Slate Asset Management and Hamilton Lane Acquire Majority Stake in Cold-Link Logistics, a Leading North American Cold Storage Platform

Key Terms

cold-chain technical

A cold-chain is the refrigerated logistics system that keeps temperature-sensitive products—such as vaccines, biologic drugs, and perishable foods—within a controlled temperature range from production through storage and transport to the end user. Investors care because failures in this “continuous refrigerator” can destroy product value, trigger costly recalls or regulatory penalties, and require specialized infrastructure and ongoing operating costs that affect margins and growth potential.

equity stake financial

An equity stake is the portion of ownership in a company represented by holding its shares, like owning a slice of a pie where the size of your slice determines your claim on profits and decision-making power. For investors it matters because the size and type of that stake affect potential returns, influence over company strategy, exposure to risk, and vulnerability to dilution if more shares are issued.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Slate Asset Management (“Slate” or the “Firm”), a global investor and manager focused on essential real estate and infrastructure, and private markets investment management firm Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE), announced today the acquisition of a majority equity stake in Cold-Link Logistics (“Cold-Link” or the “Company”), one of the ten largest privately-held cold storage platforms in North America. The acquisition further enhances Slate’s position as a leading owner and operator of essential real estate and infrastructure globally in support of non-discretionary needs of day-to-day life. In addition to Slate and funds managed by Hamilton Lane, the acquisition was completed with the support of co-investment partners, led by GFH Partners.

Based in Hollywood, FL and founded in 2016 by Michael and Nick Mandich, Cold-Link provides temperature-controlled storage and cold-chain solutions to a wide range of US and multinational food and perishable-goods producers and distributors. The Company owns and operates nine state-of-the-art cold storage facilities spanning nearly 78 million cubic feet of ambient, refrigerated and frozen capacity. The Company’s facilities are located across the Central, Northeastern and Southeastern US and are integrated and diversified across the food supply chain, complementing Slate’s existing portfolio of essential real estate and increasing the Firm’s exposure to assets vital to food logistics. Cold-Link’s portfolio is at the forefront of modern food supply chain infrastructure, with the majority of its current operated pallet volume concentrated in assets constructed in 2022 or later. As part of the transaction, Michael and Nick Mandich and other members of the current management team will maintain a meaningful stake in the Company.

“Slate has been investing in real assets that underpin the distribution of everyday essential goods for nearly 15 years, driven by our conviction in the long-term defensiveness and resilience of this sector,” said Jeff Rodgers, Managing Director leading Infrastructure at Slate. “Our investment in Cold-Link increases our exposure to a critical and rapidly growing segment of the food supply chain through a proven operator with an exceptional platform and a clear strategy. We look forward to working closely with Cold-Link’s management team to capitalize on the long-term demand drivers in the cold storage market and unlock the next phase of the Company’s growth.”

“In under 10 years, we have scaled Cold-Link into one of the largest privately held cold storage platforms in North America,” said Michael Mandich, President and Managing Partner of Cold-Link. “We are now at a pivotal inflection point in our growth and have found a trusted institutional partner in Slate with the capital, resources and asset management expertise to help us accelerate our business strategy and deliver essential cold storage solutions to customers who critically need them.”

Nick Mandich, Partner at Cold-Link, added: “We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who supported the growth of our business, including our parents, who greatly influenced our approach to customer service. We are a company built on family values, and that legacy is carried forward every day by our exceptional team. We are confident that our partnership with Slate will only enhance that foundational aspect of our business. The decision to roll the majority of our equity and continue leading the business demonstrates our commitment to the company, belief in the Cold-Link team, and conviction in the growth opportunities that lie ahead.”

Brent Burnett, Head of Infrastructure and Real Assets at Hamilton Lane, commented: “Our investment in Cold-Link alongside Slate underscores Hamilton Lane's ongoing commitment to identifying unique opportunities in partnership with expert sponsors in the infrastructure space. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to leveraging our global platform to support the continued growth and success of the business."

J.P. Morgan acted as the exclusive financial advisor and King & Spalding LLP provided legal advice to Slate on this transaction. Wells Fargo acted as the exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig acted as legal advisor to Cold-Link. Haber Law also provided legal advice to Cold-Link.

About Slate Asset Management
Slate Asset Management is a global investor and manager focused on essential real estate and infrastructure assets. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners across the real assets space. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more, and follow Slate Asset Management on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

About Cold-Link Logistics
Cold-Link Logistics is a full service, Third-Party Logistics Company built on Family Values dedicated to serving our customers' needs through designing specific solutions to meet the ever-increasing demand on Cold Chain innovations and efficiencies. Visit cold-linklogistics.com to learn more, and follow Cold-Link Logistics on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Hamilton Lane
Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) is one of the largest private markets investment firms globally, providing innovative solutions to institutional and private wealth investors around the world. Dedicated exclusively to private markets investing for more than 30 years, the firm currently employs approximately 770 professionals operating in offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hamilton Lane has $1.0 trillion in assets under management and supervision, composed of $145.4 billion in discretionary assets and $859.8 billion in non-discretionary assets, as of September 30, 2025. Hamilton Lane specializes in building flexible investment programs that provide clients access to the full spectrum of private markets strategies, sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215767537/en/

Media Contacts

Slate Asset Management

Karolina Kmiecik

+1 224 848 0662

karolina@slateam.com

Hamilton Lane

Kate McGann

kmcgann@hamiltonlane.com

+1 240 888 4078

Source: Slate Asset Management