Buyouts
Mid-market stats focus - Everyone needs boundaries
Professionals concur that the mid-market is the true engine of European private equity growth. But what are the boundaries? By Matthew Craig-Greene and Patrick Adefuye, IE Consulting
Buyout outlook - 2009 already written off
Europe will not see signs of a return to economic health until 2010 at best, suggests a new survey. By Mareen Goebel
AUSTRIA - Quadriga and Lead Equities in talks over Palmers sale
Rumours suggest that Quadriga Capital and Lead Equities are in talks with an Italian strategic investor to exit lingerie company Palmers.
ITALY - Apax, Bain and CVC interested in Safilo Group
It is understood that Apax Partners, Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners could be among the private equity firms interested in investing in eyeware maker Safilo Group.
UK - Falcon interested in Chelsea
Reports suggest that an international consortium of investors, including Swiss investor Falcon Equity and Abu Dhabi United Group, are considering a bid for UK Premier League football club Chelsea.
UK - HIG acquires FNZ Holdings
HIG Europe has acquired financial services company FNZ Holdings Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY - DPE acquires bakery business
DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH has acquired bakery chain Bäckerei Wilhelm Middelberg GmbH for an undisclosed amount.
CZECH – Royalton acquires ACTIV
Royalton Partners has acquired a 67.5% stake in Czech parking operator ACTIV AS.
CZECH - Benson acquires BTV
Benson Oak Capital has acquired automotive plastics parts producer BTV Plast.
SPAIN - Thesan to acquire Aurgi
According to reports, Thesan Capital is poised to acquire auto repair shop Aurgi from AC Desarrollo for a cash consideration of EUR 4.7m plus the stocks held in the 26 of the 29 stores they intend on purchasing, which could amount to an additional EUR...
SWITZERLAND - Cross acquires Schwab Verkehrstechnik AG
Cross has acquired rolling stock technology company Schwab Verkehrstechnik AG from Schwab Holding AG for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY - Alster Equity Partners and WMS back GEMAC MBO
Alster Equity Partners GmbH (AEP), alongside Wachstumsfonds Mittelstand Sachsen (WMS) and company management, acquired micro electronics company GEMAC Gesellschaft für Mikroelektronikanwendung Chemnitz mbH (GEMAC).
GERMANY - Private equity said to be interested in HeidelbergCement
According to reports, Goldman Sachs, TPG, Bain Capital and PAI partners are among several large buyout firms considering an investment in building materials company HeidelbergCement, which is said to be struggling with its debt after the takeover of British...
UK - CVC interested in Royal Mail
Reports suggest that CVC Capital Partners is interested in taking a stake in postal operator Royal Mail.
LUXEMBOURG - IDeA acquires Blue Skye
IDeA Alternative Investments and DeA Capital have acquired Blue Skye Investment Group from DB Zwirn together with management. The vendor retains a minority stake in the company.
FRANCE - AXA PE purchases 16.7% stake in Lusis
AXA Private Equity has acquired parts of Fairchild's shareholding in software company Lusis. Following the transaction, AXA PE will hold a 16.7% stake in the company.
LUXEMBOURG - AFINUM acquires Wallenborn
German private equity house AFINUM Management GmbH has acquired transport logistics firm Wallenborn Group in a deal valued at EUR 25-50m.
FRANCE - MIDI Capital stage MBI of Savco
MIDI Capital has alongside new manager Bruno Duval and two private individuals supported an MBI of Savco, a provider of metallic structures for hydroelectric plants, by taking a minority stake in the company. The deal values the business at EUR 3-5m....
GERMANY - Aheim acquires Remy & Geiser
Aheim Capital has acquired pharmaceutical packaging Remy & Geiser GmbH, together with the new CEO, Christoph Hanschke, and the existing management team, for an undisclosed sum.
UK - AFM supports £4m buyout of ISP
Alliance Fund Managers (AFM), through the MSIF Venture Fund, has invested ТЃ1.1m to support the ТЃ4m management buyout of International Safety Products (ISP), a manufacturer of inflatable marine lifejackets.
UK - AFM backs Hi-Craft acquisition
Alliance Fund Managers (AFM), through the MSIF Mezzanine Fund, has provided a mezzanine loan of ТЃ250,000 to support the management buyout of pet accessories manufacturer Petlife Ventures, which trades as Hi-Craft.
NETHERLANDS - PE interested in Essent
Market rumour suggests that private equity firms such as CVC and KKR have shown interest in acquiring Dutch waste management company Essent Waste, which has been put up for sale by its parent company.
SPAIN - Prince acquires Image
According to reports, Prince Capital Partners has acquired corporate communications firm Image Group alongside two of the firm's managers, Victor Sanchez de Real and Enrique Pascual.