
Babcock circles private equity-backed Inaer
British engineering support services firm Babcock is in exclusive discussions to buy Spanish helicopter operator Inaer, backed by KKR and Investindustrial.
The sale would value the asset at more than €1bn. Babcock's acquisition would enhance the firm's presence outside the UK.
The buyer would assume Inaer's debt, understood to stand at around €700m. The firm reported a €575m turnover in 2012.
Investindustrial bought a 75% stake in World Helicopters, the holding company of Inaer, for €205m in 2005, according to unquote" data. The GP invested via Investindustrial III, which closed on €500m in 2005. Ariadne, Emisys Capital and Oquendo Capital provided mezzanine financing.
In 2010, Investindustrial mandated JP Morgan to find a buyer for a 50% stake in the company. The same year, KKR bought a 49.9% stake in Inaer, in a deal valuing the company at €700m. The investment was all-equity, leaving the firm's existing debt structure in place. Investindustrial and the firm's management remained in the shareholding structure.
In 2011, holding company World Helicopter acquired Bond Aviation for €300m, including a €150m debt package provided by Lloyds TSB.
Inaer provides mission-critical operations including medical emergency, civil protection, search and rescue, coast and city surveillance, fire-fighting and energy support services.
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