SPAIN - Carlyle acquires Applus for EUR 1.5bn

Angelica
25 July 2007

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After fending off competition from BC Partners and Eurazeo, The Carlyle Group has agreed the acquisition of Applus from its shareholders Agbar, Unión Fenosa and Caja Madrid for an enterprise value of EUR 1.48bn. With headquarters in Barcelona, the company is the leader in inspection, certification, testing and technological services in Spain.

On 11th June, Carlyle reached a partnership agreement with Caixa Catalunya, under which the latter will take a 25% equity stake in Applus. Caixa Catalunya will lead a group of well-known local institutional investors that have expressed their interest in the transaction and with whom it is currently in advanced negotiations. Among them are Caixa Manresa, Caixa Terrassa, Caixa Sabadell, Caixa Tarragona, RACC, and Caixa Girona.

Fuelled by strong organic growth and several acquisitions over recent years, Applus has significantly diversified its business mix and geographic footprint. Applus is currently present in more than 30 countries worldwide and is the largest Spanish inspection, certification and technological services company. With revenues of EUR 546m in 2006, the Group currently employs 8,500 people.