TorQuest Partners Acquires a Majority Ownership Position in EW Disaster Kleenup L.P.

Acquisition of two of Canada's leading independent disaster restoration providers

Toronto, January 31st, 2007 - TorQuest Partners announced today that it has acquired EW Disaster Kleenup Canada L.P. ("EW"), a newly formed entity that purchased the assets of Edenvale ("Edenvale") Restoration Specialists Ltd. and Woodhouse Contracting Ltd. ("Woodhouse"), two of Canada's leading independent disaster restoration providers. The current shareholders and management team will be significant owners in this new partnership and will continue to manage the business on a day to day basis.

This transaction unites two of the largest independent companies in the Canadian disaster restoration industry. Edenvale, with headquarters in Abbotsford, British Columbia, operates in the British Columbia Lower Mainland with operating branches in Burnaby, Chilliwack and Surrey. Woodhouse, with headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario, operates in Southern Ontario with operating branches in Stratford, Brantford, Guelph, Hamilton, Orangeville and Mississauga.

Both Edenvale and Woodhouse have been active members of Disaster Kleenup International (Canada) Ltd. (DKC), the largest network of restoration contracts in Canada. As part of the transaction, EW was successfully admitted as a new DKC member. "We are very pleased to welcome EW to the DKC Network and look forward to the unique skill set that TorQuest has to offer", says Matt Johnson, CEO of DKC.

Lyle Kerr, the newly appointed CEO of EW Disaster Kleenup L.P., will complement Allen Booth and Ken Woodhouse, the divisional heads of Edenvale and Woodhouse respectively. Lyle Kerr was the CEO of CNC Global, a former portfolio company of TorQuest and Canada's leading provider of IT staffing to a client roster that includes 40% of the companies listed on the S&P/TSX 60.

"The formation of EW has allowed two of the largest providers of disaster restoration services to come together to offer a better service offering to its customers. Allen Booth and Ken Woodhouse and their respective management teams have built exceptional organizations and this transaction should allow us the ability to start widening the footprint of the combined organization," said Lyle Kerr.

Alan Lever, a Principal at TorQuest partners, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal. "TorQuest has built its reputation on partnering with the incumbent management teams to drive value in established businesses. We look at the EW transaction as an opportunity to bring together two of the most established independent restoration providers in Canada and enhance the offering to its customers." 

TorQuest Partners
Founded in 2002, TorQuest Partners, Inc. is a Canadian-based manager of private equity funds. With more than C$700 million of equity capital under management TorQuest seeks to pursue investments in middle market and later stage companies with the goal of building value through opportune acquisitions, strategic leadership and the timely use of financial expertise.

EW Disaster Kleenup L.P.
EW will be headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. EW is a full service restoration provider with expertise in water losses, wind damage, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting.

Alan lever

B.C.-based Edenvale Restoration Specialists and Ontario’s Woodhouse Contracting have merged to form a nation-wide disaster restoration company.

Edenvale president Allen Booth said: “I think there’s an opportunity in Canada for a national disaster restoration company that is not a franchise.”

As mergers and acquisitions create fewer and larger insurance companies and brokerages there is a corresponding need for larger ancillary businesses.

“Probably on the adjusting side, the disaster restoration side, the legal side, they’re looking to partner with larger vendors that can provide continuity of service coast to coast.”

No changes in staff or day-to-day operations are expected.

Founded by Mr. Booth in 1976, Edenvale is based in Abbotsford and has three other branches in the province.

Woodhouse is Kitchener-based with six other branches in Ontario.

The merged company, EW Disaster Kleenup, will be based in Toronto, home to its majority owner, equity fund manager TorQuest Partners.

It is a full-service restoration provider with expertise in water, wind, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting.

The former owners of Edenvale and Woodhouse are staying on as senior executives, minority shareholders and board members.

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Woodhouse Contracting Ltd. has joined a strategic partnership with Edenvale Restoration, uniting two of the largest independent companies in the Canadian disaster restoration industry.

Edenvale, with headquarters in Abbotsford, B.C., operates in the British Columbia Lower Mainland with operation branches in Burnaby, Chilliwack and Surrey.
Woodhouse, with headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario, operates in southern Ontario with operating branches in Stratford, Brantford, Guelph, Hamilton, Orangeville and Mississauga, as well as TorQuest Partners, a Canadian-based firm that specializes in strategic leadership and capital management.
Despite a change in the ownership structure of the business, resulting in a new entity named EW Disaster Kleenup L.P., the day-to-day operations of both Woodhouse and Edenvale will continue as they presently do.

