OREANDA-NEWS. GE Antares, a unit of GE Capital, announced today it closed more than 220 senior loan transactions, totaling USD 15.3 billion in financing, during 2012.

"Helping build and strengthen the middle market is central to our business," said John Martin, president and CEO of GE Antares Capital. "In 2012, we provided many middle market companies with the financial capital they needed to grow their businesses and prepare for the future. We expect this level of lending to continue into 2013."

During 2012, GE Antares also closed USD 2.9 billion in commitments through the Senior Secured Loan Program (SSLP), through which it co-invests with Ares Capital Corporation in first lien senior secured loans. Since January 2010, the SSLP has committed approximately USD 9.1 billion to middle market borrowers.

"While 2012 saw the effects of events in Europe and the fiscal cliff, investors were still active and there was a normal, steady stream of activity in the market," continued Martin. "We saw many of our long-term customers remaining active and turning to GE to support their growth."

In May, GE Antares led a USD 555 million senior facility for TricorBraun, Inc., a portfolio company of CHS Capital. GE has been a lender to TricorBraun, a leading full-service provider of outsourced rigid packaging solutions in North America, for nearly 15 years. GE Antares has been able to increase deal sizes over this time period to meet the customer’s needs.

GE led a USD 405 million senior facility for Tank Holdings in July 2012 to support the acquisition of the business by Leonard Green & Partners. GE’s relationship with Tank goes back to the late 1980s. Tank Holdings is North America’s leading manufacturer of proprietary rotational molded polyethylene and steel storage tanks and containers used in above-ground, below-ground and portable applications.

GE Antares also delivers more than financial resources. Through a unique program called Access GE, customers can tap into GE’s unique insights, tools and best practices to address needs that go beyond financing. The Access GE team provides insights and resources from across GE, including the industrial and manufacturing disciplines, that can help customers tackle their biggest challenges.

"In 2012, we held 326 one-on-one engagements with 166 customers," said Martin. "We help these companies build stronger businesses by, for example, implementing Lean initiatives, exploring new technologies through connections with GE’s Global Research Center, or sharing best practices regarding workforce planning."