Dark (Belgium) - Jan 2008

KBC Private Equity and Defiac have wholly acquired Belgian lighting manufacturer Dark from two Belgian shareholders. KBC Bank provided the debt. The acquisition was financed through a holding, 2BDelighted, set up by the two funds to build a group in the lighting industry. While KBC holds a majority stake, Defiac has a significant minority. In 2007, 2BDelighted bought 50% of Wever & Ducré, operating in the same sector. 2BDelighted is currently looking for further acquisition in the sector. Dark and Wever & Ducré specialise in architectural and decorative lighting, but 2BDelighted plans to expand into other areas of the diversified lighting industry.

Company

Founded in 2004, Dark manufactures and markets architectural and decorative lighting in Europe. Dark and Wever & Ducré are to remain completely independent.

People

Gert Van Huffel and Smeets Gerd worked on the transaction for KBC. Lieven Cuyckens is the managing director of 2BDelighted. Marnick Smessaert is Dark’s CEO. The management of Dark will not be changed.

Advisers

Equity - Monard d’Hulst, Peter Rooryck (Legal)

Sourced from: Benelux unquote" 58 (Apr 2008)

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• Topics
• Benelux
• Buyouts
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• Belgium