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Merger creates cleanup giant
Woodhouse Contracting Ltd. of Kitchener now part of EW Disaster Kleenup Canada
Friday March 9, 2007
ROSE SIMONE
RECORD STAFF

KITCHENER -- Woodhouse Contracting Ltd. in Kitchener has merged with Edenvale Restoration Specialists Ltd. of Abbotsford, B.C., to create the biggest independent disaster restoration company in Canada.
Toronto-based private equity company TorQuest Partners recently acquired majority ownership of the newly created entity, EW Disaster Kleenup Canada L.P., which takes its initials from Edenvale and Woodhouse.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Ken Woodhouse, who remains president of the Woodhouse division of EW Disaster Kleenup Canada, based in Kitchener, said the limited partnership arrangement won't result in any significant changes for the 410 people who are employed by the two companies in Ontario and on the west coast.

"We have retooled our management group in order to allow for future growth in this area, but that is growth we were anticipating in any case," Woodhouse said.

The arrangement gives Woodhouse Contracting and Edenvale a greater ability to expand and potentially develop a national footprint in the disaster restoration business, Woodhouse said.

TorQuest brings "a lot of very good corporate connections" into the partnership, he said.

It also brings the capital. "If we, in fact, do more acquisitions, they would be in a position to finance those," Woodhouse said.

Edenvale and Woodhouse Contracting were already the two biggest independent companies within Disaster Kleenup International Canada Ltd., a national network of restoration contractor businesses that work through insurance companies to clean up following floods, fires and other disasters.

In addition to Kitchener, Woodhouse operates in Stratford, Brantford, Guelph, Hamilton, Orangeville and Mississauga. The company also is looking at expanding into St. Catharines in the near future, Woodhouse said.

Edenvale operates in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack and Surrey, B.C.

Bill Bradley, customer and corporate relations manager at Woodhouse Contracting, said the organization's size provides benefits in dealing with major insurers.

Large insurers that operate coast to coast want consistent service from restoration companies so it makes sense to deal with a company that operates in a large area, he said.

The scale of the organization means the company has the people and equipment to respond to disasters of all sizes, said Dan Loosemore, sales and marketing manager.

"Reacting quickly and with a large task force is what distinguishes Woodhouse," he said.

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EW Disaster Kleenup acquires Airkem
Toronto, July 18, 2007 – EW Disaster Kleenup Canada L.P. announced today that it has acquired Airkem Disaster Kleenup of Timmins, Ontario, a leading emergency response and restoration company serving Northern Ontario. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

EW, Canada’s leading provider of disaster restoration services, already has operations in Southern Ontario and British Columbia. Including the newly acquired Airkem operation, EW has annual revenue of more than $100 million and more than 400 direct employees in 17 cities and towns across Canada.

“We welcome Airkem’s customers, employees and business partners into an exciting company with significant financial strength and momentum,” said Lyle Kerr, EW’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With our ability to offer convenient one-stop shopping and our unparalleled commitment to quality and service, EW has become the leader in the Canadian disaster restoration business.”

Added Shawn Fournier, President of Airkem, “By joining forces with EW, we have enhanced our capabilities, increased our growth potential and created expanded opportunities for our employees. The result will be a stronger business well-positioned to provide additional value to our customer base in Northern Ontario and to EW as a whole.”

The current Airkem management team will continue to manage the day-to-day disaster restoration business in Northern Ontario while driving both organic and acquisition growth in that region. In addition, the current Airkem management team will become significant shareholders of EW and an integral part of the new EW national management team.

EW is a full service restoration provider with expertise in water losses, wind damage, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting. EW is majority-owned by TorQuest Partners Inc. of Toronto.

For more information, please contact:

Lyle Kerr
President and Chief Executive Officer
EW Disaster Kleenup L.P.
Tel: (416) 480-9155

Alan Lever,
Principal
TorQuest Partners LLP
Tel: (416) 956-7017

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Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup expands to the Grey-Bruce region.
Ken Woodhouse, CEO of Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup, division of EW Disaster Kleenup L.P., is pleased to announce the purchase of Higgins Restoration in Southampton, Ontario.

Higgins Restoration has been providing disaster restoration services to the Grey-Bruce region for over 28 years.

“Frank Higgins and his team will be a great addition to the Woodhouse organization,” says Ken Woodhouse. “We are very pleased to now serve this area of Ontario.”

For more information, contact Bill Bradley, Manager of Customer and Corporate Relations, at 1-800-693-7767

Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup
63 Chesley Street
Southampton, ON
N0H 2L0
Tel: 1-519-797-2256
Fax: 1-519-797-3004

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Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup opens new office in St. Catharines.
Ken Woodhouse, CEO of Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup, division of EW Disaster Kleenup L.P., is pleased to announce the opening of our ninth office in St. Catharines, Ontario on June 11, 2007.

“It has long been the desire of our organization to expand into the Niagara Peninsula and provide the type of service our clients have come to expect throughout Southwestern Ontario,” remarks Ken Woodhouse.

