Regulatory, market and technological forces are bringing rapid and far-reaching changes in the electricity and natural gas industries. These changes are creating a need for improved equipment, software and services to aid in the generation, transmission, distribution, marketing or consumption of energy, with a focus on electric power, natural gas and other utility-related businesses. Our GFI Energy Group, which executes the Power Opportunities investment strategy, seeks to make controlling equity investments in successful companies that are well positioned to meet those needs.
Our investment team comprises seasoned professionals within the energy sector who work closely with the executives of our portfolio companies to identify and pursue market opportunities, strengthen operations, recruit additional managers, approach key customers, and make complementary acquisitions, among other efforts to maximize shareholder value. We seek to invest in proven performers and market leaders, not start-up ventures or turnarounds.
"Our deep experience as investors, consultants, and direct participants in the electricity and natural gas industries gives us distinctive insight into emerging industry needs, as well as the capability to work with the management teams of our portfolio companies to create significant shareholder value resulting from those needs," says portfolio manager Ian Schapiro. "We believe our exclusive focus on these critical and rapidly changing industries gives us an advantage in our investing and provides meaningful value to our portfolio companies."