Ares Management Corporation Completes Acquisition of GCP International
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) has completed its acquisition of GCP International, excluding Greater China operations. The transaction significantly expands Ares' global footprint, particularly in Asia, Brazil, and Vietnam, while strengthening its presence in Europe and the U.S.
Key highlights of the acquisition:
- Increases Ares' total assets under management to over $525 billion, with Real Assets business exceeding $115 billion
- Positions Ares as a top three global logistics property owner with over 570 million square feet of logistics assets worldwide
- Enhances digital infrastructure capabilities with projects representing over 1GW of IT capacity, including 500MW currently in development
The merger brings key leadership changes, with Ming Mei joining as Partner and Senior Advisor, and Michael Steele as Partner in the Real Assets Group. The Real Estate division continues under Co-Heads Bill Benjamin and Julie Solomon.
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) ha completato l'acquisizione di GCP International, escludendo le operazioni nella Grande Cina. La transazione amplia significativamente la presenza globale di Ares, in particolare in Asia, Brasile e Vietnam, rafforzando al contempo la sua presenza in Europa e negli Stati Uniti.
Principali punti salienti dell'acquisizione:
- Aumenta il totale degli asset gestiti da Ares a oltre $525 miliardi, con il business degli Asset Reali che supera $115 miliardi
- Posiziona Ares tra i primi tre proprietari globali di immobili logistici con oltre 570 milioni di piedi quadrati di asset logistici a livello mondiale
- Migliora le capacità di infrastruttura digitale con progetti che rappresentano oltre 1GW di capacità IT, inclusi 500MW attualmente in fase di sviluppo
La fusione porta a cambiamenti chiave nella leadership, con Ming Mei che si unisce come Partner e Senior Advisor, e Michael Steele come Partner nel Gruppo degli Asset Reali. La divisione Immobiliare continua sotto la direzione congiunta di Bill Benjamin e Julie Solomon.
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) ha completado su adquisición de GCP International, excluyendo las operaciones en la Gran China. La transacción expande significativamente la huella global de Ares, particularmente en Asia, Brasil y Vietnam, al tiempo que refuerza su presencia en Europa y EE. UU.
Aspectos clave de la adquisición:
- Aumenta los activos totales bajo gestión de Ares a más de $525 mil millones, con el negocio de Activos Reales superando $115 mil millones
- Posiciona a Ares como uno de los tres principales propietarios globales de propiedades logísticas con más de 570 millones de pies cuadrados de activos logísticos en todo el mundo
- Mejora las capacidades de infraestructura digital con proyectos que representan más de 1GW de capacidad de TI, incluidos 500MW actualmente en desarrollo
La fusión trae cambios clave en el liderazgo, con Ming Mei uniéndose como Socio y Asesor Senior, y Michael Steele como Socio en el Grupo de Activos Reales. La división de Bienes Raíces continúa bajo la dirección conjunta de Bill Benjamin y Julie Solomon.
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES)는 GCP International의 인수를 완료했습니다. 이 거래는 아시아, 브라질, 베트남에서 Ares의 글로벌 입지를 크게 확장하며, 유럽과 미국에서의 존재감을 강화합니다.
인수의 주요 하이라이트:
- Ares의 총 관리 자산을 $5250억 이상으로 증가시키며, 실물 자산 비즈니스는 $1150억을 초과함
- Ares를 세계적인 물류 자산 소유자 상위 3위로 자리매김하며, 전 세계에 5억 7천만 평방피트 이상의 물류 자산을 보유함
- 500MW가 현재 개발 중인 프로젝트를 포함하여 1GW 이상의 IT 용량을 나타내는 디지털 인프라 능력을 향상시킴
합병은 Ming Mei가 파트너 및 선임 고문으로 합류하고, Michael Steele가 실물 자산 그룹의 파트너로 합류하는 등 주요 리더십 변화를 가져옵니다. 부동산 부문은 Bill Benjamin과 Julie Solomon의 공동 책임 하에 계속 운영됩니다.
