Wynnchurch Capital, a Chicago based middle market private equity fund, is opening an office in Toronto, the company announced Thursday. The office will be headed by newly hired managing director Morty White.

The firm’s expansion into Toronto signifies its further commitment to build a substantial and important presence in Canada. Since its inception in 1999, Wynnchurch has had an office in Montreal and has been committed to investing in Canada. Wynnchurch’s founding partners, John Hatherly and Richard Renaud, are Canadian citizens. The new Toronto office further underscores their commitment to supporting the growth of Canadian businesses through private equity investments, Wynnchurch says.

The Toronto office will be headed by Montreal native Morty White, who will focus on expanding Wynnchurch’s private equity business in Canada. White will be responsible for sourcing new investment opportunities, as well as add-on acquisitions for existing investments.

“I believe that it is a great time to invest in high-quality, Canadian businesses. I am excited to move back to Canada and be a part of strengthening Wynnchurch’s commitment to this market,” White says.

Before joining Wynnchurch, White directed his own consulting practice, working with equity firms and growth companies on due diligence, operations, and investing in special situations. Recent engagements have included vp finance for a turnaround fund, investor in a fast-growing business services company and CFO for an independent print media company. Previously, White worked for GE Capital for seven years, most recently as vp, originating debt and equity investments. His responsibilities at GE included co-founding a private equity group focused on building GE Merchant Banking Group’s standalone investment portfolio.

White holds a Bachelor of Commerce, with Great Distinction, from McGill University, and an MBA, with High Distinction, from the University of Michigan.

“We have invested in two very successful Canadian companies in our current portfolio, Calyx Transportation and The Surepoint Group,” says Hatherly, president and managing partner of Wynnchurch. “And we believe that having Morty on the ground in Toronto will be a catalyst to growing our business in Canada.”

Wynnchurch manages a number of private equity funds with capital under management in excess of US$500 million. Wynnchurch specializes in management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, restructurings, turnarounds and growth capital investments.

IE