Private
Capital
[Vignettes]
Our
private capital has been disbursed either by taking equity positions
directly, or else by granting credit facilities and owning options
which will permit us to convert debt into equity in the future. Here
are some examples of positions we have taken:
Vehicles:
We have invested directly in companies which make and repair specialty
vehicles; and we have purchased BMW/Renault & Range Rover dealerships
through buying the parent company. Most auto dealerships we have,
as part of Corporate Doctoring for
them: extended credit facilities (various brands of auto, motor bike
and agricultural vehicles).
Mining
& Manufacturing: We have made direct investments in
coal, gold & graphite mining companies. Have extended credit
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to
mine subcontractor and supply companies. We have funded electronic
device mfgrs with debt capital, the same with extrusion molding furniture
maker, two machine tool makers, a knitwear manufacturer; and we have
made direct investments in two high end accessory makers. Socially:
We Lent lots to micro enterprises on 4 continents.
Room & Board: We have invested debt capital into 16
thousand hotel rooms and equity capital into 260 more. We sunk equity
capital in saving then owning a chain of 27 fast food restaurants
[We don't claim to be perfect] Socially we funded soup
kitchens in many cities - for a higher return.
Travel
& Entertainment: We bought up tour operators and a
chain of retail travel agencies on each side of the Atlantic at the
height of a fuel crisis: and did well. Whith local partners we saved
then owned the main historic/touristic sites
on a most popular Mediterranean isle. |
Then
the Govt. changed. We invested in a production company & theatres:
to mixed reviews. Encores not likely.. Property
& Construction: Through buying up the shares of the
companies which owned them we have held private and commercial developments
in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and cities in Europe Relatively safe
but not very dimensional. The same can be said of the only large construction
we held. ElFin
Wholesale, Retail & Traders: While we have owned businesses
in each of these categories it is safe to say the largest tranche
of debt capital we have put out to save companies has been to those
engaged in these pursuits. We are probably most open to do more of
this. |