Lake Oswego company sells for more than $1.2B

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Navex Global sold Tuesday to a private equity firm in a deal that valued the Lake Oswego company at more than $1.2 billion.

BC Partners, which acquired a majority stake in Navex, didn’t disclose transaction terms. A person with direct knowledge of the deal said it is worth more than $1.2 billion, the sum Portland-based Viewpoint Construction Software sold for in April.

Navex provides regulatory and risk-management products to large organizations.

For example, Navex operates a hotline clients’ employees can call to report instances of workplace misconduct.

It also provides software to ensure companies comply with government regulations.

Navex chief executive Bob Conlin and his team will continue running the business. He said Tuesday BC Partners has promised to provide additional capital to expand.

The deal includes an unspecified level of debt, which is typical of private equity transactions, but Conlin said he’s confident Navex’s cash flows will cover the new liabilities.

“Nothing changes about our business. Nothing changes about our strategy,” he said.

Navex will seek to expand overseas, according to Conlin, and add to its product portfolio. He said the company will also consider acquiring other businesses to expand into adjacent markets.

Formerly known as EthicsPoint, Navex sold in 2014 for $524 million to investment firm Vista Equity Partners. Vista, which owns a majority share in Portland legal technology company Zapproved, will maintain a minority share of Navex.

Oregon companies have enjoyed an investment capital surge over the last few months amid prolonged economic growth and renewed enthusiasm for homegrown businesses.

Other big deals include a $200 million investment in Jama Software last month and the sale of Beaverton legal technology company Exterro in May for more than $100 million.

Navex employs 1,000, including 280 at its Lake Oswego headquarters.

Conlin said sales have been growing by double-digit percentages and will top $200 million this year, fueled by continued government regulation and heightened concerned about workplace misconduct amid the #MeToo movement.

Marketplace