Gil Johnstone has been appointed Project Manager for the office and Gord Miskovic as Project Coordinator.
Gil has worked in the Hamilton office for the past 8 years and is very excited about the opportunity.

For more information, contact Bill Bradley, Manager of Customer and Corporate Relations, at 1-800-693-7767

Woodhouse Disaster Kleenup
11 Export Dr.
St. Catharines, ON
L2M 5V8
Tel: 1-905-682-5190
Fax: 1-905-682-1153

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Woodhouse moving on several fronts
Expansion plans afoot in Kitchener, Southampton and St. Catharines

The Woodhouse division of EW Disaster Kleenup Canada in Kitchener continues to grow.

The property restoration company is moving in August from its building on Madison Avenue into larger facilities it recently purchased from Bruce Edmeades Co.

Woodhouse also recently expanded it geographic reach through the acquisition of Higgins Restoration in Southampton, and by opening an office in St. Catharines.

The more than 80,000-square-foot building it purchased on Ardelt Avenue will be the home base for about 100 employees who work out of the company’s Kitchener headquarters.

It will also provide more storage space for the equipment Woodhouse uses to respond to disasters, said Bill Bradley, the company’s manager of marketing and business development.

EW Disaster Kleenup is Canada’s largest independent disaster restoration company, employing more than 400 people across the country.

It was created earlier this year through the merger of Woodhouse Contracting in Kitchener and Edenvale Restoration Specialist Ltd. of Abbotsford, B.C.

Woodhouse chief executive Ken Woodhouse said the Higgins restoration team, which served the Southampton area for 28 years, will be a “great addition” to the company.

Although it’s a small office with about eight staff, it provides a foothold for new business opportunities in the Grey-Bruce area, Bradley said.

Woodhouse said the office in St. Catharines will help business grow in the Niagara Peninsula.

“It has long been the desire of our organization to expand into the Niagara Peninsula and provide the type of service our clients have come to expect throughout Southern Ontario,” he said in a statement.

Bruce Edmeades has been consolidating operations in Cambridge. The food service and restaurant supplies distributor has moved about 60 employees to its offices on Highridge Court. The company had extra space in Cambridge, said Rob Boyko, the firm’s general manager.

Bruce Edmeades sill has about 35 people working out of the Kitchener Building, he added.

The company, a division of Martin-Brower of Canada, will rent space from Woodhouse for those employees, he said. Rose Simone, Record Staff
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EW Disaster Kleenup acquires operations in Quebec

Toronto, October 1, 2007 – EW Disaster Kleenup Canada L.P. (“EW”) announced today that it has acquired Rosco Enterprises of Dorval, Quebec, the largest emergency response and restoration business in Quebec. The acquisition is part of EW’s strategy of building Canada’s leading national provider of disaster restoration services. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Since early 2007 EW has also acquired operations across Ontario and in British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Including the newly acquired Rosco operations, EW has more than $140 million in annual revenue and more than 700 direct employees in 24 cities and towns across Canada. EW anticipates additional acquisitions as it continues to grow nationwide.

“Considering that Quebec is Canada’s largest province by area and second largest by population, the acquisition of Rosco is especially important for our national growth strategy,” said Lyle Kerr, EW’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Rosco also improves our ability to serve all of our customers as a one-stop shop because Rosco adds a special expertise in freeze dry document restoration, in which water-damaged documents, books and other valuable paper products are restored as closely as possible to their original state.”

Added Barry Ross, Rosco’s President, “By joining with EW, Rosco now has the support of Canada’s strongest, and only national, emergency response and restoration business. Our new ability to share resources and best practices with our colleagues across Canada, combined with our longstanding commitment to quality, service and the highest business standards, will be of great benefit to our customers as we move forward.”

The current Rosco management team will continue to manage the day-to-day disaster restoration business in Quebec and will drive both organic and acquisition growth in the province and in parts of eastern Ontario. In addition, the current Rosco management team will become significant shareholders of EW and an integral part of the new EW national management team.

On July 18, 2007 EW announced the acquisition of Timmins-based Airkem Disaster Kleenup, a leading emergency response and restoration company serving northern Ontario. On August 2, 2007, EW announced the acquisition of Premiere Restoration Services of Winnipeg, Manitoba and K.B. Clarke Disaster Kleenup of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

EW is a full service restoration provider with expertise in water losses, wind damage, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting. EW is majority-owned by TorQuest Partners Inc. of Toronto and is the largest member of Disaster Kleenup Canada, the leading network of independently-owned restoration contractors in Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Lyle Kerr
President and Chief Executive Officer
EW Disaster Kleenup L.P.
Tel: (416) 480-9155
www.ewdisasterkleenup.com

Alan Lever,
Principal
TorQuest Partners LLP
Tel: (416) 956-7017
www.torquest.com

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EW Disaster Kleenup changes name to FirstOnSite Restoration

TORONTO, Jan. 28 /CNW/ – EW Disaster Kleenup L.P. (“EW”) announced today that it has changed its name to FirstOnSite Restoration L.P. and has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer and a Vice-President, National Sales and Marketing. Lyle Kerr, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed Chairman of the Board.

