Greenwich, CT – January 3, 2022 – Littlejohn & Co. LLC, a leading private investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, has announced its strategic acquisition of Magnate Worldwide (“MWW”), a prominent supply chain management company. This acquisition underscores Littlejohn & Co.’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in the transportation and logistics sector, particularly within premium freight services. The financial terms of this transaction remain undisclosed.
Magnate Worldwide has built a strong reputation by delivering specialized logistics solutions for sensitive, high-value, and time-critical shipments. Their expertise spans across various industries, offering services like expedited domestic transportation, specialized fine arts logistics, and comprehensive global freight forwarding, all underpinned by a commitment to exceptional customer service. MWW operates through two well-established logistics brands: Masterpiece International and TrumpCard, each catering to distinct segments within the premium logistics market.
Masterpiece International brings over 25 years of experience in providing customs brokerage and international logistics services. Strategically located with 17 offices in major international shipping hubs across the United States, Masterpiece excels in handling complex air, ocean, and ground shipments. They offer a complete suite of international logistics services, tailored to meet the diverse needs of a wide array of industries requiring sophisticated global shipping solutions.
TrumpCard, on the other hand, specializes in premium logistics services for high-value and time-sensitive shipments within key sectors such as healthcare, aerospace, entertainment, and electronics. Their service portfolio includes time-definite LTL (Deferred) options, airfreight, and other expedited domestic and international services. TrumpCard also distinguishes itself with customized white-glove services, ensuring the most delicate and critical shipments are handled with the utmost care and precision.
Ed Feeley, Managing Director at Littlejohn & Co., commented on the acquisition, stating, “Magnate Worldwide perfectly aligns with Littlejohn’s deep investment expertise in the transportation and logistics sectors. In an environment where global and domestic supply chains are increasingly complex, MWW stands out with its ability to navigate these challenges. Their broad range of premium logistics services, customer-centric approach, advanced information technology, and strong management team make them an ideal partner. We are enthusiastic about supporting the MWW team to accelerate the Company’s growth trajectory.”
Dante Fornari, CEO of MWW, also expressed his positive outlook on the partnership: “We are excited to embark on the next chapter of Magnate Worldwide’s journey by joining forces with Littlejohn, a recognized private investment firm known for fostering long-term value creation within its portfolio companies. Littlejohn’s strategic capital and resources will be invaluable as we aim to expand our scale, pursue organic growth opportunities, and further enhance our platform through strategic mergers and acquisitions.”
The financing for the acquisition was secured through Citizens Bank, N.A. and Prospect Capital Corporation. Citizens Bank, N.A. also served as the financial advisor to Littlejohn, while legal counsel was provided by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
About Littlejohn & Co., LLC
Based in Greenwich, CT, Littlejohn & Co. is a private investment firm focused on both private equity and debt investments, primarily targeting middle market companies. With approximately $14 billion in regulatory assets under management, Littlejohn employs a disciplined approach to driving operational improvements and building sustainable success within its portfolio companies. For further details about Littlejohn & Co. and their investment strategy, please visit www.littlejohnllc.com.
