PE Firm · Capital Allocator

Onex

Medium
Toronto, Canada · Founded 1984 · AUM CA$ 47 billion · Website
Private EquityBuyoutCreditWealth ManagementDebt StrategiesAerospaceAutomotiveIndustrialsBase MaterialsConsumer/RetailHealthcareTransportationFinancial ServicesEntertainment/VenuesNorth AmericaEurope
Last verified
10/6/2026

Firm Overview

1
Portfolio tracked
8
Sectors
2
Regions
10/6/2026
Last verified

Onex Corporation is a major Canadian investment management firm that operates as a public company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Founded in 1984 by Gerry Schwartz, Onex Corporation is one of Canada's oldest and largest private equity and investment management firms. The company went public in 1987 and has since grown into a global player with diverse interests across private equity, credit, and wealth management strategies. Headquartered in Toronto, it manages tens of billions of dollars in assets for institutional and high-net-worth investors.

The firm has a long history of high-profile acquisitions and divestitures across various industries. Notable historical activity includes the purchase of Allison Transmission from General Motors and the acquisition of the English engineering firm Tomkins. In recent years, Onex has expanded its footprint in the travel and hospitality sectors through the acquisition of WestJet and the venue management firm SMG.

Onex operates through several platforms, including large-cap private equity funds and credit-oriented investment vehicles. In 2019, the firm further diversified its business model by acquiring Gluskin Sheff, a prominent Toronto-based wealth management firm, to enhance its services for private clients. Despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm remains a dominant force in the Canadian financial landscape.

Founded1984
HeadquartersToronto, Canada
AUMCA$ 47 billion
Target investmentCA$ 5 billion (based on WestJet deal)
Employees536
StrategiesPrivate Equity, Buyout, Credit, Wealth Management, Debt Strategies
Sector focusAerospace, Automotive, IndustrialsBase Materials, Consumer/Retail, Healthcare, Transportation, Financial Services, Entertainment/Venues
Geographic focusNorth America, Europe

Leadership

Gerry Schwartz
Founder and former CEO
Founder of Onex Corporation in 1984, he served as CEO until 2022.
Bobby Le Blanc
CEO
Named CEO in 2022 after previously serving as a key executive within the firm.

Notable Investments

WestJetAllison TransmissionTomkins plcGluskin SheffSMGHawker BeechcraftCarestream HealthSave-A-LotASM Global

Historical and current deals referenced in public sources.

Portfolio Companies

CompanySectorStatusWebsite
ConvexSpecialty insurer and reinsurerCurrent—

Source: https://www.onex.com/portfolio

Portfolio Web Readiness

Not yet assessed

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Sources

This profile is based on publicly available information and may be incomplete or outdated. PE Firm Index is not affiliated with Onex and does not provide investment advice.

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