Buyouts
UK - Morrison a possible target for Texas Pacific, CVC and Permira
The Observer reported yesterday that private equity groups are weighing up an offer for supermarket group WM Morrison.
NL- Apax Partners courts Endemol
Apax Partners is thought to be considering a possible EUR 1bn for Dutch quoted company Endemol. The private equity firm, which failed to purchase ITV earlier this year, could set up a consortium to buy Telefonica’s stake in Endemol.
UK - Gresham backs MBO of Swift Technical Group
Gresham has backed the management buyout of Swift Technical Group, the market leader in global recruitment and relocation focused on the oil and gas sector.
SPAIN - Madrigal Participaciones buys El Arbol from CVC
Madrigal Participaciones has recently agreed to buy 80% the supermarket chain El Arbol, from the private equity firm CVC in a transaction worth approximately EUR 54m. The company’s general manager, Juan Pascual, will retain the remaining 20% shareholding....
UK - Permira fended off as AGH Venice ups bid for De Vere
AGH Venice, the bidding vehicle formed by Marylebone Warwick Balfour Hotel directors and HBOS's Uberior Ventures has increased its offer for UK hotelier and health club operator De Vere Group.
UK - Barclays Ventures backs MBO of portable accommodation hirers
Barclays Ventures has backed a ТЃ11m management buyout of Rollalong Hire from the Newman family. In the year to 31 December 2006 Rollalong Hire is expected to achieve an EBITDA of ТЃ2.5m. The deal was entirely funded by Barclays Ventures and having secured...
SWEDEN - ABN AMRO plans buy-and-build strategy as Loparex acquires Douglas-Hanson
ABN AMRO Capital has announced that its portfolio company Loparex will acquire Douglas-Hanson, a leading supplier of film and paper-based release liners.
FRANCE - FPG-LFPI buys Brittany biscuit maker
Lazard's private equity fund managers FPG-LFPI have acquired 100% of Traou Mad.
NORWAY - NORWAY-FSV V acquires 14 unlisted holdings from Aggregate Media I KB & II NORDIC KB
FSV V has acquired a portfolio of 14 unlisted holdings from Aggregate Media I KB & NORDIC KB, in line with its strategy to become leading portfolio acquirer in the Nordic region.
UK - ISIS backs secondary MBO of Enigma Holidays Group
ISIS Equity Partners has backed the secondary management buy-out of Enigma Holidays Group Ltd, which trades as Esprit Ski and Total Ski. Together they are the UKтs leading specialist ski operator, providing both family skiing as well as a range of quality...
UK - Permira to make late entry bid for De Vere Group?
According to the Times today Permira is to make a late entry into the bidding for De Vere Group, the operator of the Village Hotels & Leisure Clubs brand and the Greens health club. The board of the group has already recommended an offer from Richard...
UK - LDC buys telecoms tester in £30m deal
LDC has backed the management buyout of Microlease, the European market leader for the rental and leasing of electronic test and measurement equipment. Microlease provides a wide range of general purpose test equipment such as oscilloscopes and data acquisition...
UK - Thames Water opens its books for Terra Firma
The first round of bidding for Thames Water is expected shortly, after the Independent on Sunday reported RWE, the owner of Thames Water, will open the books of the company this week. It is understood that Terra Firma are interested in the deal and face...
FRANCE - Direct Energie receives additional funding
Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE), CITA Gestion and NBGI Ventures have renewed their commitments in the third round financing of Direct Energie. As a result of the transaction, industrial Group Louis Dreyfus takes a two third equity stake, financial...
UK - Matrix backs £20m helicopter MBO
Matrix Private Equity Partners has backed the ТЃ20m secondary mangement buyout of British International Limited (BIL). Jonathan Gregory of Matrix led a syndicate comprising Finance Cornwall and Chrysalis VCT that has invested ТЃ5m of equity in the helicopter...
SPAIN - Mercapital acquires Cinebox
The cinema chain Abaco, backed by the private equity firm Mercapital, has agreed to buy Cinebox from the entertainement group GMR in a deal reportedly worth around EUR 60m.
Egypt - Buyout of Amoun pharmaceuticals valued at $451m
The largest private equity transaction outside of the privatisation process is due to take place in Egypt. According to the Financial Times today, a US consortium including Citigroup and Capital International, will take a 93% stake in Amoun, a pharmaceutical...
GERMANY - Triton makes two buyouts in two weeks
Triton Advisers has acquired Basler, a producer of women's clothing for age 40 and over. The deal follows the announcement last week that Triton had acquired Dematic from Siemens for an undisclosed sum.
CROATIA - Mid Europa makes first Croatian investment
Central and Eastern European investor Mid Europa Partners has made its first investment in Croatia with its acquisition of Heidelberger Calcium Aluminates (HCA).
SWEDEN - Industri Kapital to acquire ELFA AB for approximately €130m
Stockholm based ELFA AB, which has been owned and managed by the Jensen Family since 1945, will now be acquired by Industri Kapital following the signing of an agreement.
UK - Exponent Private Equity buys Trainline in £163m deal
Exponent Private Equity has announced the acquisition of Trainline, the leading online and call-centre rail retailer and information provider in the UK for ТЃ163m.
UK - Bank of Scotland Corporate backs MBO of VUE
Vue Entertainment, the UK's leading developer and operator of state-of-the-art cinemas, was yesterday sold by its controlling private equity shareholders to a management buyout team in partnership with Bank of Scotland Corporate, through its Integrated...
FRANCE - Acto acquires warehouse storage company
Acto has backed the LBO of Locabri, for an undisclosed sum.
ITALY - Clessidra acquires Fratelli Elia
The fund Clessidra has recently purchased Fratelli Elia from the brothers Maurizio and Raffaele Elia for an undisclosed sum, according to the news agency Radiocor.