Buyouts
Orange Switzerland sale underway
France Telecom has launched the sale of its Swiss unit Orange Switzerland, reportedly attracting a number of private equity investors.
Deal volume and value plummets in third quarter
Deal activity levels fell by more than a third in Q3 2011 due to ongoing fears regarding the European debt crisis, according to the latest unquote” Private Equity Barometer, in association with Arle Capital Partners.
August backs Advanced Vetcare-Rowe buy-and-build
August Equity has invested in a buy-and-build platform with veterinary services businesses Advanced Vetcare and Rowe Veterinary Group to merge. The Enterprise Value of the deal was around £35m.
Gimv invests in Trustteam
Gimv has taken a majority stake in ICT service provider Trustteam.
Elysian backs Tekmar Energy MBO
Elysian Capital has backed the MBO of UK-based offshore wind industry supplier Tekmar Energy from its parent group Tekmar.
Warburg Pincus backs newco Explora Petroleum
Warburg Pincus has announced that it will back Norwegian oil and gas exploration newco Explora Petroleum with up to $150m.
Sentica takes majority stake in Puuilo
Sentica has acquired a 55% stake in Finnish family-owned do-it-yourself retail chain Puuilo.
2011 to see €59bn by year-end – updated unquote" forecast
After a promising start, buyout activity in Europe might slow down even further in the fourth quarter of 2011, and risks falling behind last year’s levels. Anneken Tappe reports
LDC acquires Ufi and its subsidiary Learndirect
LDC has acquired Ufi and its subsidiary e-teaching organisation Learndirect from the Ufi Charitable Trust.
Augur Capital to buy Ageas’ German life insurance division
Augur Capital has signed an agreement to buy the German life insurance business from Belgian insurer Ageas Insurance International NV.
Mid-cap valuations back to pre-crisis levels
The mini-boom witnessed in the first half of this year was largely driven by a rush to put money to work – but it has left its mark on valuations, with PE paying more than corporates for assets. Greg Gille reports
H2 acquires Unipart Automotive
H2 Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in British spare parts distribution business Unipart Automotive for an undisclosed amount.
CapMan backs Walki acquisition of Meuwissen
CapMan’s portfolio company Walki Group has acquired Dutch packaging materials producer Meuwissen Industrie and construction materials distributor Meuwissen Bouwprodukten from family-owned Meuwissen Holding.
Lyceum Capital buys Adapt for £30m
Lyceum Capital has acquired IT service provider Adapt for £30m.
UK watch: Mixed feelings in Q3
In line with current public market activity, figures in the latest unquote" UK Watch, in association with Corbett Keeling, also paint a mixed picture.
Sentica backs Descom acquisition of Konehuone
Sentica's portfolio company Descom has acquired server and data storage provider Konehuone with the intention to merge.
Electra buys LDC-backed Davies Group for £60m
Electra Partners has acquired claims management specialist Davies Group from LDC for £60m.
Dearth of mega buyouts in Germany
While France, the UK, Sweden and Italy have completed multiple deals over the €1bn mark in 2011, Germany is lagging behind. Susannah Birkwood finds out why
BPEP acquires 48% of ADELTE Group and EFS
Baring Private Equity Partners (BPEP) has acquired a 48% stake in Spain’s ADELTE Group and Equipo Facility Services (EFS) for an estimated €9m.
Silverfleet invests in Aesica Pharmaceuticals
Silverfleet Capital has acquired a majority stake in biotechnology company Aesica Pharmaceuticals from LDC.
Astorg buys Microconnections from Bain's FCI
Astorg Partners has acquired Microconnections from French connectors manufacturer FCI, a portfolio company of Bain Capital.
Buyout firms get to grips with pension risks
Pension liabilities are of increasing concern to buyout practitioners, who need to mitigate risks and ensure they can reach agreement with stakeholders.
Polaris backs Scandinavian Track Group MBO
Polaris has acquired a majority stake in railway service and maintenance company Scandinavian Track Group from its management and employees.
Buyout firms get to grips with pension risks
Pension liabilities are of increasing concern to buyout practitioners, who need to mitigate risks and ensure they can reach agreement with stakeholders.