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) a finalisé l'acquisition de GCP International, à l'exception des opérations en Grande Chine. La transaction élargit considérablement l'empreinte mondiale d'Ares, en particulier en Asie, au Brésil et au Vietnam, tout en renforçant sa présence en Europe et aux États-Unis.
Points clés de l'acquisition :
- Augmente le total des actifs sous gestion d'Ares à plus de $525 milliards, avec le secteur des Actifs Réels dépassant $115 milliards
- Positionne Ares parmi les trois principaux propriétaires mondiaux de biens logistiques avec plus de 570 millions de pieds carrés d'actifs logistiques dans le monde
- Améliore les capacités d'infrastructure numérique avec des projets représentant plus de 1GW de capacité informatique, dont 500MW actuellement en développement
La fusion entraîne des changements clés dans la direction, avec Ming Mei rejoignant en tant que Partenaire et Conseiller Senior, et Michael Steele en tant que Partenaire dans le Groupe des Actifs Réels. La division Immobilier continue sous la direction conjointe de Bill Benjamin et Julie Solomon.
Ares Management (NYSE: ARES) hat die Übernahme von GCP International abgeschlossen, mit Ausnahme der Aktivitäten in Großchina. Die Transaktion erweitert die globale Präsenz von Ares erheblich, insbesondere in Asien, Brasilien und Vietnam, während sie gleichzeitig die Präsenz in Europa und den USA stärkt.
Wichtige Highlights der Übernahme:
- Erhöht die gesamten verwalteten Vermögenswerte von Ares auf über $525 Milliarden, wobei das Geschäft mit Real Assets über $115 Milliarden liegt
- Positioniert Ares als einen der drei größten globalen Eigentümer von Logistikimmobilien mit über 570 Millionen Quadratfuß an Logistikvermögen weltweit
- Verbessert die digitalen Infrastrukturkapazitäten mit Projekten, die über 1GW IT-Kapazität repräsentieren, einschließlich 500MW, die sich derzeit in Entwicklung befinden
Die Fusion bringt wichtige Veränderungen in der Führungsebene mit sich, wobei Ming Mei als Partner und Senior Advisor und Michael Steele als Partner in der Real Assets Group hinzukommen. Die Immobilienabteilung bleibt unter der gemeinsamen Leitung von Bill Benjamin und Julie Solomon.
- Significant AUM increase to $525B total, $115B in Real Assets
- Becomes top 3 global logistics property owner with 570M sq ft portfolio
- Expands into strategic markets: Japan, Brazil, Vietnam
- Gains 1GW digital infrastructure capacity portfolio
- Strengthens new economy sectors presence (logistics, digital infrastructure)
- Integration complexity across multiple international markets
- Potential execution risks in emerging markets (Brazil, Vietnam)
Insights
Ares Management's acquisition of GCP International marks a significant strategic expansion of their real assets platform to over
The acquisition delivers three critical advantages: enhanced geographic diversification with substantial new presence in Japan, Brazil, and Vietnam; sector diversification into high-growth digital infrastructure and self-storage; and increased operational capabilities through vertical integration across development and management.
Particularly noteworthy is Ares' expanded digital infrastructure business, now managing projects representing over 1GW of IT capacity with approximately 500MW currently under development. This positions Ares to capitalize on accelerating data center demand driven by AI computing requirements.
This transaction perfectly aligns with secular trends reshaping real assets: supply chain reconfiguration, technology infrastructure expansion, and demographic shifts. The strategic positioning in "new economy" sectors should enhance Ares' ability to generate alpha through both rising valuations and operational improvements.
By retaining key executives like Ming Mei (as Partner and Senior Advisor) and Michael Steele (as Partner), Ares ensures continuity of relationships and operational expertise across these newly acquired assets.
This acquisition represents a major expansion of Ares' digital infrastructure capabilities, positioning the firm to capitalize on the explosive growth in data center demand. The addition of hyperscale projects totaling over 1GW of IT capacity comes at a critical inflection point when AI deployment is driving unprecedented power requirements across global markets.
The strategic value extends beyond just scale. By combining GCP International's development pipeline with Ares' existing climate infrastructure expertise, the firm can now offer end-to-end solutions spanning renewable power generation, transmission infrastructure, and data center development – addressing the complete digital infrastructure value chain.
