Austin, Texas — March 29, 2018 — SpareFoot, the world’s largest online self-storage marketplace, has agreed to acquire SiteLink, a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for the self-storage industry. The deal will bring together two dynamic companies and allow the combined business to accelerate investment, drive innovation and generate value for both consumers and facility operators in the $38 billion self-storage industry.
Cove Hill Partners, a private equity firm based in Boston, will acquire a majority stake in both businesses. SpareFoot CEO Chuck Gordon will become CEO of the combined company, and Ross Lampe will remain President of SiteLink with his team continuing to serve self-storage customers. The transactions are expected to close in the next 30 days, subject to customary closing conditions.
The combined company will draw upon a strong team of experienced and talented employees, existing product integration and established personal relationships between the two businesses, and a shared mission to serve self-storage operators and consumers with a best-in-class experience.
SiteLink President Ross Lampe (left) and SpareFoot CEO Chuck Gordon
“We’re excited to combine two of the most respected and successful technology companies in self-storage,” said Chuck Gordon, CEO of SpareFoot. “This deal and partnership with Cove Hill allows us to increase investment in our products to help self-storage operators run their businesses cost-effectively and help consumers find the perfect storage solution.”
“We have a unique opportunity to deepen our existing product integration and accelerate innovation,” said Markus Hecker, COO of SiteLink. “We remain committed to delivering value and will use our combined resources to help our customers grow their businesses.”
The strategic partnership will enable SpareFoot to find and deliver more tenants to facilities on its network and will accelerate technology investments at SiteLink; this includes myHub development, SiteLink Merchant Services and SiteLink Web Edition, its flagship product.
William Blair served as exclusive financial advisor to SpareFoot.
About SiteLink
SiteLink is a global leader in self-storage management software and in-house payment processing. Profit tools, integrations, quality service and regular updates make SiteLink the favorite of single and multi-store businesses, including most top 100 self-storage operators. In 2014, SiteLink Merchant Services was introduced to integrate payment processing into SiteLink’s self-storage management software. In addition, dozens of SiteLink Marketplace partners like web designers, call centers, kiosks, insurance providers and more are tightly integrated into SiteLink’s robust technology. The company was founded in 1996 and will remain headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
About SpareFoot
SpareFoot was founded by Chuck Gordon and Mario Feghali from their dorm room at UCLA and has grown to become a leading online marketplace for consumers to find and book self-storage. SpareFoot offers consumers the ability to find storage facilities, compare deals, and book seamlessly across more than 12,000 facilities in the U.S. on SpareFoot.com and SelfStorage.com. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
About Cove Hill Partners
Cove Hill Partners is a long-term oriented private equity firm focused on partnering with outstanding management teams to build market-leading consumer and technology companies. The firm was founded in 2017 by seasoned private equity investors to invest their personal capital alongside a small group of likeminded investors. The team currently manages an inaugural fund of over $1 billion with an innovative structure that provides the flexibility to enable a patient, concentrated and value-add approach in a small portfolio of long-term investments.
Contacts:
Direct SpareFoot client inquiries to [email protected] and SiteLink client inquiries to [email protected].
