CS Company is a long-established Auckland-based marketer and distributor of prestige fragrances, cosmetics and consumer toiletries in New Zealand. The business holds exclusive distribution rights from 38 international suppliers – a portfolio of more than 100 different brands. Key international suppliers include Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Coty Lancaster, Bonne Bell and Hasbro. Brands include Max Factor, Cover Girl, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Wella, Pantene, Vicks and Adidas.

CS is the largest independent multi-brand distributor in its market. The company employs around 50 staff, half of whom fulfill marketing, brand management and direct sales roles. It provides a full, turn-key service to international suppliers (with whom it has long-term relationships), assuming ownership of stock and undertaking all promotional, marketing support, sales, merchandising, distribution and logistical functions.

In 2005, the AMP Pencarrow Fund entered into a joint investment with the AMP Private Capital Fund to purchase a significant stake in CS. Former 100% owner, Ken Millar, has retained a significant stake in the business, and the senior management team has also taken the opportunity to invest in the company.

Rod Gethen is a director of CS Company.

New Zealand Crane Group (NZ Crane) is the holding company for 3 hire businesses specialising in mobile cranes, tower cranes and access equipment. The business operates in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington. NZ Crane’s strategic vision is to become New Zealand’s leading lifting solutions provider. It differs from its main competitors by focusing on providing tailored lifting solutions which is facilitated by having a significantly wider range of equipment than competing crane companies.

NZ Crane has expanded its business rapidly in the past four years to become the market leader in the Auckland region. Since our investment, it has acquired the leading Bay of Plenty mobile crane operator and a well established Wellington based crane company, cementing its North Island footprint.

In 2005, the AMP Pencarrow Fund entered into a joint investment with the AMP Private Capital Fund to purchase a significant stake in NZ Crane. The two founding owners together with the rest of the senior management team, have retained a significant stake in the business.

Rod Gethen and Nigel Bingham are directors of NZ Crane.

Rishworth Aviation Ltd (Rishworth) is one of the world’s largest international aviation pilot, air crew leasing providers with circa 500 pilots leased to 35 airlines throughout Asia, India, Europe, North Africa and the Pacific Rim.

Rishworth operates out of regional offices in Auckland, New Zealand and Stockholm, Sweden and is supported by in-market representatives in various key markets.

In December 2005 the AMP Pencarrow Fund completed an MBI of Rishworth, with in-coming Managing Director, Mark East and key management acquiring shareholdings. The previous owner retained a small shareholding and ongoing involvement as a non-executive director.

Rishworth was established in 1985 and entered the emerging niche of the pilot leasing market in 1993. It grew its business rapidly, focusing initially on the Asia Pacific region, and then in 2001, the European market, where it opened an office based in Stockholm.

Nigel Bingham is a director of Rishworth.

Phil & Teds (P&T) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of a range of premium nursery products with its flagship product being the three-wheeled e3 Explorer buggy. P&T’s products are exported to 20 countries and exports represents around 92% of the company’s sales.

P&T operates a highly efficient virtual operating business model where it outsources its manufacturing, logistics and distribution to strategic partners. Virtually all manufacturing is contracted out of China at competitive industry cost and quality to P&T’s proprietary designs and requirements (design and production engineering being core P&T competencies).

P&T is focused on the “kids and travel” category of the nursery products market where it is developing a strong brand image for innovation and quality. It is positioned at the mid to upper end of the market where its products appeal to sophisticated quality focused buyers demanding enhanced functionality and style.

In 2006, the AMP Pencarrow Fund acquired a cornerstone stake in P&T and facilitated the opportunity for selected senior management to obtain a stake in the business alongside P&T’s CEO, Campbell Gower, who retains a majority stake in the company.

In March 2009, P&T acquired its largest global competitor in the 3-wheeled category, Mountain Buggy.

Nigel Bingham is a director of P&T.

Home Ideas Group (Home Ideas) is the leading New Zealand provider of home and building product display. Home Ideas operates exhibitor centres that offer space to companies that display a wide range of home products and services for homeowners, builders, renovators and architects to view efficiently in one space.

In 2006, the AMP Pencarrow Fund invested alongside existing owner and Managing Director, Colin Lowery, providing expansion capital for the Home Ideas Group in New Zealand to acquire Home Ideas centres in major cities across Australia.

Following the acquisition, Home Ideas Group has become a trans-Tasman business, with centres represented in the eight major cities of both countries – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Home Ideas Group can now provide its exhibitor customers with coverage throughout New Zealand and Australia enabling exhibitors on both sides of the Tasman to tap into a significantly larger market.

Nigel Bingham and Raina DeLillo are directors of Home Ideas.

BJ Ball is the New Zealand’s leading fine paper merchant. It supplies a broad range of paper and related products to the printing and publishing industry as well as office supplies companies.

In October 2008, the AMP Pencarrow Fund backed a management buyout of BJ Ball from Archer Capital (an Australian private equity firm) immediately following a merger of BJ Ball with the New Zealand operations of CPI (a major ASX-listed paper merchant).

Rod Gethen and Nigel Bingham are directors of BJ Ball.