The transaction's timing is opportune as hyperscale data centers face both exponential demand growth and significant development challenges including power constraints, permitting complexities, and sustainability requirements. Ares now possesses the integrated capabilities to overcome these barriers through their enhanced scale, cross-sector expertise, and global footprint.
For partners seeking exposure to digital infrastructure, this positions Ares as a uniquely qualified investment manager with both specialized technical expertise and the financial scale necessary to execute complex multi-billion dollar deployments. The 500MW currently under development likely represents
This acquisition fundamentally transforms Ares from a traditional real estate investor to a comprehensive real assets manager with leading positions across critical infrastructure sectors driving the global digital economy.
Establishes Over
The transaction adds important geographic exposure in
In addition, Ares now operates a digital infrastructure business with several large hyperscale projects in process across key global markets that collectively represent over 1GW of IT capacity, including approximately 500MW in projects currently underway, as well as a substantial pipeline of future growth. These projects have attracted strong investor interest and, in combination with Ares’ existing climate, real estate and digital infrastructure capabilities, should enable Ares to achieve significant scale for this business.
Ares’ strong presence in logistics, digital infrastructure and traditional real estate sectors positions the platform as a leader in fast-growing new economy sectors. Ares believes the opportunities in these sectors will continue to be fueled by rising demand for new technologies, significant changes in global supply chains and evolving demographic trends that are transforming how communities live and work.
Ming Mei, currently CEO of GLP and GCP’s remaining business, will continue to support Ares’ growth initiatives as a Partner and Senior Advisor, and Michael Steele, most recently President at GCP International, has joined Ares as a Partner in its Real Assets Group. In addition, colleagues across GCP International’s global team have joined Ares Real Estate, which will continue to be led by Co-Heads Bill Benjamin and Julie Solomon.
“We are proud to welcome our new team members as we establish a powerhouse in the critical real asset sectors driving the new economy,” said Michael Arougheti, Chief Executive Officer of Ares. “Together, we have the scale, relationships and experience to benefit from the long-term secular tailwinds that are facilitating unprecedented growth in logistics, digital infrastructure and clean energy assets. We look forward to accelerating execution against our strategic objectives, including growing our global footprint and expanding across asset classes and institutional and retail investor offerings, to deliver an enhanced value proposition for our investors, stockholders and other market participants.”
“Over the last decade, we have aimed to solidify Ares Real Estate as a leading global investor through our skilled team, longstanding investor and sponsor relationships and performance across market cycles,” said Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Solomon. “As we start on this next chapter, the combination of our collaborative cultures, strong sector focus and deep local networks gives us conviction in the power of our platform. We are more excited than ever to be bringing together two top-tier firms and are confident that our integrated team’s breadth of experience and disciplined investment approach will fuel our ability to capitalize on attractive long-term structural trends in global real estate markets.”
Advisors
Eastdil Secured, L.L.C., Barclays, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as financial advisors to Ares, with Latham & Watkins acting as legal counsel. Citigroup, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Greenhill, a Mizuho affiliate, UOB Group and Deutsche Bank served as financial advisors to GCP International and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel.
About Ares Management Corporation
Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of December 31, 2024, including the acquisition of GCP International which closed on March 1, 2025, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had over
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “foresees” or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on Ares’ beliefs, assumptions and expectations of Ares’ future performance, taking into account all information currently available to Ares. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including Ares’ ability to effectively integrate each of GCP International and Walton Street Mexico into Ares’ operations and to achieve the expected benefits therefrom, and assumptions including those relating to the acquisitions of GCP International and Walton Street Mexico, Ares’ operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Some of these factors are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including under the headings “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in Ares’ other periodic filings. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Ares’ underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Ares’ actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for Ares to predict those events or how they may affect Ares. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Ares does not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Media:
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media@aresmgmt.com
Investors:
Greg Mason, Carl Drake
irares@aresmgmt.com
Source: Ares Management Corporation
FAQ
How much did the GCP International acquisition increase Ares Management's (ARES) total assets under management?
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