Firm Overview
Behind the Deal: Q&A with the Baja Construction Deal Team
How did Compass Group get connected with Baja?
Cristobal Gonzalez: Thanks to our experience in the solar sector, two experienced operating partners approached us seeking a financial sponsor to facilitate the transaction with Baja. They had developed a solar-focused thesis, much like how Compass approaches new investment opportunities, and they connected with Baja through industry conferences. It felt like a natural fit right from the start.
What did you see in Baja that made you feel like they would be a great fit in the Compass Group family?
John Huhn: Baja’s reputation for quality and innovation in the solar carport sector caught our attention. Their consistent delivery of top-tier projects and commitment to maintaining industry-leading standards align perfectly with our values. What made this opportunity even more compelling is that Baja meets several of the key factors we look for: they’re a strong performer in a sector where we hold an active thesis, they’re founder-owned, and we’re the first institutional capital partner.
How does Baja Carports address current needs and challenges in the solar sector?
John Hubert: Baja is uniquely positioned to tackle some of the key challenges the industry is facing. For example, in states like California, residential and commercial new construction requires solar installations. Solar carports not only meet this requirement but also provide practical benefits like shaded parking. More broadly, with the rising demand for electricity from EVs and data centers, there’s a real need to expand solar energy supply. And instead of using fertile land for large solar farms, Baja’s carports offer a smart alternative—helping businesses and municipalities maximize renewable energy output while making efficient use of existing space.
What lessons did we learn with Sunpro that you’ll apply to this new partnership with Baja?
Cristobal Gonzalez: We're eager to apply several key lessons to our partnership with Baja: empowering the existing team with the support they need to drive growth, leveraging partnerships and our extensive network of industry connections for improved supplier relationships and market opportunities, and maintaining Baja's customer-centric approach which prioritizes client satisfaction and relationship building.
What operational improvements or growth strategies does Compass Group plan to bring to Baja Carports?
John Hubert: Our operational strategy focuses on driving efficiency, scalability, and sales effectiveness through targeted investments in project management technology, streamlined supply chain processes, enhanced financial reporting systems, and data-driven marketing initiatives. We expect implementing these changes will help streamline workflows, reduce lead times, and enable better decision-making through improved business insights.
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