TSSP and SMi-Enerpro, a Division of The SM Group Inc., Launch Joint Venture to Bring SMi-Enerpro Energy Optimization Solutions to Broader Commercial Real Estate Market

Venture to make SMi-Enerpro's energy and cost saving Technology Suite available globally at no upfront cost

NEW YORK, NY and MONTREAL, QC, April 29, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - TPG Special Situations Partners (TSSP), the credit platform of TPG, a leading global private investment firm, and SMi-Enerpro, a division of The SM Group Inc. and a leader in energy efficiency, today announced the launch of a new joint venture to maximize the existing SMi-Enerpro platform. The new venture will make SMi-Enerpro's unique Technology Suite, which enables real estate owners to reduce energy consumption and achieve significant cost savings, available on a fully financed turnkey basis.

TSSP will provide the capital to finance energy efficiency projects that will bring SMi-Enerpro energy optimization solutions to a larger market globally including commercial real estate, cruise ships and data centres. Backed by 20 years of research, analysis and testing, SMi-Enerpro retrofits buildings in North America and Europe and puts its proprietary energy management system in place, delivering average energy and cost savings of 40 percent per project.

"Our customized energy solutions deliver substantial energy savings, reducing operating costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions, and leaving our clients with smart, more profitable buildings,'' said Bernard Poulin of The SM Group Inc. "TSSP brings capital as well as operational expertise to our joint venture, and we look forward to working with them to grow our business."

Michael Feldman of TSSP, said, "Through well-designed energy efficiency projects and their unique toolkit, SMi-Enerpro has brought significant savings to commercial building owners for more than 20 years. We are very pleased to partner with this talented team to provide the upfront capital that will allow more building owners to reduce costs while improving their carbon footprint."

Buildings account for 40 percent of the world's energy use and 40 percent of carbon dioxide output, and they also consume one-fifth of available water. Achievable energy savings in the world's existing buildings is estimated between 20 percent and 40 percent, which represents a major energy and carbon gas reduction opportunity.

About TPG Special Situations Partners

TPG Special Situations Partners ("TSSP"), which includes the TPG Opportunities Partners and TPG Specialty Lending platforms, is the approximately $10 billion opportunistic credit platform within TPG, a leading private investment firm founded in 1992, with more than $59 billion of assets under management. TSSP has extensive experience with global public and private investments executed through primary originations, secondary market purchases and restructurings. For more information visit www.tpg.com.

About The SM Group Inc.

The SM Group Inc. is a privately owned company founded in 1972 that specializes in the delivery of integrated scientific, engineering and IT solutions in the areas of buildings, energy, energy efficiency, environment, industry, infrastructure, natural resources, power, security, telecommunications and materials testing. In addition, the SM Group Inc. operates microbiological and chemical analysis labs in the areas of environmental protection, agriculture, food security and their manufacturing processes, as well as cosmetics and certain pharmaceutical industry products.

Active in more than 30 countries, the SM Group Inc. has over 1,600 professionals and specialists dedicated to delivering innovative and fully integrated solutions to a broad range of clients including local corporations, multinationals, institutions, as well as government bodies at every level, and state-owned enterprises. www.groupesm.com.

ABOUT SMi-Enerpro

Founded in 1995, SMi-Enerpro has developed one of the most advanced technologies for building energy retrofit and has raised the standard for energy conservation. The division provides turn-key solutions to help operators reduce their environmental impact and achieve substantial and sustainable cost reductions. The Company undertakes projects with major constructions and buildings such as high rises, universities, hospitals, hotels and other large facilities. www.smienerpro.com.

SOURCE: TPG Special Situations Partners (TSSP)

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