Seller Details:
Tree Line Capital Partners is a private credit asset manager focused on direct lending to lower middle market businesses. The firm provides first lien term loans, unitranche term loans and equity co-investments to lower middle market borrowers with between $5M-$30M of EBITDA in North America in transaction sizes up to $150M. As of May 2024, Tree Line manages $2.7B in investable capital. Since its inception in 2014, the firm has provided approximately $5.0 billion in commitments to over 360 transactions for acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancings, expansion projects and other growth capital needs. Tree Line’s team has extensive direct lending experience spanning multiple economic cycles and has generated significant repeat investment opportunities from the private equity community through reliable execution coupled with a direct relationship approach. Tree Line is headquartered in San Francisco with locations in New York, Austin and Los Angeles.
Buyer Details:
Aflac Global Investments refers to an affiliate of Aflac Asset Management LLC, Aflac Asset Management Japan Ltd., which are the asset management subsidiaries of Aflac Incorporated. Aflac Global Investments division is responsible for managing the invested assets of Aflac Incorporated’s insurance subsidiaries in Japan and the U.S. As of December 2023, Aflac Global Investments managed nearly $100 billion in general account assets and had more than 150 investment and support professionals who work at its offices in New York and Tokyo.
Transaction Summary:
The structure of the deal provides AGI with a 40% interest in the company upon closing. In addition, Aflac is making a multiyear commitment to allocate a portion of its annual investable cashflow to Tree Line. Tree Line will retain investment and operational autonomy with Quimby and Schroeder continuing to manage the business and serving on its board of directors.