American Capital Ltd. (American Capital), formerly American Capital Strategies, Ltd., is an equity firm and a global asset manager. The Company invests in private equity, private debt, private real estate investments, early and late-stage technology investments, special situation investments and alternative asset funds managed by American Capital and structured finance investments. It operates in two segments: investment portfolio and alternative asset management business. In August 2008, the Company announced that it completed the sale of Contec Holdings, Ltd. to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners, LLC. In March 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of the shares of its affiliate European Capital Limited, which it did not already own. In April 2009, the Company completed the combination of three portfolio companies within its Financial Services Group to create Core Financial Group. In October 2009, Grainger plc acquired Imperial Supplies, LLC from American Capital, Ltd.