Who We Are Our Strategy Our Investment Focus NorthWestern Growth Home Page
Overview
Our Team
Partners
Northwestern Corporation
Capital For Growth
Partnering
Building Value
Assets
Partner Program
Minority Interest Investing
E-Commerce
Email, Phone, Addresses  
 
CornerStone Blue Dot
Exp@nets LodgeNet
 
 

America’s Fastest-growing Publicly Traded Propane Company

CornerStone Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CNO) is the nation’s fourth largest and fastest-growing, publicly traded retail propane marketer, serving more than 440,000 customers in 34 states. The Partnership’s operations are managed by its General Partner, CornerStone Propane GP, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NorthWestern Growth.

From August 1995 through December 1996, NGC acquired the nation’s sixth largest, eighth largest and 18th largest propane retailers in the U.S. CornerStone Propane Partners, L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership, was formed in December 1996 to combine all of NGC’s propane businesses. Since formation, CornerStone has acquired 70 propane distribution companies.

 

"NGC’s expertise and experience in strategy, financings and acquisitions helped us go public successfully, expand our capabilities and capitalize on growth markets."

Keith G. Baxter, President & CEO
 
 
 

America’s Best Service Experience

Blue Dot, created by NGC in late 1997, is fast becoming one of America’s leading full-service providers of air conditioning, heating, plumbing and related services to residential and commercial customers.

By acquiring, integrating and growing the industry’s best entrepreneurial companies into a successful, national, household name, Blue Dot intends to capitalize on significant future growth opportunities. The company’s visibility within the industry and its operational philosophy of decentralized operations and centralized administration provide Blue Dot with a competitive advantage, particularly in enabling the company to identify and acquire well-managed, profitable HVAC and plumbing businesses.

NorthWestern Growth continues to be a committed strategic sponsor and substantial equity investor, providing critical financial resources as well as the services of NorthWestern’s team members. This support will allow Blue Dot to continue to build its organization in a manner that will create long- term shareholder value.

 

"As a valued partner to our Blue Dot operations, NGC has opened up tremendous new growth opportunities for us. I am continually impressed with the caliber, depth and dedication of their people."

Ken Lang, President
HAVSCO Inc.
A Blue Dot Company
 
 
 

Gaining That Competitive Edge

Expanets, created in early 1998, is executing a national acquisition and development program to build the nation’s premier provider of integrated communications solutions to businesses by offering voice and data networking solutions.

Expanets is poised to lead the industry by capitalizing on developments in technology, increased demand for complex data networking, call centers and messaging, voice, data and video integration, and the Internet. Expanets provides a full range of these services from network design and engineering to installation and support.

NorthWestern Growth is providing the development and growth-stage investment capital for Expanets’ business plan and strategic needs.

 

"It’s one thing to provide equity capital. It’s another to provide the strategic development necessary for growth. NGC provides plenty of both. We value their financial savvy, resources, objectivity and above all else – their unfailing integrity."

Jon Jensen, President
Expanets — California
 
 
 

A Business Service Investment

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ:LNET) is a specialized communications company providing on-demand movies, in-room video games, Internet access and other interactive applications to the lodging industry.

NorthWestern Growth provided development and growth-stage investment capital for LodgeNet’s business plan growth and strategic needs. Subsequent to NGC’s capital funding, LodgeNet executed a successful IPO in 1993 resulting in substantial growth in the equity investment of NGC and the LodgeNet management team. NGC continues to hold an equity position.

 

"NorthWestern Growth was a valued partner in the growth and development stages of LodgeNet. Today, we continue to benefit from NGC’s expertise through involvement on our board of directors."

Tim C. Flynn,
Chairman of the Board
and Founder