• Distribution
• Infrastructure
  Infrastructure
  Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
  
   and industrial products.

The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with approximately 30 employees. Among CHS’s most notable investments are American Laser Centers

American Laser Centers

American Laser Centers, LLC, a privately held company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan,is a national provider of aesthetic services including Laser Hair Removal. It was founded in 2002 and has more than 170 clinics across the United States.-History:...

, Otis Spunkmeyer

Otis Spunkmeyer

Otis Spunkmeyer Inc. is a baked goods distribution company widely known for its name and flagship line of muffins and cookies. Although a relatively small company, Otis Spunkmeyer has enjoyed a large amount of success in the industry, with clients ranging from small family-owned businesses and...

 and AMF Bowling.

History

Code Hennessy & Simmons was founded in 1988 by Andrew W. Code, Daniel J. Hennessy and Brian P. Simmons. The three founders had previously worked together in Citicorp’s Leveraged Capital Group in Chicago, Illinois.

Since its inception in 1988, CHS has raised five private equity fund

Private equity fund

A private equity fund is a collective investment scheme used for making investments in various equity securities according to one of the investment strategies associated with private equity....

s, with total investor commitments of approximately $2.9 billion, dedicated to leveraged buyout

Leveraged buyout

A leveraged buyout occurs when an investor, typically financial sponsor, acquires a controlling interest in a company's equity and where a significant percentage of the purchase price is financed through leverage...

 and growth capital

Growth capital

Growth capital is a type of private equity investment, most often a minority investment, in relatively mature companies that are looking for capital to expand or restructure operations, enter new markets or finance a significant acquisition without a change of control of the business.Companies...

investments in middle market companies:

• 1989 – CHS Fund I - $82.5 million
• 1994 – CHS Fund II - $155 million
• 1997 - CHS Fund III - $350 million
• 1999 - CHS Fund IV - $1.0 billion
• 2005 - CHS Fund V - $1.3 billion

External links

• Code Hennessy & Simmons (company website)