FirstOnSite's new CEO is Ian Milne, 56. Mr. Milne has more than 35 years of experience in related businesses in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, mostly with the Tyco Fire & Security division of Tyco International Ltd. He brings a deep knowledge of the construction and building systems service businesses and a proven track record of leadership and success that will help FirstOnSite to grow.

FirstOnSite's new VP of National Sales and Marketing is Ken Zardo, 50. Mr. Zardo has almost 30 years of experience in sales and marketing, e-commerce and corporate and strategic planning. For the past 14 years he has worked in disaster restoration and the marketing of software for insurers. Mr. Zardo has a strong understanding of the needs of insurance brokers, insurance companies, independent adjusters and risk managers. He will lead the sales and marketing team and provide strategic guidance as FirstOnSite continues to develop service offerings for the benefit of customers and the Canadian insurance and risk management industries.

"The new name FirstOnSite more clearly reflects the nature of the company's emergency response and restoration business and will help us to create a national brand," said Mr. Kerr. "The addition of Ian and Ken to our senior management team will give us significant additional depth of operating experience. Ian is already very familiar with our business strategy and our people, having worked for us as a consultant since October 2007."

Added Mr. Milne, "Our objective is to build strong relationships with national property insurers and corporate customers. As we continue to expand our footprint, we will provide even more benefit to our customers, and increase opportunities for our employees. Large insurers and corporations operating from coast to coast want consistent service from restoration companies so it makes sense for them to deal with a company that has a national business scope, like FirstOnSite."

Since early 2007 FirstOnSite has acquired operations in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. With more than $140 million in annual revenue and more than 700 direct employees in 24 cities and towns across Canada, FirstOnSite is rapidly emerging as a leader in the Canadian disaster recovery industry.

FirstOnSite is a full service restoration provider with expertise in water losses, document restoration, wind damage, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting. FirstOnSite is majority-owned by TorQuest Partners Inc. of Toronto.

For more information, please contact:

Ian Milne
Chief Executive Officer
FirstOnSite Restoration L.P.
Tel: (416) 586-3536
www.firstonsite.ca

Alan Lever,
Principal
TorQuest Partners LLP
Tel: (416) 956-7017
www.torquest.com

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FirstOnSite acquires operations in London, Ontario

TORONTO, Jan. 29 /CNW/ - FirstOnSite Restoration L.P. (formerly EW Disaster Kleenup L.P.) announced today that it has acquired MJL/SCS Disaster Kleenup of London, Ontario. The acquisition is part of FirstOnSite's strategy of building Canada's leading national provider of disaster restoration services. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Since early 2007 FirstOnSite has also acquired operations elsewhere in Ontario and in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Including the newly acquired MJL/SCS operations, FirstOnSite now has more than $150 million in annual revenue and more than 800 direct employees in 25 cities and towns across Canada. FirstOnSite anticipates additional acquisitions as it continues to grow nationwide.

"With this acquisition we are adding a location in the heart of southwestern Ontario to our network of southern Ontario operations that already encompasses Kitchener, Stratford, Brantford, Guelph, Hamilton, Orangeville and Mississauga," said Ian Milne, FirstOnSite's Chief Executive Officer. "MJL/SCS is an important component of our national strategy and we intend to continue adding independent Canadian operators to our business."

Added Marc J. Lalonde, President of MJL/SCS, "By joining with FirstOnSite, we have become part of Canada's only national emergency response and restoration business. This can only improve our already strong capabilities in residential and commercial property damage restoration, for the benefit of our customers."

The current MJL/SCS management team will continue to manage the day-to-day disaster restoration business in London, Ontario and will drive both organic and acquisition growth in southwestern Ontario. In addition, the current MJL/SCS management team will become significant shareholders of FirstOnSite and an integral part of the new FirstOnSite national management team.

FirstOnSite is a full service restoration provider with expertise in water losses, document restoration, wind damage, fire and smoke damage, sewer backup, hurricane and tornado restorations, odour control, contents handling, drying, electronic repairs, mould remediation, asbestos remediation, petroleum spills, infection control and general contracting. FirstOnSite is majority-owned by TorQuest Partners Inc. of Toronto.

For more information, please contact:

Ian Milne
Chief Executive Officer
FirstOnSite Restoration L.P.
Tel: (416) 586-3536
www.firstonsite.ca

Alan Lever,
Principal
TorQuest Partners LLP
Tel: (416) 956-7017
www.torquest.com

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