Buyouts
CZECH REPUBLIC – ARX acquires Lexum with debt from LBBW
ARX Equity Partners has wholly acquired Czech opthamology clinic operator Lexum Group. The deal was backed by senior debt from LBBW Bank in the Czech Republic.
FRANCE - Avenir and SocGen support Capitaine Fracasse MBI
Avenir Entreprises and Société Générale Capital Partenaires have purchased an equal minority stake in boat restaurant operator Capitaine Fracasse in an MBI deal alongside manager Olivier Jamey.
SPAIN - Vector and Suma acquire GEC
Private equity firms Vector Capital and Suma Capital (backed by Privat Bank) have acquired education consultancy GEC from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and La Caixa.
UK - 3i reaps 4.5x on Instone sale to BPE's ATP
Barclays Private Equity-backed travel business ATP International has agreed to wholly acquire Instone International, a marine fare specialist owned by 3i, in a sale that will generate 4.5x money for the vendor according to a source close to the deal....
SWEDEN - Rite Ventures acquires Frank Dandy Superwear
Swedish private equity and venture firm, Rite Ventures, has acquired bankrupt fashion business Frank Dandy Superwear in an auction.
FRANCE - LBO France to purchase Idex
LBO France has signed an agreement with IK Investment Partners to purchase energy company Idex.
UK - LDC backs £17m MBO of Cranswick Pet & Aquatics
LDC has agreed to support the ТЃ17m management buyout of bird and fish food supplier Cranswick Pet & Aquatics from listed food producer Cranswick plc.
GERMANY - Waterland backs A-ROSA MBO
Waterland Private Equity has backed the MBO of river cruise ship company A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH.
SWEDEN - CapMan acquires Metals and Powders
CapMan has acquired a majority stake in the family-owned business Metals and Powders Holding AB (MPH).
UK - Axa interested in Hutton-backed JHA
Axa Private Equity is known to be one of four bidders that have submitted a first round offer for James Hull Associates (JHA), a cosmetic and specialist dental chain that is backed by mezzanine house Hutton Collins.
SWEDEN - KKR et al. back buy-back of Skype
Private equity groups KKR, Warburg Pincus, Providence, and Elevation Partners are reportedly backing Skype founders Niklas Zennstrom and Jannus Friis in their bid to re-acquire the global telecommunications company from eBay.
GERMANY – Perusa acquires Karlie Heimtierbedarf GmbH
Perusa Partners has, together with the management, wholly acquired pet products company Karlie Heimtierbedarf GmbH. Perusa made the investment via Perusa Partners I.
FRANCE - Althera and Sopromec acquire Clairvoie
Althera Capital and Sopromec have acquired specialty food retailer Clairvoie in a secondary buyout, alongside the company's manager Bruno Madelaine.
NETHERLANDS - H2 Equity Partners interested in Golden Tulip
According to reports, Dutch private equity firm H2 Equity Partners would be among those interested in acquiring struggling hotel chain Golden Tulip.
UK- MBO in the cards for Robert Dyas
Reports suggest that hardware retailer Robert Dyas is in talks with its main backer Lloyds TSB over a potential management buyout.
GERMANY – S-UBG backs MBO of Jouhsen-bündgens
S-UBG AG has alongside management increased its stake in portfolio company Jouhsen-bündgens Maschinenbau GmbH to 100%, acquiring outstanding shares from the company's founder.
GERMANY – IPIC acquires 70% of MAN Ferrostaal
The International Petroleum Investment Company of Abu Dhabi (IPIC) has acquired 70% of the shares of MAN Ferrostaal AG from MAN AG, which retains a 30% stake. MAN Ferrostaal will continue as an independent company.
UK- RCapital buys distressed Morses Club
Private investment boutique RCapital has acquired home collected credit provider Morses Club from Ernst & Young's administrators of London Scottish Finance Limited for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY - Pamplona backs all-equity buyout of automotive supplier
Pamplona Capital Management has, alongside the senior management team of the business, acquired automotive supplier TMD Friction from insolvency in an all-equity transaction.
UK - BPE to buy Kaboose's UK operations in £54m deal
Barclays Private Equity has agreed to acquire Canadian family-focused online media company Kaboose's UK business, Bounty Group Ltd, in a deal valued at ТЃ54m.
SWEDEN - Axcel acquires LGT from Litorina
Axcel has, alongside management, acquired logistics business LGT from Swedish private equity firm Litorina for an undisclosed sum.
UK - MML Capital backs £31m Vanguard MBO
MML Capital Partners has backed the ТЃ31m management buyout of surgical and diagnostic facility provider Vanguard Healthcare Solutions, providing a mezzanine loan alongside a significant equity investment.
Buyout focus - Southern European sunshine
As Europe licks its fresh wounds, Italy and Portugal are making hey, but can the sunshine last in Southern Europe or will the storm clouds from the rest of Europe blow in? By Francinia Protti-Alvarez